Florence Johnston
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| Florence Johnston | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | "A Friend In Need" |
| Last appearance | "I Done, Part 2" |
| Created by | Norman Lear |
| Portrayed by | Marla Gibbs |
| Episode count | 253 (The Jeffersons) 4 (Checking In) 1 (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) |
| Information | |
| Date of birth | October 9 1935 |
| Date of death | still alive as of 1985 |
| Occupation | Maid and Housekeeper |
| Family | Dora Johnston (mother) Fred Johnston (father) Ernie (cousin) Rhonda (cousin) |
Florence Johnston is a supporting character on the television shows The Jeffersons and its short-lived spinoff Checking In, and she was portrayed by Marla Gibbs. Florence appeared throughout its run in 1975 until 1985 when the series was cancelled. Marla Gibbs role of Florence became regular in 1977 during the fourth season of the show [1].
Florence was hired as a maid for George and Louise Jefferson. Originally, she was a recurring character; it was explained that she worked for the Jeffersons only a few days a week. Gibbs' character was popular, and she began appearing in more episodes.
In the episode "Louise Gets Her Way" (aired early in the third season), Florence moved in as a full-time maid after Florence explains to Louise that she had been evicted from her apartment building, which was scheduled to be razed. George, who is already tired of Florence's wisecracks and has not been consulted on allowing her to live with them, finds out and not only fires Florence, he kicks her out. However, Florence — thanks to her constant eavesdropping on phone conversations — is able to save George from falling victim to a crooked business deal, and he agrees to let her stay.
Florence and George often exchanged wisecracks, especially in the early years of the show. She usually took Louise's side when Louise and George argued. In later years, she found creative ways to avoid doing any work. Below is a good example:
- The doorbell rings.
Louise: "Aren't you going to answer that?"
Florence: "You're closer."
In one episode, George fired Florence. He allowed her to come back and she acted like a slave. While George enjoyed the game at first, he began trying to avoid her. She appeared on the screen dressed in a slave costume from the nineteenth century. When George finally had enough and apologized, she told him, "And don't you ever make me do that again, you hear?"
When George had a potential client (a hotel owner) at his apartment to schmooze, Florence's wisecracks caused the visitor to offer her a job overseeing the housekeepers at his hotel. This was how they introduced the spinoff show Checking In. After only four episodes, Checking In was cancelled. Florence returned to The Jeffersons. On the show, it was mentioned that the hotel burned down.
In later years, the relationship between George and Florence improved, to the point that George included her in his will and put money away for her retirement. Marla Gibbs won an NAACP Image Award for work on the sitcom in 1982.
The Jeffersons | |
|---|---|
| Characters | George Jefferson • Louise Jefferson • Lionel Jefferson • Olivia Jefferson • Jenny Willis Jefferson • Florence Johnston • Tom and Helen Willis • Harry Bentley • Allan Willis |
| Episodes | Episode list • Two-part episodes |
| Related series | All in the Family • Maude • Archie Bunker's Place • Gloria • 704 Hauser • Good Times • Checking In |
