Legendary actress Marla Gibbs, 94, graced the red carpet on June 26, 2025, for a SAG-AFTRA Foundation event in Los Angeles. She made a rare public appearance alongside her great-granddaughter, actress Obriella Genesis Witron.
Marla Gibbs became a household name through her iconic roles as Florence Johnston in The Jeffersons and Mary Jenkins in 227. As the sharp-tongued maid on The Jeffersons from 1975 to 1985, Gibbs delivered witty one-liners and often sparred humorously with George Jefferson. Her performance earned her five Emmy nominations and solidified her place as TV history.
When The Jeffersons concluded, Gibbs transitioned to 227, where she starred as the lead, Mary Jenkins, from 1985 to 1990. She not only fronted the series but also served as an uncredited executive producer and sang the show’s theme song. Gibbs’s work on these sitcoms brought Black stories to mainstream television, addressing each episode with humor and heart. On the set of 227, Gibbs mentored a young Regina King, who has since become an Oscar-winning actress.
At the Short Film Showcase, Gibbs and Witron posed for photos, highlighting a multi-generational presence in the entertainment industry. Witron, an emerging actress, has already built an impressive resume, including roles in short films like Mildred 4 a Million and Legend of El Cucuy. Mildred 4 a Million features both Gibbs and Witron, with Gibbs playing a gregarious woman seeking to connect with her tablet-obsessed great-granddaughter by pursuing a million TikTok followers.
