‘Jeffersons’ star Marla Gibbs reveals how she survived near-fatal brain aneurysm

“The Jeffersons” star Marla Gibbs has revealed she suffered a brain aneurysm and stroke that nearly cost her her life.

In an excerpt from his new memoir, “It’s Never Too Late,” obtained by people magazineThe 94-year-old actress, who played sharp-tongued maid Florence Johnson in the 11-season run of the popular sitcom from 1975 to 1985, shared that she experienced a medical crisis in 2006.

Gibbs described the long and difficult recovery process, which included rehab, emotional struggles and physical relearning.

“Most people do not survive a brain aneurysm, so I knew God still had plans for me,” Gibbs wrote. “As my strength and memory returned, the more trouble I got into.”

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“Like I said before, I’m a Gemini and my mind is always curious and always working…not always for the better,” she continued.

“For example, when I was in rehab, I didn’t want to use diapers. I wanted to go to the bathroom on my own,” Gibbs said. “The bathroom was right next to my bed, so I couldn’t understand why I needed help getting there. Every time they left the room, I would sneak out of bed and throw myself on the floor.”

Gibbs starred on the popular sitcom for 11 seasons. (CBS via Getty Images)

Gibbs shared that his family eventually asked healthcare professionals to strap him to his bed. But he recalled remaining determined to regain his independence, but admitted that he began to have private doubts about his ability to fully recover.

“I watched carefully as the nurses tied me up so that I could untie myself as soon as they left,” Gibbs wrote. “And you guessed it… I’d be on the ground again. I said to myself: ‘Marla, we’ve got to stop falling down here, we’re not getting anywhere.’ “There was something inside me that kept saying, ‘It’s not over.'”

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“But when I got home and looked at the old woman staring back at me in the mirror, I said, ‘Maybe it’s over.’ Maybe my days as an actor are over,” he recalled.

The actress played the sarcastic maid Florence Johnson. (Unified Archives via FilmPublicityArchive/Getty Images)

In the years before his stroke, Gibbs was working steadily, appearing in films such as “The Visit” and “Madea’s Witness Protection” and guest-starring on TV shows such as “ER,” “Cold Case,” “Passions,” “Arli$$” and “The Hughleys.”

In addition to his acting work, Gibbs had also begun his music career. In May 2006, he released a CD called “It’s Never Too Late”.

Looking back, Gibbs explained that dealing with the emotional fallout of his health crisis and his fears for his future was as difficult as the physical recovery.

Gibbs (pictured in 2006) faced a long recovery period following his medical crisis. (Malcolm Ali/WireImage for Lippin Group)

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“Recovery was difficult and required every ounce of physical, mental and spiritual strength I could muster,” he wrote. “I started questioning why this was happening, especially when I still had so many plans for my life. I was getting ready to go on tour with my new jazz CD, but as they say, one makes plans and God laughs. But this wasn’t funny at all.”

“I fell into a deep depression,” he continued. “I felt like maybe it was time to go. I didn’t want to get up. I didn’t want to do anything.”

“My family had a caregiver come and help,” Gibbs added. “She would make breakfast and help them clean, but it was a really difficult time. It’s so embarrassing not being able to do anything on your own. My mind told me I could walk, but I couldn’t do it without help.”

Gibbs recalled that he eventually entered an outpatient rehab facility where he received occupational, physical and speech therapy.

Gibbs continued acting and made guest appearances on hit shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy.” (Liliane Lathan/ABC via Getty Images)

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“As we progressed, they asked me to do a light jog around the room,” he recalled. “My friend Chrystal Carmichael from Detroit came to help. The first day she got here we went for a walk, then I wanted to show her I could run and I fell and hit my head.”

“It was embarrassing, but mostly discouraging,” he continued. “I complained to the rehab center and the nurse said, ‘We didn’t tell you to run at home!’ he said. I finally accepted where I was in my recovery. I have always been an independent woman juggling multiple projects. “I was completely addicted and couldn’t do anything.”

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Gibbs last appeared in an episode of “Chicago Med” this year. (Elizabeth Sisson/NBC via Getty Images)

“Acceptance of where I was in my healing process was crucial to my recovery, and I think acceptance is the key to healing in life.”

Over time, Gibbs recovered and made guest appearances on hit TV series such as “Lincoln Heights,” “House of Payne,” “Scandal,” “Hot in Cleveland,” “Black-ish,” “This Is Us,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Days of Our Lives,” among others.

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Most recently, he appeared in the films “Chicago Med”, “The Upshaws”, “Will Trent” and “Grey’s Anatomy”.

“It’s Never Too Late” Will Be Released on February 24