Berlinda Tolbert (born November 4, 1949) [1][2][3] is an American film and television actress. Tolbert is best known for her role as Jenny Willis Jefferson, the daughter of Tom and Helen Willis on the CBS sitcom The Jeffersons, which originally aired from 1975 until 1985.
Berlinda Tolbert | |
|---|---|
Tolbert in 1975 | |
| Born | November 4, 1949[1][2][3] |
| Education | University of North Carolina School of the Arts |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1973–2013 |
| Known for | Jenny Willis Jefferson – The Jeffersons |
| Spouse |
Bob Reid (m. 1979) |
Early life and education
editTolbert majored in theater at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem.[4] She also studied drama in London.[5]
Career
editIn a 2013 interview, Tolbert stated, "I've only had one job in my entire life... professional actress."[6] She got her first film part from Martin Scorsese in Mean Streets in 1973, when she was in acting school.[6]
The Jeffersons
editOn The Jeffersons, Tolbert played Jenny, the daughter of interracial couple Tom and Helen Willis. Jenny had become engaged to Lionel Jefferson, the son of George and Louise, when they were still characters on Norman Lear's "All In The Family". They married and had a daughter. Tolbert played the role of Jenny for the run of the series, from 1975 to 1985.[7] Tolbert was born just one day after Mike Evans (1949–2006), the original actor who played her boyfriend/husband Lionel. They were also both born in North Carolina. As of December 2023[update], Tolbert, Marla Gibbs, Jay Hammer and Damon Evans (Lionel #2) are the last surviving members of The Jeffersons main cast.
Later career
editIn 1981, Tolbert competed for the CBS team on Battle of the Network Stars.[8] In 1983, Tolbert starred in the Maya Angelou play On A Southern Journey.[9] Following the cancellation of The Jeffersons in 1985, Tolbert appeared in films including Harlem Nights, Goodfellas, and Patriot Games, and television shows including ER, Six Feet Under, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.[10] Tolbert appeared in the 2011 indie film Last Ride on the Midwest Pacific.[6]
Personal life
editTolbert married journalist Bob Reid in 1979.[11]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Airport 1975 | Anne | Uncredited/ film debut |
| 1989 | Beverly Hills Brats | Nina | |
| 1989 | Harlem Nights | Annie | |
| 1990 | Goodfellas | Berlinda | |
| 1992 | Patriot Games | Sissy | |
| 1994 | Dangerous Touch | Sasha Taylor | |
| 2004 | Strange Fruit | Emma Ayers | |
| 2007 | Live! | Clarissa Boyd | |
| 2011 | Last Ride on the Midwest Pacific | Angeline |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | That's My Mama | Polly Carstairs | Episode: Clifton's Dubious Romance |
| 1974 | Sanford and Son | Delores | Episode: Sanford and Niece |
| 1974 | The Streets of San Francisco | Chris Jackson | Episode: For Good or Evil |
| 1975 | All in the Family | Jenny Willis | Episode: The Jeffersons Move on Up |
| 1975 | Mannix | Jobina Rogell | Episode: Chance Meeting |
| 1975 | S.W.A.T. | Joanne Wyatt | Episode: Death Score |
| 1975 | Police Woman | Lily Thomas | Episode: The Chasers |
| 1975-1985 | The Jeffersons | Jenny Willis Jefferson / Jenny Willis | 66 episodes |
| 1981-1984 | Fantasy Island | Sandy Hoffman / Linda Bell / Billie Joe | 3 episodes |
| 1981-1985 | The Love Boat | Lynda Miles / Patty Phelps | 2 episodes |
| 1983 | Matt Houston | Janey Lennox | Episode: The Rock and the Hard Place |
| 1984 | Airwolf | Lea Logana | Episode: And They Are Us |
| 1985 | Hotel | Michelle Todd | Episode: Resolutions |
| 1987 | Amen | Darlene | Episode: Thelma's Reunion |
| 1990 | Gabriel's Fire | Shelly | Episode: To Catch a Con: Part 2 |
| 1990 | Jake and the Fatman | Sharon Lee | Episode: Goodbye |
| 1993 | FBI: The Untold Stories | Mary Smith | Episode: Mary |
| 1997 | Sabrina, The Teenage Witch | Mrs. Hecht | Episode: The Crucible |
| 1998 | 7th Heaven | Ms. Hanover | Episode: It Takes Two, Baby |
| 1998 | The Army Show | Phyliss Henchy | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Home Improvement | Noreen | Episode: The Long and Winding Road: Part 1 |
| 2001 | Dead Last | Yolanda | Episode: The Problem with Corruption |
| 2003 | Half & Half | Denise | Episode: The Big Forbidden Fruit Episode |
| 2004 | ER | Nancy Natarelli | Episode: Blood Relations |
| 2004 | Strong Medicine | Episode: Cinderella in Scrubs | |
| 2005 | Six Feet Under | Debra | Episode: Time Flies |
| 2007 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Barbara | Episode: Leapin' Lizards |
References
edit- ^ a b "Berlinda Tolbert". rottentomatoes.com. Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Happy Birthday to Berlinda Tolbert". facebook.com/soultvofficial. Soul TV. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Actress Berlinda Tolbert". blackhistorydaily.com. Black History Daily. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
- ^ "Jeffersons' Jenny Has A 'Guardian Angel' She'd Like To Thank - If Possible". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. July 21, 1977. pp. 62–63. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ Louie Robinson (January 1976). "The Jeffersons: A look at life on black America's new 'Striver's Row'". Ebony. p. 115. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ a b c Deanna Martin-Osuagwu (November 5, 2013). "What ever happened to... Berlinda Tolbert?". Jet. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ Kathleen Fearn-Banks (August 4, 2009). The A to Z of African-American Television. Scarecrow Press. pp. 205, 220, 440. ISBN 9780810863484. Retrieved December 20, 2016.
- ^ "Battle of the Netowrk Stars XI". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved January 22, 2017.
- ^ "Berlinda Tolbert Stars In Maya Angelou Play". Jet. Johnson Publishing Company. December 19, 1983. p. 61. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ "Remembering the Cast of The Jeffersons". BET. January 2015. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ "Berlinda Tolbert, Los Angeles, Bob Reid, New York". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. March 1986. p. 160. Retrieved December 16, 2016.