Berlinda Tolbert retired from her acting career very early on in her life for personal reasons. However, she has fond memories of her days as an actor. Here’s what she’s up to now.
On November 4, 1949, Berlinda Tolbert was born in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her birth came one day after fellow actor Mike Evans was also welcomed into the world in North Carolina.
Evans would later star beside Tolbert as her boyfriend and husband in 1975’s groundbreaking sitcom, “The Jeffersons.” The actress then starred in movies like 1990’s “Goodfellas” and 1992’s “Patriot Games.”
Berlinda Tolbert (as Jenny Willis Jefferson) in the CBS television comedy, “The Jefferson.” The show’s premier episode aired on January 18, 1975. | Photo: Getty Images
BERLINDA’S BACKGROUND
Tolbert’s passion for acting became quite evident from a very young age. She starred in a school play when she was 13 and was so good that her proud father confessed that she made a great actress.
Besides acting, the future star also learned that she loved telling stories. During a 2013 Jet Magazine interview, the actress described herself as a natural storyteller who loved human behavior.
Berlinda Tolbert in an episode of “The Love Boat” which aired on January 5, 1985. | Photo: Getty Images
HER SCHOOLING YEARS
After receiving a scholarship to study drama at the North Carolina School of Arts, the future star pursued her acting abilities. She also worked odd jobs in between to save money for a summer internship.
The internship would allow her to tour with a company in Houston or New York. Before she graduated, her school chose her to intern at one of the companies, but she didn’t have the funds for the trip.
Berlinda Tolbert on Walt Disney TV’s “Fantasy Island” aired on January 14, 1984. | Photo: Getty Images
HER “GUARDIAN ANGEL’S” WORK
Luckily, one day she found an envelope in her mailbox that had a Houston plane ticket. Not bothering to question the gift, Tolbert flew to Houston for her internship, but that wasn’t the only time her “guardian angel” surprised her.
After her graduation, a stranger called her to ask if she wanted to audition for a repertory company in Washington D.C. Tolbert took the offer and landed the role that led to her being noticed by significant agencies.
Berlinda Tolbert on Walt Disney TV’s “Fantasy Island” aired on January 14, 1984. | Photo: Getty Images
The audition opened doors for her to get roles in series like “That’s My Mama” and “Sanford and Son.” The actress didn’t know who her guardian angel was but shared her desire to meet and thank the person.
STARRING ON “THE JEFFERSONS”
“The Jeffersons” was one of the greatest television shows in American history. The CBS sitcom ran from 1975 to 1985 and featured many stars who enjoyed remarkable career success afterward.
A black-and-white promotional portrait of Berlinda Tolbert in 1975 | Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Tolbert joined the show in 1975 and played the role of Jenny Willis Jefferson, Tom and Helen Willis’ daughter. During her time on the series, her position on it evolved immensely.
After a while, she got to appear as Evans’ character, Lionel Jefferson’s girlfriend. She then became his wife and then a mother to their daughter Jessica before divorcing in the last season of the sitcom.
Berlinda Tolbert (as Jenny Willis Jefferson) in the CBS television comedy, “The Jeffersons.” The premier episode aired on January 18, 1975 |
RECALLING HER TIME ON THE SHOW
During her Jet Magazine interview, Tolbert recalled her time on “The Jeffersons” with fond memories. She praised its producer, Norman Lear, for adding the right people to create the show’s success.
Tolbert said the show was classical and iconic because of its subject matter. She explained how it was the first time in TV history that the children of a Black and White couple were portrayed.
