"We're moving on up, to the East Side, to a deee-luxe apartment in the sky" ... This spin-off from All in the Family was about literal upward mobility - African American couple George and Louise Jefferson move into a swanky high-rise building. George was an obstreperous, often rude guy who thought his wealth should get him anywhere he wanted to go. His wife was more level-headed and often cut him down to size when his schemes went awry. The cast included their son, Lionel, neighbors Tom and Helen Willis, maid Florence and other friends and neighbors.
Cast and Characters
Mike Evans as Lionel Jefferson (1975, 1979-1981)
Isabel Sanford as Louise Jefferson
Mel Stewart as Henry Jefferson
Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson
Damon Evans as Lionel Jefferson (1975-1978)
Roxie Roker as Helen Willis
Franklin Cover as Tom Willis
Berlinda Tolbert as Jenny Willis Jefferson
Paul Benedict as Harry Bentley (1975-1981, 1983-1985)
Zara Cully as Mother Olivia Jefferson (1975-1978)
Ned Wertimer as Ralph the Doorman
Marla Gibbs as Florence Johnston
Ernest Harden Jr. as Marcus Garvey (1977-1979)
Jay Hammer as Allan Willis (1978-1979)
Ebonie Smith as Jessica Jefferson (1984-1985)
Danny Wells as Charlie (1984-1985)
Broadcast History First Telecast: January 18, 1975 Last Telecast: July 23, 1985 Number of Episodes: 253
Number of Seasons: 11
Original Network: CBS
January 1975- August 1975, CBS, Saturday 8:30-9:00pm
September 1975- October 1976, CBS, Saturday 8:00-8:30pm
November 1976- January 1977, CBS, Wednesday 8:00-8:30pm
January 1977- August 1977, CBS, Monday 8:00-8:30pm
September 1977- March 1978, CBS, Saturday 9:00-9:30pm
April 1978- May 1978, CBS, Saturday 9:00-9:30pm
June 1978- September 1978, CBS, Monday 8:00-8:30pm
September 1978- January 1979, CBS, Wednesday 8:00-8:30pm
January 1979- March 1979, CBS, Wednesday 9:30-10:00pm
March 1979- June 1979, CBS, Wednesday 8:00-8:30pm
June 1979- September 1982, CBS, Sunday 9:30-10:00pm
September 1982- December 1984, CBS, Sunday 9:00-9:30pm
January 1985- March 1985, CBS, Tuesday 8:00-8:30pm
April 1985, CBS, Tuesday 8:30-9:00pm
June 1985, CBS, Tuesday 8:30-9:00pm
June 1985- July 1985, CBS, Tuesday 8:00-8:30pm
Theme Song Lyrics and Opening Credits
"Movin' on Up" by Jeff Barry and Ja'net Dubois
Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.
Fish don't fry in the kitchen;
Beans don't burn on the grill.
Took a whole lotta tryin'
Just to get up that hill.
Now we're up in teh big leagues
Gettin' our turn at bat.
As long as we live, it's you and me baby
There ain't nothin wrong with that.
Well we're movin on up,
To the east side.
To a deluxe apartment in the sky.
Movin on up
To the east side.
We finally got a piece of the pie.