It’s about time!
Actress Marla Gibbs is set to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, The Grio reports.
Gibbs is an iconic actress known for her roles as Florence Jefferson on The Jeffersons and Mary Jenkins on the series 227, both of which captured the cultural zeitgeist of an entire generation. While she is a household name in Black homes across the country, Hollywood has been slow to give the actress the praise she most certainly deserves. Now, they’re finally catching up, Gibbs being announced as a recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
90-year-old Gibbs took to social media to share the great news, reposting a meme that read, “Why don’t we celebrate Marla Gibbs the way we do Betty White?”
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In the following slide, Gibbs replies to the meme via video, saying, “Hello, Marla Gibbs here. I understand you were asked why didn’t you celebrate me the way you celebrate Betty White? Well, guess what, you do celebrate me, and you love me, and you support me. And that’s why I am getting a star on Hollywood Boulevard, chile, on July 20th at 11:30 a.m. Yes, because of you.”
She went on to add how important the fans are to this historic accomplishment, saying that “nobody would even know [her] name” if it wasn’t for the fans.
“I truly appreciate all of your support and love. I do feel celebrated, and I’m receiving a star on the Hollywood walk of fame, thanks to you,” Gibbs wrote in the caption.
She thanked the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, her family, and actress Regina King for helping to see the award through. Gibbs was immediately inundated with throws of congratulations and support, including from actress Tisha Campbell.
Omg omg omg you guys!!!! @marlagibbs4real is FINALLY getting her #staronthewalkoffame SHE IS SO DESERVING, it’s about DAGGONE time and I’m fan-girling OUT!!!!!! FINALLY! https://t.co/jOZCqO5g6i
— TishaCampbell (@TishaCampbell) July 12, 2021
Super Awesome she is a funny lady and very deserving of her STar ⭐️ ⭐️Congratulations @MarlaGibbs4Real
Yassss @TishaCampbell— Elaine (@Elaine21731472) July 12, 2021
@MarlaGibbs4Real is getting a star on the Hollywood #WalkOfFame!!!
See you all on July 20 at 11:30 a.m. #ThursdayMotivation #TBT #ThursdayTreat https://t.co/rw0ApbPZ4K— Brian J. Patterson (@BJPsTweets) July 15, 2021
So deserving. I’m shocked that this is just happening. Thank you Ms. Marla Gibbs. She’s inspired every artist I know. https://t.co/4VQrSqBRgN
— Jamall Filmmaker (@mymindinspace) July 13, 2021
We love to see Marla Gibbs getting her flowers https://t.co/dD3mJu55CT
— kweliTV (@kweliTV) July 13, 2021
good! but shoulda happened long ago. how Gibbs didn’t win 1 Emmy on 5 nominations for her role as Florence on The Jeffersons is plus there’s 227. and: role model for Regina King. owner: Marla’s Memory Lane Jazz Club in 1980s L.A. i’ll let her tell it https://t.co/YHds0SNi7t https://t.co/30kL9VXNZW
— Danyel Smith (@danamo) July 13, 2021
Marla Gibbs finally gets a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — 40 years after her first Emmy nomination pic.twitter.com/9G7C9FkvtG
— (@willmckinley) July 12, 2021
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Gibbs joins the 2021 Walk of Fame class alongside honorees August Wilson, Don Cheadle, Morris Chestnut, Nick Cannon, Jenifer Lewis, Judge Greg Mathis, Salt-N-Pepa, Missy Elliott, and radio legend Big Boy.
Congratulations, Ms. Marla Gibbs! Because of you, we can!
Photo Courtesy of Paras Griffin/WireImage