1. The “Moving On Up” Theme Song
The opening theme song of The Jeffersons, titled “Movin’ on Up,” famously underscores the family’s rise in social status. The lyrics highlight how George Jefferson and his wife, Weezy, transitioned from “a humble little home” to “a deluxe apartment in the sky.” This transition symbolizes their financial ascent, with George’s dry cleaning business being the key to their wealth.
2. George’s Dry Cleaning Business
George Jefferson’s success was based on his chain of dry cleaning businesses, which he built from the ground up. Throughout the show, George often refers to his hard work and determination, as well as the struggles he faced to become successful. By the time the series starts, his business empire has made him a millionaire, allowing him and his family to live in luxury.
3. George’s Wealth and Personality
George’s wealth plays a major role in his personality and how he interacts with others. He is often portrayed as somewhat arrogant, opinionated, and brash—traits that stem from his pride in his success. However, his wealth also allows him to make bold, often comical decisions, such as buying a lavish apartment in the Upper East Side of New York and acting as if he were above certain societal norms.
4. Social Class and Class Struggles
Although George Jefferson is a millionaire, his wealth does not necessarily erase all of the struggles he faces. As an African-American businessman in the 1970s and 1980s, George still faces prejudice and racism, which is an important aspect of the show’s social commentary. The show uses George’s wealth as a lens to explore issues of race, class, and upward mobility, showing that while George has achieved financial success, he is still confronted with racial barriers.
5. George’s Relationship with Other Characters
Throughout the series, George’s wealth and success are contrasted with the characters around him. For instance, his old neighbor Tom Willis (played by Franklin Cover), who is white, is often shown to be more financially secure in some ways but struggles to keep up with George’s apparent bravado and pride. Despite his wealth, George often feels the need to assert his superiority and “keep up appearances,” which adds to his comic persona and social interactions.
6. The Jeffersons’ Social Status
While George is a millionaire, the show also portrays the Jeffersons as part of a new, upwardly mobile African-American middle class. Their wealth, in part, symbolizes the growing economic mobility for African-Americans in the post-civil rights era, but it also highlights the challenges of navigating class and racial identity in a predominantly white, affluent society.
Yes, George Jefferson was a millionaire, and his wealth was central to his character on The Jeffersons. His dry cleaning business made him financially successful, allowing the Jefferson family to live in luxury in Manhattan. However, George’s wealth was more than just a plot device—it was also a way for the show to explore themes of race, class, and identity, especially in the context of African-American families achieving financial success during the 1970s and 1980s.
