Were The Jeffersons truly "rich"? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Magic · 09-09-2006, 01:15 PM

this might sound like a very stupid question...but one that just popped up in my head while reading a review on Amazon about one the DVD collections. it described The Jeffersons as a "rich African-American family." however, i ponder whether George could have been considered rich by 1975 standards or even by 2006 standards.

the only "well to do" black men in sitcom history are George, Cliff Huxtable and Phillip Banks.

The Huxtables were middle-class, so that takes them out of the equation.

George owned 7 cleaning stores (one down the street from me

) and lived in an overpriced condo in NYC for 21 years until moving his wife and maid to Bel-Air in 1996.

on the otherhand, Philip Banks worked his way up as a lawyer and to a judge, and lived in that big ass mansion with his family.

so my question is...was George Jefferson rich by 1975 standards or by today's standards? or was he simply UPPER-MIDDLE CLASS?

Brian Damage · 09-09-2006, 01:20 PM

I would say he was definitely rich by today's standards.

Janice · 09-09-2006, 03:02 PM

The Jeffersons didn't have Oprah or Gate's kind of wealth, but they were loaded.

seventies_sitcoms · 09-09-2006, 03:10 PM

Well, George and Louise were better off than me, so YES they were rich!!

Magic · 09-09-2006, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seventies_sitcoms

Well, George and Louise were better off than me, so YES they were rich!!

i couldn't have said it any better

TVFactFan · 09-09-2006, 03:58 PM

I remember George saying in 1975 that he was a Thousandnaire-lol So They were not rich at that Time

GARFIELDKOOL · 09-09-2006, 04:25 PM

I find it odd he didn't own a couple of cars. I think he just had limosines, if I am not mistaken.

TVFactFan · 09-09-2006, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

I find it odd he didn't own a couple of cars. I think he just had limosines, if I am not mistaken.

Yeah I know, Maybe he figured that living were he did that he didn't need a car and could just cab it or be in the limo

Janice · 09-09-2006, 04:50 PM

The other night, Louise said to George something about taking a cab. I'm not sure what episode. It may have been the one where the guy in her French class puts the moves on her. Not sure, but Louise definitely mentioned taking a cab somewhere.

Lots of people living in big cities, especially New York, don't own cars.

TVFactFan · 09-09-2006, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

The other night, Louise said to George something about taking a cab. I'm not sure what episode. It may have been the one where the guy in her French class puts the moves on her. Not sure, but Louise definitely mentioned taking a cab somewhere.

Lots of people living in big cities, especially New York, don't own cars.

Especially living in Manhattan because you are in the middle of everything. I don't own a car either because I live in the Manhattan section of Philadelphia

mraw · 09-09-2006, 07:09 PM

I remember around Father's Day MSN had a fun article on tv fathers and how much they would be worth today if they had their same jobs. The list was numbered one through sixty, and George came in at number five. I remember J.R. Ewing and Phillip Drummond being ahead of him (I can't remember the other two). The article said that George would be making $555,000 a year in today's economy. James Evans was last at $0!

mraw · 09-09-2006, 07:12 PM

Here's the listing:

1 Blake Carrington Dynasty (1981-89) CEO Denver-Carrington $856,515
2 J.R. "Jock" Ewing, Sr. Dallas (1978-91) CEO Ewing Oil $838,569
3 Philip Drummond Diff'rent Strokes (1978-86) President $720,600
4 Chase Gioberti Falcon Crest (1981-90) Vineyard Owner $677,487
5 George Jefferson The Jeffersons (1975-85) CEO Jefferson Cleaners $555,702
6 Michael Bluth Arrested Development (2003-present) CEO Real Estate Company $527,205
7 Jed Bartlet West Wing (1999-present) US President $400,000
8 Andy Brown Everwood (2002-present) Neurosurgeon $328,949
9 Sean McNamara Nip/Tuck (2003-present) Plastic Surgeon $274,456
10 Vernon Albright My Little Margie (1952-55) Investment Executive $270,035
11 Walter Findley Maude (1972-78) Appliance Store Owner $245,668
12 Heathcliff Huxtable The Cosby Show (1984-92) Obstetrician $237,932
13 Tim Taylor Home Improvement (1991-99) Host of "Tool Time" $191,526
14 George Baxter Hazel (1961-66) Corporate Lawyer $178,880
15 Frasier Crane Frasier (1993-2004) Radio Psychiatrist $164,644
16 Jason Seaver Growing Pains (1985-92) Psychiatrist $160,466
17 Philip Banks Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96) Judge $146,000
18 Howard Borden The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78) Airline Pilot $135,818
19 Danny Tanner Full House (1987-95) Morning Show Host $130,000
20 Sandy Cohen The OC (2003-present) Lawyer $113,780
21 Uncle Bill Davis Family Affair (1966-71) Consulting Engineer $111,353
22 Sam Aldrich The Aldrich Family (1949-53) District Attorney $102,504
23 Rob Petrie The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66) Head Comedy Writer (TV) $95,941
24 Tom Corbett The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969-72) Magazine Publisher $95,021
25 Alan Harper Two and a Half Men (2003-present) Chiropractor $87,672
26 Andy Taylor The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68) Sheriff $84,019
27 Tom Scavo Desperate Housewives (2004-present) Regional Sales Manager $83,688
28 Ross Gellar Friends (1994-2004) Professor of Paleontology $81,904
29 Darrin Stephens Bewitched (1964-72) Advertising Executive $70,785
30 Homer Simpson The Simpsons (1989-present) Nuclear Safety Inspector $65,000
31 Henry Mitchell Dennis the Menace (1986-88) Engineer $60,537
32 Frank Costanza Seinfeld (1990-98) Salesman $59,070
33 Steve Douglas My Three Sons (1960-72) Aviation Engineer $53,962
34 Nate Fisher Six Feet Under (2001-05) Funeral Director $53,366
35 Ricky Ricardo I Love Lucy (1951-57) Bandleader $51,931
36 Frank De Fazio Laverne & Shirley (1976-83) Pizza Bowl Manager $51,896
37 Howard Cunningham Happy Days (1974-84) Hardware Store Manager $49,796
38 Tom Bradford Eight is Enough (1977-81) Columnist $49,065
39 Lars "Papa" Hansen Mama (1949-56) Carpenter $48,170
40 Carl Winslow Family Matters (1989-98) Police Officer $48,000
41 Herman Munster The Munsters (1964-66) Undertaker $47,268
42 Chester A Riley The Life of Riley (1953-58) Airplane Riveter $47,049
43 Ray Barone Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005) Sportswriter $46,852
44 Ward Cleaver Leave it to beaver (1957-63) Accountant $46,617
45 Archie Bunker All in the Family (1971-79) Dock Foreman $45,431
46 George Burns Burns and Allen (1950-58) Entertainer $44,386
47 Danny Williams Make Room for Daddy (1953-65) Nightclub Entertainer $44,386
48 Mike Brady Brady Bunch (1969-74) Architect $44,064
49 Elliot Stabler Law & Order: SVU (1999-present) Detective $42,889
50 Andy Sipowicz NYPD Blue (1993-2005) Detective $42,889
51 Steven Keaton Family Ties (1982-89) Public TV Station Manager $40,713
52 Jim Anderson Father Knows Best (1954-60) Insurance Agent $38,790
53 Dan Conner Roseanne (1988-97) Construction Worker $38,202
54 Fred Flintstone The Flintstones (1960-66) Quarry Crane Operator $37,357
55 Gary Ewing Knots Landing (1979-93) Mechanic (first job) $33,529
56 Fred G. Sanford Sanford and Son (1972-77) Junk Dealer $27,950
57 Al Bundy Married with children (1987-97) Shoe Salesman $25,943
58 John Walton, Sr. The Waltons (1972-81) Lumberman $24,128
59 Tony Micelli Who's the Boss? (1984-92) Housekeeper $21,281
60 James Evans, Sr. Good Times (1974-79) Unemployed $0

TVFactFan · 09-09-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mraw

I remember around Father's Day MSN had a fun article on tv fathers and how much they would be worth today if they had their same jobs. The list was numbered one through fifty, and George came in at number five. I remember J.R. Ewing and Phillip Drummond being ahead of him (I can't remember the other two). The article said that George would be making $555,000 a year in today's economy. James Evans was last at $0!

I'm not surprised, James minumum wage was always his maximum-lol

Joey Deadcat · 09-12-2006, 02:14 PM

Don't know about rich but they were certainly very well off.

mimi75042 · 09-12-2006, 06:08 PM

I can't believe that George Jefferson beat Cliff Huxable.. That's good.

09-09-2006, 01:15 PM	#1
Magic Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 06, 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 29	Were The Jeffersons truly "rich"? this might sound like a very stupid question...but one that just popped up in my head while reading a review on Amazon about one the DVD collections. it described The Jeffersons as a "rich African-American family." however, i ponder whether George could have been considered rich by 1975 standards or even by 2006 standards. the only "well to do" black men in sitcom history are George, Cliff Huxtable and Phillip Banks. The Huxtables were middle-class, so that takes them out of the equation. George owned 7 cleaning stores (one down the street from me ) and lived in an overpriced condo in NYC for 21 years until moving his wife and maid to Bel-Air in 1996. on the otherhand, Philip Banks worked his way up as a lawyer and to a judge, and lived in that big ass mansion with his family. so my question is...was George Jefferson rich by 1975 standards or by today's standards? or was he simply UPPER-MIDDLE CLASS?

09-09-2006, 01:20 PM	#2
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	I would say he was definitely rich by today's standards.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

09-09-2006, 03:02 PM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The Jeffersons didn't have Oprah or Gate's kind of wealth, but they were loaded.

09-09-2006, 03:10 PM	#4
seventies_sitcoms * Senior Member Join Date: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 2,244	Well, George and Louise were better off than me, so YES they were rich!!

09-09-2006, 03:58 PM	#6
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,065	I remember George saying in 1975 that he was a Thousandnaire-lol So They were not rich at that Time

09-09-2006, 04:25 PM	#7
GARFIELDKOOL Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 02, 2004 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 7,204	I find it odd he didn't own a couple of cars. I think he just had limosines, if I am not mistaken.

09-09-2006, 04:50 PM	#9
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	The other night, Louise said to George something about taking a cab. I'm not sure what episode. It may have been the one where the guy in her French class puts the moves on her. Not sure, but Louise definitely mentioned taking a cab somewhere. Lots of people living in big cities, especially New York, don't own cars.

09-09-2006, 07:09 PM	#11
mraw Movin' On Up! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 343	I remember around Father's Day MSN had a fun article on tv fathers and how much they would be worth today if they had their same jobs. The list was numbered one through sixty, and George came in at number five. I remember J.R. Ewing and Phillip Drummond being ahead of him (I can't remember the other two). The article said that George would be making $555,000 a year in today's economy. James Evans was last at $0!

09-09-2006, 07:12 PM	#12
mraw Movin' On Up! Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 343	Here's the listing: 1 Blake Carrington Dynasty (1981-89) CEO Denver-Carrington $856,515 2 J.R. "Jock" Ewing, Sr. Dallas (1978-91) CEO Ewing Oil $838,569 3 Philip Drummond Diff'rent Strokes (1978-86) President $720,600 4 Chase Gioberti Falcon Crest (1981-90) Vineyard Owner $677,487 5 George Jefferson The Jeffersons (1975-85) CEO Jefferson Cleaners $555,702 6 Michael Bluth Arrested Development (2003-present) CEO Real Estate Company $527,205 7 Jed Bartlet West Wing (1999-present) US President $400,000 8 Andy Brown Everwood (2002-present) Neurosurgeon $328,949 9 Sean McNamara Nip/Tuck (2003-present) Plastic Surgeon $274,456 10 Vernon Albright My Little Margie (1952-55) Investment Executive $270,035 11 Walter Findley Maude (1972-78) Appliance Store Owner $245,668 12 Heathcliff Huxtable The Cosby Show (1984-92) Obstetrician $237,932 13 Tim Taylor Home Improvement (1991-99) Host of "Tool Time" $191,526 14 George Baxter Hazel (1961-66) Corporate Lawyer $178,880 15 Frasier Crane Frasier (1993-2004) Radio Psychiatrist $164,644 16 Jason Seaver Growing Pains (1985-92) Psychiatrist $160,466 17 Philip Banks Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96) Judge $146,000 18 Howard Borden The Bob Newhart Show (1972-78) Airline Pilot $135,818 19 Danny Tanner Full House (1987-95) Morning Show Host $130,000 20 Sandy Cohen The OC (2003-present) Lawyer $113,780 21 Uncle Bill Davis Family Affair (1966-71) Consulting Engineer $111,353 22 Sam Aldrich The Aldrich Family (1949-53) District Attorney $102,504 23 Rob Petrie The Dick Van Dyke Show (1961-66) Head Comedy Writer (TV) $95,941 24 Tom Corbett The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1969-72) Magazine Publisher $95,021 25 Alan Harper Two and a Half Men (2003-present) Chiropractor $87,672 26 Andy Taylor The Andy Griffith Show (1960-68) Sheriff $84,019 27 Tom Scavo Desperate Housewives (2004-present) Regional Sales Manager $83,688 28 Ross Gellar Friends (1994-2004) Professor of Paleontology $81,904 29 Darrin Stephens Bewitched (1964-72) Advertising Executive $70,785 30 Homer Simpson The Simpsons (1989-present) Nuclear Safety Inspector $65,000 31 Henry Mitchell Dennis the Menace (1986-88) Engineer $60,537 32 Frank Costanza Seinfeld (1990-98) Salesman $59,070 33 Steve Douglas My Three Sons (1960-72) Aviation Engineer $53,962 34 Nate Fisher Six Feet Under (2001-05) Funeral Director $53,366 35 Ricky Ricardo I Love Lucy (1951-57) Bandleader $51,931 36 Frank De Fazio Laverne & Shirley (1976-83) Pizza Bowl Manager $51,896 37 Howard Cunningham Happy Days (1974-84) Hardware Store Manager $49,796 38 Tom Bradford Eight is Enough (1977-81) Columnist $49,065 39 Lars "Papa" Hansen Mama (1949-56) Carpenter $48,170 40 Carl Winslow Family Matters (1989-98) Police Officer $48,000 41 Herman Munster The Munsters (1964-66) Undertaker $47,268 42 Chester A Riley The Life of Riley (1953-58) Airplane Riveter $47,049 43 Ray Barone Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005) Sportswriter $46,852 44 Ward Cleaver Leave it to beaver (1957-63) Accountant $46,617 45 Archie Bunker All in the Family (1971-79) Dock Foreman $45,431 46 George Burns Burns and Allen (1950-58) Entertainer $44,386 47 Danny Williams Make Room for Daddy (1953-65) Nightclub Entertainer $44,386 48 Mike Brady Brady Bunch (1969-74) Architect $44,064 49 Elliot Stabler Law & Order: SVU (1999-present) Detective $42,889 50 Andy Sipowicz NYPD Blue (1993-2005) Detective $42,889 51 Steven Keaton Family Ties (1982-89) Public TV Station Manager $40,713 52 Jim Anderson Father Knows Best (1954-60) Insurance Agent $38,790 53 Dan Conner Roseanne (1988-97) Construction Worker $38,202 54 Fred Flintstone The Flintstones (1960-66) Quarry Crane Operator $37,357 55 Gary Ewing Knots Landing (1979-93) Mechanic (first job) $33,529 56 Fred G. Sanford Sanford and Son (1972-77) Junk Dealer $27,950 57 Al Bundy Married with children (1987-97) Shoe Salesman $25,943 58 John Walton, Sr. The Waltons (1972-81) Lumberman $24,128 59 Tony Micelli Who's the Boss? (1984-92) Housekeeper $21,281 60 James Evans, Sr. Good Times (1974-79) Unemployed $0

09-12-2006, 02:14 PM	#14
Joey Deadcat Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 07, 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 29	Don't know about rich but they were certainly very well off.

09-12-2006, 06:08 PM	#15
mimi75042 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 13, 2003 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 109	I can't believe that George Jefferson beat Cliff Huxable.. That's good.