LOS ANGELES — Marla Gibbs caused a brief scare while receiving her star for the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but the star of “The Jeffersons” said it was the excitement of the moment that caused her to nearly faint during Tuesday’s ceremony.
Gibbs, 90, who played maid Florence Johnston in 207 episodes of “The Jeffersons” from 1975 to 1985, was giving her acceptance speech when she closed her eyes and stopped talking, the Los Angeles Times reported. A moment of pause turned into concern, and a man wearing a mask who had been in her group of guests moved forward to keep Gibbs from falling, according to CNN.
Gibbs’ daughter was able to get the actress to take a breath and cool down, KABC reported.
Congratulations to the lovely and incredible Marla Gibbs for receiving a long-deserved star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It’s an honor and a privilege to be your neighbor. pic.twitter.com/5Y85xsH04T
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) July 21, 2021
The ceremony then resumed, according to the television station.
“It’s only because of you that they know me,” Gibbs said to director Norman Lear, who created “The Jeffersons.” “Thank you so much.
“And thank you to all of you who have been fans of ‘The Jeffersons’ and ’227.’ We love you and it’s because you watched us that we were able to excel, and I’m able to be here today. Thank you. And I want to give special thanks to my daughter and my grandson for all the hard work that went into putting this event together.”
A representative for the five-time Emmy Award nominee told Entertainment Weekly that Gibbs was “doing great” after the ceremony.
>> ‘Jeffersons’ Marla Gibbs receiving star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
“I never thought it would happen, but here it is,” Gibbs told KABC after the ceremony. “I just got overwhelmed for a minute. I haven’t been excited until this moment.”
During her day in the sun, Gibbs posed for photographs and listened to Lear, actor Tisha Campbell and Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell praise her long career, the Times reported.
“There is only one you, ma’am, and I am thrilled to be here for you. Love you,” Lear told Gibbs. “You have added time to my life, and for that I could not be more grateful.”
Gibbs also starred as Mary Jenkins on “227,” which aired from 1985 to 1990.
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