Jane Wyman was also said to be another one of her idols.
A movie and musical buff.
A young girl of the 1940s, she would watch frequently watch movies, among her idols were those of: Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Joan Fontaine, Clark Gable, Tyrone Power and Vivien Leigh.
After Norman Lear found out "The Jeffersons" (1975) was abruptly cancelled, Gibbs was finally free to star in her own series, "227" (1985).
All of her children were born and raised in Detroit, Michigan.
Because of her busy work schedule, she had never seen not a single episode of "All in the Family" (1968), before being casted on "The Jeffersons" (1975), which that show spun-off.
Before "227" (1985) co-star, Regina King, played Gibbs's TV daughter in both the play and the series, she was a childhood television heroine of Gibbs.
Before she was an actress, she did everything from working at a bookbinding company to a mail clerk in the mailroom.
Best known by the public for her role as Florence Johnston on "The Jeffersons" (1975) and for her starring role as Mary Jenkins on "227" (1985).
Changed her name from Margaret Bradley to Marla Gibbs, this was because her name was too long. She wanted to go with the ebb and flow of her newly, rechristened name.
Composed the "227" (1985) theme song, "There's No Place Like Home".
Didn't start acting until she was 41.
Enjoys cooking, praying, sewing, reading the Bible, movies, playing tennis, traveling, singing, listening to jazz music, spending time with her family and acting.
From an early age, she was a dog lover.
Graduated from Wendell Phillips High School in Chicago, Illinois, in 1949.
Had a crush on William Marshall.
Had briefly left her role on "The Jeffersons" (1975), during the seventh season to star in the spin-off series that flopped. She returned to "The Jeffersons" (1975) after her own series got canceled.
Had surgery for her broken foot in 2010.
Has every episode of "Pryor's Place" (1984), on videotape. She made a guest-appearance on the show.
Her "227" (1985) co-star, Jackée Harry, was one of the actresses to visit Alaina Reed-Hall in the hospital, just before her death. Reed played Gibbs's best friend on "227" (1985).