Jaleel White's First-Ever Role Was onThe Jeffersons, Plus 11 More Stars Who Guested on the Series, Which Turns 50 Today

Mar. 15, 2025

The cast of ‘The Jeffersons’ in 1977. From left: Berlinda Tolbert, Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, Franklin Cover, Roxie Roker and Marla Gibbs.Photo:Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

Fifty years ago,The Jeffersonspremiered on CBS and the title characters stepped into the spotlight. A spin-off of the hit seriesAll in the Family,The Jeffersonsfollowed Isabel Sanford’s Louise andSherman Hemsley’s George after they move from Queens to Manhattan, thanks to the success of George’s dry-cleaning chain. The cast includedRoxie Rokerand Franklin Cover, and, later,Marla Gibbsjoined full-time.

01of 12Sheryl Lee RalphSheryl Lee Ralph in 1989.Ron Galella/GettyBeforeSheryl Lee Ralphbecame a star inDreamgirls, theAbbott Elementaryactress guest-starred in a season 5 episode ofThe Jeffersons,in which she played Louise’s secretary. Speaking toPhilly Magin 2024, Ralph said, “My first television episodic wasThe Jeffersons, and Sherman Hemsley and I stayed in touch over the years, and he played my dad inDesigning Women. I’m one for relationships, for keeping people in my life.”

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Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph in 1989.Ron Galella/Getty

Ron Galella/Getty

BeforeSheryl Lee Ralphbecame a star inDreamgirls, theAbbott Elementaryactress guest-starred in a season 5 episode ofThe Jeffersons,in which she played Louise’s secretary. Speaking toPhilly Magin 2024, Ralph said, “My first television episodic wasThe Jeffersons, and Sherman Hemsley and I stayed in touch over the years, and he played my dad inDesigning Women. I’m one for relationships, for keeping people in my life.”

02of 12Billy Dee WilliamsFrom left: Marla Gibbs, Billy Dee Williams and Sherman Hemsley on ‘The Jeffersons’.Courtesy EverettBilly Dee Williamsappeared as himself in the season 5 episode “Me and Billy Dee.” Gibbs, 93, told theArchive of American Televisionin 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.

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Billy Dee Williams

From left: Marla Gibbs, Billy Dee Williams and Sherman Hemsley on ‘The Jeffersons’.Courtesy Everett

Courtesy Everett

Billy Dee Williamsappeared as himself in the season 5 episode “Me and Billy Dee.” Gibbs, 93, told theArchive of American Televisionin 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.

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Jaleel White

Jaleel White in 1991.Ron Galella/Getty

Jaleel Whiteis now known for his role as Steve Urkel onFamily Matters, but his first acting role was as piano prodigy Van Van Morris onThe Jeffersons.

04of 12Gladys KnightMarla Gibbs (left) and Gladys Knight in ‘The Jeffersons’ in 1983.Courtesy EverettGladys Knightappeared 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.

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Gladys Knight

Marla Gibbs (left) and Gladys Knight in ‘The Jeffersons’ in 1983.Courtesy Everett

Gladys Knightappeared 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.

05of 12Garrett MorrisGarrett Morris in 1985.CBS/GettyGarrett Morrisfound success thanks to his role onSaturday Night Live, buthe 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 onThe Jeffersonsas Jimmy for the first time. He ended up taking on a recurring role. “Sherman Hemsley was one of the most beautiful people,” he told theArchive of American Televisionin 2012. “It was really delightful, it was one of the greatest experiences.”

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Garrett Morris

Garrett Morris in 1985.CBS/Getty

CBS/Getty

Garrett Morrisfound success thanks to his role onSaturday Night Live, buthe 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 onThe Jeffersonsas Jimmy for the first time. He ended up taking on a recurring role. “Sherman Hemsley was one of the most beautiful people,” he told theArchive of American Televisionin 2012. “It was really delightful, it was one of the greatest experiences.”

06of 12Greg MorrisGreg Morris in 1967.Courtesy EverettGreg Morris, who died in 1996, was not related to Garrett Morris — but he played his cousin in a multi-part episode ofThe Jeffersonscalled “Mission: Incredible.” That was a reference to Greg’s most iconic role as Barney Collier in the television seriesMission: Impossible.

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Greg Morris

Greg Morris in 1967.Courtesy Everett

Greg Morris, who died in 1996, was not related to Garrett Morris — but he played his cousin in a multi-part episode ofThe Jeffersonscalled “Mission: Incredible.” That was a reference to Greg’s most iconic role as Barney Collier in the television seriesMission: Impossible.

07of 12Helen MartinHelen Martin in 1986.Ron Galella/GettyHelen 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 onGood Timesand would also go on to join the cast of227.

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Helen Martin

Helen Martin in 1986.Ron Galella/Getty

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 onGood Timesand would also go on to join the cast of227.

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Sister Sledge

From left: Marla Gibbs, Sherman Hemsley and Sister Sledge in ‘The Jeffersons’ in 1984.Courtesy Everett

09of 12Hal WilliamsHal Williams in 1987.Ron Galella/GettyHal 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 sitcom227.

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Hal Williams

Hal Williams in 1987.Ron Galella/Getty

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 sitcom227.

10of 12Mabel KingMabel King in 1987.Ron Galella/GettyMabel King also appeared in the episode “Some Enchanted Evening.” King, who starred in the sitcomWhat’s Happening!!and the stage musical and movieThe Wiz, also appeared inScroogedandDead Men Don’t Diebefore her death in 1999.

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Mabel King

Mabel King in 1987.Ron Galella/Getty

Mabel King also appeared in the episode “Some Enchanted Evening.” King, who starred in the sitcomWhat’s Happening!!and the stage musical and movieThe Wiz, also appeared inScroogedandDead Men Don’t Diebefore her death in 1999.

11of 12Joe FrazierFrom left: Michael Spinks, Isabel Sanford and Joe Frazier in ‘The Jeffersons’ in 1985.Courtesy EverettBoxer 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 featuredPhyllis Diller,Charo, Engelbert Humperdinck, Helen Reddy and Michael Spinks. TheLos Angeles Timesreported at the time that showrunners onThe Jeffersons, fearing cancelation, were trying to raise ratings with more guest stars. In another episode that season, five real-lifePlayboyPlaymates appeared.

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Joe Frazier

From left: Michael Spinks, Isabel Sanford and Joe Frazier in ‘The Jeffersons’ in 1985.Courtesy Everett

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 featuredPhyllis Diller,Charo, Engelbert Humperdinck, Helen Reddy and Michael Spinks. TheLos Angeles Timesreported at the time that showrunners onThe Jeffersons, fearing cancelation, were trying to raise ratings with more guest stars. In another episode that season, five real-lifePlayboyPlaymates appeared.

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Reggie Jackson

Isabel Sanford (left) and Reggie Jackson in ‘The Jeffersons’ in 1985.Courtesy Everett

source: people.com