Fifty years ago, The Jeffersons premiered on CBS and the title characters stepped into the spotlight. A spin-off of the hit series All in the Family, The Jeffersons followed Isabel Sanford’s Louise and Sherman Hemsley’s George after they move from Queens to Manhattan, thanks to the success of George’s dry-cleaning chain. The cast included Roxie Roker and Franklin Cover, and, later, Marla Gibbs joined full-time.
The series, which is considered one of the most influential Black shows of all time, ultimately ran from Jan. 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985, with 11 seasons of laughs and love. And in the show’s 253 episodes, the cast was joined by plenty of guest stars. They include both some of the biggest celebrities of the ‘70s and ‘80s, as well as actors early in their careers who later became household names. Ahead, revisit some of The Jeffersons’ most memorable guest stars.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Before Sheryl Lee Ralph became a star in Dreamgirls, the Abbott Elementary actress guest-starred in a season 5 episode of The Jeffersons, in which she played Louise’s secretary. Speaking to Philly Mag in 2024, Ralph said, “My first television episodic was The Jeffersons, and Sherman Hemsley and I stayed in touch over the years, and he played my dad in Designing Women. I’m one for relationships, for keeping people in my life.”
Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams appeared as himself in the season 5 episode “Me and Billy Dee.” Gibbs, 93, told the Archive of American Television in 2006 that this episode was one of her favorites, calling it “a classic.” She said, “He was such a great performer. Also, I never had a crush on him before, but I did after the episode.” After every episode, the cast would stay to greet the audience, and she was impressed that Williams stayed until the very end.
Jaleel White
Jaleel White is now known for his role as Steve Urkel on Family Matters, but his first acting role was as piano prodigy Van Van Morris on The Jeffersons.
“At that age, I’m just wide-eyed and just can’t believe I’m at a table reading with George Jefferson and Florence and Mr. Willis,” he told Vanity Fair in 2011. “It was amazing and it was surreal. I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. I was just being a cute kid. That was such a fun week and I remember Sherman Hemsley being so nice to me.” He noted that he was “really proud” that he’d been working in TV for more than 30 years.
Gladys Knight
Gladys Knight appeared as herself in the 1983 episode “The Good Life.” In the episode, she and Florence get facials at the same time, and thanks to the heavy skincare, Florence doesn’t recognize her. In a funny moment, she tells Knight that she thinks Diana Ross is the greatest singer of all time.
Garrett Morris
Garrett Morris found success thanks to his role on Saturday Night Live, but he was also dealing with an addiction to cocaine. He only kicked the habit after he left the series.
But once he was sober, he headed out to Los Angeles, and in 1983 he appeared on The Jeffersons as Jimmy for the first time. He ended up taking on a recurring role. “Sherman Hemsley was one of the most beautiful people,” he told the Archive of American Television in 2012. “It was really delightful, it was one of the greatest experiences.”
Greg Morris
Greg Morris, who died in 1996, was not related to Garrett Morris — but he played his cousin in a multi-part episode of The Jeffersons called “Mission: Incredible.” That was a reference to Greg’s most iconic role as Barney Collier in the television series Mission: Impossible.
Helen Martin
Helen Martin guest-starred in the 1983 episode “I Do, I Don’t.” The actress, who died in 2000, was already known for her role as Wanda Williams on Good Times and would also go on to join the cast of 227.
Sister Sledge
In the 1984 episode titled “My Guy, George,” Florence convinces George to become the manager of a struggling singing group. That group was played by Sister Sledge. The sisters — Joni, Kim, Debbie and Kathy Sledge — sang Stevie Wonder’s song “As.”
Hal Williams
Hal Williams appeared in the 1984 episode “Some Enchanted Evening.” In the episode, he played Prince Charming during Florence’s dream sequence. Just one year later, her dreams — sort of — came true: Gibbs and Williams, 86, played husband and wife on the beloved sitcom 227.
Mabel King
Mabel King also appeared in the episode “Some Enchanted Evening.” King, who starred in the sitcom What’s Happening!! and the stage musical and movie The Wiz, also appeared in Scrooged and Dead Men Don’t Die before her death in 1999.
Joe Frazier
Boxer Joe Frazier appeared in a 1985 episode in which the Jeffersons travel to Atlantic City. He wasn’t the only celebrity, either: The episode also featured Phyllis Diller, Charo, Engelbert Humperdinck, Helen Reddy and Michael Spinks. The Los Angeles Times reported at the time that showrunners on The Jeffersons, fearing cancelation, were trying to raise ratings with more guest stars. In another episode that season, five real-life Playboy Playmates appeared.
