Berlinda Tolbert (born November 4, 1949) 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.
Early life and education Tolbert majored in theater at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. She also studied drama in London.
Career In a 2013 interview, Tolbert stated, "I've only had one job in my entire life... professional actress." She got her first film part from Martin Scorsese in Mean Streets in 1973, when she was in acting school.
The Jeffersons On The Jeffersons, Tolbert played Jenny, the daughter of interracial couple Tom and Helen Willis. Jenny had become engaged, as played by a different actress, 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.
Later career In 1981, Tolbert competed for the CBS team on Battle of the Network Stars. In 1983, Tolbert starred in the Maya Angelou play On A Southern Journey. 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. Tolbert appeared in the 2011 indie film Last Ride on the Midwest Pacific.
Personal life Tolbert married journalist Bob Reid in 1979.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1974 Airport 1975 Anne Uncredited/ film debut 1989 Beverly Hills BratsNina 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 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 166 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
External links