Armed with an acid dry wit and a full arsenal of sarcasm and sass, African-American character comedienne Marla Gibbs showed up on 70s TV with a bang in middle age (44). Landing the feisty maid role on the popular ground-breaking CBS comedy, The Jeffersons(1975), eventually led to her very own sitcom, 227 (1985), a decade later and international celebrity. A divorced mother with three children (Angela Elayne Gibbs, Dorian, Joseph) at the time of her initial success, it was a job transfer from Detroit to Los Angeles, while working as a United Airlines reservation clerk, that set up this more-than-welcome surprise and change of destiny.
Following high school, Marla attended Peters Business School (1950-1952) and toiled for a time as a receptionist and switchboard operator in the Detroit area. Eventually, she secured work with United Airlines. After moving to Southern California on a transfer, Marla gave acting a try and initially studied at the Mafundi Institute and Watts Writers Workshop, located in the Watts area of L.A. Bitten hard by the acting bug, she went on to appear in a number of local productions, including “Medea”, “The Amen Corner” and “The Gingerbread Lady”.
After only a couple of minor film parts, including the “blaxploitation” film, Black Belt Jones(1974), she nabbed the role of “Florence Johnston”. The maid was initially set up as a mere one-shot guest part but Marla showed the character’s potential. And, so it came to be that “Florence Johnston” became THE scene-stealing foil to Sherman Hemsley‘s equally mouthy, money-minded “George Jefferson”. Until the show became a certified hit, Marla cautiously kept her job with the Airlines. With wisecracks and Emmy nominations (totaling 5) a plenty, however, Marla never had to look back. The role of “Florence” was a natural for a spin-off series and it happened with the sitcom, Checking In (1981), in which the character becomes a housekeeper for a very swanky hotel. The show was harmed, however, by a writer’s strike before it could gain a core audience. Fortunately for Marla, she was ushered right back into the Jefferson household following its quick demise (four episodes). Two months after the last “Jeffersons” episode aired in July of 1985, “227” was included in that year’s fall schedule.
Daughter Angela Elayne Gibbs produced an award-winning play by Christine Houstonentitled “227”, with Marla as the lead, at Marla’s own local Crossroads Theatre, which the actress founded in 1981. The play was a solid hit and Marla wisely purchased the TV rights. Once “The Jeffersons” was over, she pushed for “227” as a sitcom vehicle. Producer Norman Lear gave it the green light and Marla settled right back in for another popular series ride (for NBC), this time as resident gossip “Mary Jenkins”, whose demeanor was warmer and more approachable than the feisty “Florence” character. This series, which featured spitfire Jackée Harry as vampish neighbor, “Sandra”, ran for five years.
An eight-time NAACP Image Award winner, Marla has received several honors over the years, including Essence Woman of the Year. She has not carried a series since “227”, but has been seen from time to time on other popular shows, including ER (1994), Cold Case(2003), Chappelle’s Show (2003), Judging Amy (1999), Touched by an Angel (1994), The King of Queens (1998) and Dawson’s Creek (1998). She has also had recurring roles on daytime (Passions (1999)) as well as prime-time (Pryor’s Place (1984), The Hughleys(1998)) and gave a knowing portrayal as Natalie Cole‘s mother in the heart-warming TV movie, Lily in Winter (1994).
In later years, Marla turned up again on the big screen with plucky roles in Up Against the Wall (1991), The Meteor Man (1993), Lost & Found (1999), Foolish (1999), Border to Border (1998), The Brothers (2001), and standout roles in The Visit (2000) and Stanley’s Gig (2000).
Elsewhere, Marla’s voice has been heard on the animated TV series, 101 Dalmatians: The Series (1997) and, in addition to acting, sang the theme song to the film, Stanley’s Gig(2000), “In the Memory of You”, which will be included on a CD, entitled “Scenes In Jazz”. Marla owned a jazz club for some time in South Central L.A. called “Marla’s Memory Lane, a jazz and supper club that ran from 1981 to 1999. She released her own CD of music, “It’s Never Too Late”, in May 2006, and co-wrote with Ray Colcord, the theme song to her starring series, 227 (1985).
Marla’s older sister, Susie Garrett, who co-starred on the hit sitcom, Punky Brewster(1984), died of cancer in 2002. Fully recovered after suffering a small aneurysm and stroke a few years ago, the actress recently performed in the comedy play, “Boeing-Boeing”, in Kansas City, a role created on film by the equally sarcastic Thelma Ritter, back in the 1960s.
– IMDb Mini Biography By: Gary Brumburgh / gr-home@pacbell.net
Tracee Lee Cocco was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and moved to California with her family at the age of 2. She grew up in Santa
Sharyn Wynters has always had an eye for the stage. But, her life has taken many turns, granting her the chance to evolve as a model-actress-naturopath-author-singer and champion for humanity. After high school, Sharyn entered a beauty pageant and became Miss Pennsylvania in the Miss World contest. This led to a modeling job in New York for Oleg Cassini, the world-renowned designer (and dress designer for Jacqueline Kennedy). While modeling, Sharyn met actress Bobbi Shaw, who convinced her to pursue a career in acting. As a young woman in her early twenties, she packed up her things and drove to LA-and within two weeks, she was cast as Cat Girl in the original Batman TV series . This led to a TV and film career, with credits including: The Rockford Files, Kojak, The Odd Couple, Hook Line & Sinker, Westworld, and Funny Lady. With a growing acting career, Sharyn’s life took another turn. She developed cancer and was told it would eventually take her life. Refusing to accept this, she traveled to Texas to enlist the help of Dr. William Donald Kelly. Her decision not only left her cancer-free, but also gave her a new passion. Sharyn studied dozens of healing disciplines including Metabolic Nutrition, Cranial Sacral, Acupuncture, Reflexology, Meditation, Pilates, Hypnosis, Rolfing, Feldenkrais, Yoga, and many others. She acquired a degree as a naturopath from the Clayton School of Natural healing, and a degree from the Santa Monica School of Massage Therapy. After many years as a naturopath, Sharyn decided to write a book. She is co-author of, The Pure Cure: A Complete Guide to Freeing your Life from Dangerous Toxins-a reflection of over 30 years of research into the dangers of the toxins in our modern living environment and how to avoid them. Of this part of her life Sharyn says: An important part of healing is learning to listen to your inner voice. Healing is an adventure! Illness is our body trying to teach us how to be well. Sharyn has a strong commitment to humanity and a passion for making a difference. Following the release of her book, she dedicated herself to influence as many lives as possible- in as many ways as possible. She became a popular speaker at conferences and seminars; she hosted a Talk Radio show on health and healing; and she worked with Fran Drescher, creator of the Cancer Schmancer movement (www.cancerschmancer.org). Sharyn is the recipient of the Naturopathic Doctor of the year award from the Qi Gong Congress (2011) and the Lifetime Achievement award from the Amazing Women Organization (2010). At the turn of the millennium, Sharyn asked herself, “What else have I always wanted to do that I have not already done?” The answer to that question came passionately-“…to be a torch singer of romantic jazz.” Sharyn contacted an old friend, Dini Clarke (Billie Holliday’s piano player)and began to take voice lessons. Within a year and a half she recorded her first album, “Reflections of Love.” Of this experience Sharyn says: As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to reach out and touch the souls of others. First it came through my modeling and acting, then by healing therapies. Now I am overjoyed that I can also heal through song. Then, on a Sunday morning in mid 2018, after a 40-year hiatus from acting, Sharyn was overcome with a strong desire to return to acting. She said out loud, “I want to get back into acting!” That same day, Sharyn went to a baby shower and sat next to a talent agent who asked, “Have you ever considered getting back into acting?” Within weeks, Sharyn re-connected with Bobbi Shaw-Chance (now a renowned acting teacher ) and following a showcase, was offered the starring role in Night Mistress. With the ability to captivate an audience and years of experience, Sharyn Wynters has begun yet another adventure.
