Althea Tibbs is a fictional character portrayed by Anne-Marie Johnson in the TV series In the Heat of the Night.
In the first episode they appeared in, titled Pilot: Part 1 (season 1), they were 27 years old.
They appear in 119 episodes out of a total of 146 aired and have accumulated 23 positive votes.
The character of Althea Tibbs is mainly associated with Chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie, Chief of Detectives Virgil Tibbs and Capt. V.L. 'Bubba' Skinner.
Episodes119
Pilot: Part 1
episode S1.E1 march 1988Chief Gillespie reluctantly accepts visiting Sparta native Virgil Tibbs as his new Chief of Detectives in the midst of a high-profile murder investigation.
Pilot: Part 2
episode S1.E2 march 1988Gillespie and Tibbs learn to get used to each other's working habits and bond as workers and friends to solve the murder.
Road Kill
episode S1.E3 march 1988Despite compelling evidence, Gillespie refuses to believe that his best friend used another person's playful gunfire to cover up for the murder of his alcoholic wife.
Fate
episode S1.E4 march 1988Racial tensions boil over in Sparta when a married, white woman has an extramarital affair with a black businessman.
Blind Spot: Part 1
episode S1.E5 march 1988When two local locksmiths uncover a cocaine fencing operation, all evidence points to the personal staff of Virgil Tibbs' former high school rival.
Blind Spot: Part 2
episode S1.E6 april 1988Tibbs gets a long overdue dose of self-satisfaction when the Sparta Police close in on the masterminds of the drug trafficking operation.
A Necessary Evil
episode S1.E7 april 1988Gillespie and Tibb's reluctant investigation of a bigamy case becomes absurd with the accused's half dozen wives, and serious when he is found dead in his cell.
...And Then You Die
episode S1.E8 may 1988Althea Tibbs is kidnapped and taken hostage by the prime suspect in a serial murder investigation.
Don't Look Back: Part 1
episode S2.E1 december 1988A young woman is murdered in the exact same manner to a notorious murder Chief Gillespie investigated 20 years ago and he is threatened as well.
Don't Look Back: Part 2
episode S2.E2 december 1988Tension is created between Tibbs & Gillespie when Tibbs is nominated to be the new Chief of Police. The party responsible for the murder is found to be surprisingly close.
The Family Secret
episode S2.E3 december 1988After a prominent businessman is mysteriously murdered, evidence of incestuous relationships with his daughter and granddaughter are uncovered.
The Hammer and the Glove
episode S2.E4 december 1988Virgil's ex-partner, who was also Althea's ex-lover, comes to Sparta for a reunion nobody will forget.
Prisoners
episode S2.E5 december 1988When Officer Sweet's first bust, his best friend from childhood, dies in the Newman County Jail under mysterious circumstances, he presses Gillespie to investigate the matter.
Hot Nights
episode S2.E6 december 1988Bubba Skinner enters into a whirlwind romance with a seductive author passing through Sparta.
Gunshot
episode S2.E7 january 1989Virgil Tibbs shoots and kills a robbery suspect during a foot pursuit, unaware that it was a girl.
Country Mouse, City Mouse
episode S2.E8 january 1989Bubba's nephew and Virgil's visiting niece become friendly and are chased by a dangerous criminal thought to have died in an explosion.
Stranger in Town
episode S2.E9 january 1989The investigation of a prostitute's murder is complicated when a traveling cook comes to Sparta and starts working at the Magnolia Cafe.
Tear Down the Walls
episode S2.E10 january 1989A skeleton in the closet of a local pastor surfaces after he mysteriously drops dead during a church service.
A Trip Upstate
episode S2.E11 february 1989Gillespie is asked by a condemned prisoner to be present at his execution.
A.K.A. Kelly Kay
episode S2.E12 february 1989Joanne must reveal a painful part of her past to Gillespie after a long lost acquaintance escapes from prison.
These Things Take Time
episode S2.E13 february 1989Tibbs tries to help a teenage mother who was abandoned by her baby's father.
Intruders
episode S2.E14 march 1989The son of a city councilwoman is accused of a string of robbery/murders.
The Creek
episode S2.E15 march 1989Virgil is disturbed by the investigation of a battered woman.
Sister, Sister
episode S2.E16 march 1989Sibling rivalry between two sisters intensifies when their bedridden father dies.
Walkout
episode S2.E17 march 1989Sparta becomes a battleground in the midst of a violent union strike.
Accused
episode S2.E18 april 1989Bubba and Virgil bond as friends and coworkers is tested when Bubba is accused of rape by two different women.
Fifteen Forever
episode S2.E19 april 1989The town of Sparta grieves when a horrific drunk driving accident claims the lives of the entire Sparta High School cheerleading squad.
Ladybug, Ladybug
episode S2.E20 may 1989A handicapped woman tricks her boyfriend into murdering her husband.
The Pig Woman of Sparta
episode S2.E21 may 1989A crabby and reclusive woman shoots and kills anyone who sets foot onto her property.
Missing
episode S2.E22 may 1989Chief Gillespie returns from a convention, only to be kidnapped and presumed dead.
Rape
episode S3.E1 october 1989When Althea is raped by a colleague, Gillespie and the Sparta PD must solve the case before a furious Virgil gets revenge on his own.
Fairest of Them All
episode S3.E2 october 1989Murder takes center stage when the Sparta PD discover that the death of a beauty pageant contestant was no accident.
Murder Most Ancient
episode S3.E3 november 1989A young man stands accused of his abusive father's murder.
First Girl
episode S3.E4 november 1989The Sparta Police Department welcome their first female officer.
Crackdown
episode S3.E5 november 1989Wilson Sweet puts his job on the line when he takes a personal stake in the case of a 13-year-old drug addict.
Anniversary
episode S3.E6 november 1989Chief Gillespie recounts the events surrounding his kidnapping and the killing of his temporary replacement.
Time of the Stranger
episode S3.E7 december 1989Parker puts himself in a compromising position when he becomes protective of a friend who is accused of the murder of a private investigator.
Vengeance
episode S3.E8 december 1989Bubba Skinner is trailed by the family of a man he killed during an armed robbery attempt.
My Name Is Hank
episode S3.E9 december 1989A Vietnamese teenager comes to town, claiming to be the son of one of Chief Gillespie's GI friends. The Chief must help the boy when he gets himself accused of the murder of a comvienence store owner.
King's Ransom
episode S3.E10 january 1990A former prize fighter chooses blackmail over testimony when he is called upon by the FBI to testify against an old mob boss.
Epitaph for a Lady
episode S3.E11 january 1990Chief Gillespie's close friend stands accused of the murder of the doctor who misdiagnosed his wife's terminal cancer.
Triangle
episode S3.E12 january 1990A local man, thought to be quiet and reserved, murders his wife and her lover when he walks in on them, then holds his daughter hostage.
Hello in There
episode S3.E13 january 1990A young boy refuses to speak after he witnesses his father's murder.
December Days
episode S3.E14 february 1990When Chief Gillespie investigates a death at a nursing home, he receives assistance from another resident there who is a former cop.
A Loss of Innocence
episode S3.E15 february 1990The Sparta Police uncover the shocking living conditions of a high school student, after Althea Tibbs asks them to investigate the residence after the girl's fifth truancy.
Bubba's Baby
episode S3.E16 february 1990Bubba's former acquaintance leaves a baby on his doorstep.
Home Is Where the Heart Is
episode S3.E17 march 1990A minister is killed when he attempts to close down a brothel in Sparta.
An Angry Woman
episode S3.E18 march 1990Althea grieves when an impoverished coworker dies in a hit-and-run accident, while the Police investigate the incident.
Indiscretions
episode S3.E19 march 1990Althea's friend comes to town and becomes attracted to Officer Sweet while she is on the run for murdering her married lover.
Night of the Killing
episode S3.E20 march 1990Gillespie and Tibbs clash over who the guilty party is in the murder of a cab driver, until a local informant provides some vital information.
Citizen Trundel: Part 1
episode S3.E21 may 1990Harriet Delong's sister is killed in a murder ordered by her married lover, the wealthiest man in Sparta. Harriet accuses the police department of not properly bringing the mam to justice.
Citizen Trundel: Part 2
episode S3.E22 may 1990Through a search of the killer's house, the smoking gun is found to pin the guilty party. Bill Gillespie and Harriet Delong are asked to be godparents to the Tibbs' expectant child.
Brotherly Love: Part 1
episode S4.E1 september 1990Virgil Tibbs returns to Philadelphia to investigate his best man's death and uncovers police corruption within his friend's precinct.
Brotherly Love: Part 2
episode S4.E2 september 1990When Gillespie travels to Philadelphia to assist Virgil in his investigation, they are able to bring down the vigilante cops and clear his friend's name. The two return to Sparta just in time for Virgil to welcome his children, William & Sarah, into the world.
Lessons Learned
episode S4.E3 september 1990A father is overcome with guilt when his daughter is killed after he disowned her.
Perversions of Justice
episode S4.E4 october 1990Tempers flare in Sparta when an elementary school teacher is accused of molesting one of his students.
And Justice for Some
episode S4.E5 october 1990Virgil's young neighbor is badly injured in a hit-and-run accident caused by a cocky drug trafficker.
Heart of Gold
episode S4.E6 october 1990Bubba Skinner rekindles an old romance, then finds himself hurt and confused when she stands accused of murder.
Quick Fix
episode S4.E7 november 1990While spending his day off fishing, Bubba's dog unearths a dead infant, found to have been born to a mentally-challenged teenager.
Homecoming
episode S4.E8 november 1990When a paroled man returns to Sparta, the whole town becomes a suspect when the man is murdered.
A Problem Too Personal
episode S4.E9 november 1990Harriet Delong's son is implicated in the investigation of an armed robbery committed by her ex-husband.
A Final Arrangement
episode S4.E10 november 1990Wilson Sweet has a hard time believing that his good friend murdered his wife, who had been diagnosed with cancer.
Family Matters
episode S4.E11 december 1990Virgil's cousin is accused of a string of robberies in the midst of him trying to bring some peace back to the family.
Bounty Hunter
episode S4.E12 december 1990Bubba's friend is put in danger when a bounty hunter is on the trail of her brother.
Blessings
episode S4.E13 december 1990During the Christmas season, a flirtatious newspaper reporter prints an unflattering story about the Sparta Police Department.
Shine on Sparta Moon
episode S4.E14 january 1991A teenage girl is killed and her boyfriend blinded in a car accident caused by spiked moonshine.
An Execution of Trust
episode S4.E15 january 1991A psychiatrist, bound by her own rule of confidentiality, holds information proving that a man about to be executed for murder may actually be innocent.
A Child of Promise
episode S4.E16 february 1991A promising high school student is determined to encourage his younger brother to make positive choices in his life.
Paper Castles
episode S4.E17 february 1991Virgil puts himself in a compromising position when he uses inside information to inform a friend that he was cheated when he invested in a building project.
Laid to Waste
episode S4.E18 february 1991Parker finds himself attracted to the main witness of a murder investigation, a beautiful blind girl who overheard her neighbor's murder.
First Deadly Sin
episode S4.E19 february 1991Althea's colleague is the latest victim of a serial rapist who preys on single, blonde women.
Just a Country Boy
episode S4.E20 march 1991Bubba travels to Los Angeles to extradite a prisoner to Sparta to stand trial and finds himself the target of the man's accusers.
No Other Road
episode S4.E21 march 1991Harriet's son tries to have his father's death row conviction overturned.
A Turning
episode S4.E22 april 1991Althea is starting to feel the strain of being the wife of one police officer and the daughter of another.
A Woman Much Admired
episode S5.E1 october 1991Gillespie receives a life altering shock when an old flame comes for a visit and is later murdered.
Baby for Sale
episode S5.E2 october 1991Bubba discovers that his cousins have adopted their baby under questionable circumstances.
Obsession
episode S5.E3 october 1991A promiscuous high school teacher is stalked by her dangerous ex-boyfriend.
Liar's Poker
episode S5.E4 october 1991A man hosting his annual high stakes poker game is murdered.
Ruda's Awakening
episode S5.E5 november 1991When Virgil's estranged aunt is eyewitness to a teenager killed in a botched arrest, her resentment for Virgil clouds her better judgement as to what really happened.
Unfinished Business
episode S5.E6 november 1991Bubba returns to Los Angeles to tie up some loose ends from his last trip there.
The More Things Change
episode S5.E7 november 1991Cyrus Chambers threatens to sell his business and leave for an extended trip with his wife Irene, to the dismay of his junior partner, Tom Dalton, who is having a torrid affair with Irene. Chambers also has financial problems with his illegitimate African-American daughter, Faith Todd. Subsequent events bring disaster and redemption.
Sweet, Sweet Blues
episode S5.E8 november 1991A local jazz musician reveals information about the murder of Officer Sweet's grandfather, which reopens the 40-year-old case.
Sparta Gold
episode S5.E9 december 1991Bubba stumbles upon a marijuana growing operation, later found to be led by a Sheriff's Office deputy.
An Eye for an Eye
episode S5.E10 december 1991D.A. Darnell's daughter is kidnapped by the father of a man Darnelle sent to prison, who committed suicide.
The Littlest Victim
episode S5.E11 december 1991Lonnie Jamison is saddened to discover that his high school girlfriend is now an impoverished, single mother.
The Landlord
episode S5.E12 january 1992When a slumlord is mysteriously murdered, it is implied that he had dealings with dope pushers. Until informant Jimmy Dawes provides some vital information.
Fool for Love
episode S5.E13 january 1992When a doctor's disabled wife discovers his affair with one of his patients, he takes matters into his own hands to correct the situation.
Love, Honor and Obey
episode S5.E14 february 1992Parker's friend takes matters into her own hands when she is fed up with her husband's physical abuse.
Odessa
episode S5.E15 february 1992Sparta Police is on guard to control racial tension when a ceremony is held to honor the first black woman who registered to vote in Sparta.
A Time to Trust
episode S5.E16 february 1992The stepfather of one of Althea's students is implicated in a drug trafficking investigation.
By Means Most Foul
episode S5.E17 february 1992When a woman plots to kill her husband in order to continue her torrid love affair, things don't go exactly as planned.
Trundel's Will Be Done
episode S5.E18 march 1992The wife of Harriet's sister's lover seeks custody of Harriet's nephew, the product of her late husband's affair.
Moseley's Lot
episode S5.E19 march 1992The son of a local electrical contractor resents the fact that his father is always bailing his younger brother out of financial messes.
Family Reunion
episode S5.E20 april 1992A paroled robber returns to Sparta in search of a $750,000 stash.
Sanctuary
episode S5.E21 may 1992Gillespie & Tibbs, along with the abbot of a local monastery, stand accused of harboring a fugitive who escaped from a chain gang.
The Law on Trial
episode S5.E22 may 1992The trio receives an outpouring of support from the town and the police department in the days leading up to their trial. Romance is in the air for Bill Gillespie and Harriet DeLong.
A Small War: Part 1
episode S6.E1 october 1992While Sparta's police chief William O. 'Bill' Gillespie celebrates a mis-trial with Harriet DeLong, they worry about her son Eugene Glendon, who is out on probation. He was tricked into waiting in his friend Byron's car while Byron bought cocaine from dealer Clay Wilson. The crack pusher gang 'the Crew' from Jackson kills both by shooting through the wall. Sparta's police investigates and tries to keep the drug pests from spreading from the city. The Crew returns to spread free drug samples, soon causing an OD wave.
A Small War: Part 2
episode S6.E2 november 1992Despite his disdain for Bill Gillespie, Harriet's son Eugene helps the Sparta Police bring down the crack house after he is an eyewitness to his best friend's drug-related murder.
Brother's Keeper
episode S6.E3 november 1992Luann is furious when her slacker brother returns and is immediately accused of robbing a shady sports bar. Her mother is in denial and insists her son has changed.
A Frenzied Affair
episode S6.E4 november 1992A troubled high school student murders his ex-girlfriend's lover, then fixes it so her stepfather is blamed for the crime. Althea suffers a nervous breakdown after witnessing the student's suicide.
Discovery
episode S6.E5 november 1992Virgil enlists the help of Dr. Levi Atwill to help bring Althea out of her funk and return to her teaching job. The murder investigation is complicated when the dead student's ex-girlfriend acquires yet another boyfriend who murders her stepfather and seriously injured one of Gillespie's good friends.
Random's Child
episode S6.E6 november 1992Bill Gillespie makes peace with his estranged daughter after she comes to Sparta to settle her deceased mother's affairs.
An Occupational Hazard
episode S6.E7 december 1992Computer thieves provide a man with a window of opportunity to cover up for his wife's violent retaliation against her abusive boss.
Last Rights
episode S6.E8 december 1992The doctor treating Virgil's dying aunt is the chief suspect in a series of mercy killings.
When the Music Stopped
episode S6.E9 december 1992A washed up country singer, whose biggest fan is Bubba Skinner, is accused of the murder of his former road manager.
Flowers from a Lady
episode S6.E10 january 1993Bubba is first on the scene of a carjacking and first in the heart of the victim, a city council woman with a history of "man problems".
Private Sessions
episode S6.E11 january 1993When a young woman takes her life by jumping off a bridge, her boyfriend, who is also Virgil's law school classmate, stands accused of her murder.
Judgment Day
episode S6.E12 january 1993A prominent judge's wife threatens to reveal a skeleton in his closet unless he grants her a lucrative divorce.
Falsely Accused
episode S6.E13 february 1993Wilson Sweet's job is put on the line when he is accused of soliciting a bribe from a shady used car salesman.
A Step Removed
episode S6.E14 february 1993A threat made in anger makes Parker's stepfather the prime suspect in the murder of his former boss.
Deadly Affection
episode S6.E15 february 1993A single mother is harassed by her landlord, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend.
Leftover Man: Part 1
episode S6.E16 march 1993When a racist politician visits Sparta during his political rally, a staged assassination attempt intended to make him look better to his perspective voters goes horribly wrong.
Leftover Man: Part 2
episode S6.E17 march 1993The Sparta Police investigate when it is discovered that the murder attempt may not have been staged after all.
A Dish Best Served Cold
episode S6.E18 march 1993When an embezzler returns to Sparta after serving a prison sentence, quite a few people become suspects when the man is killed.
Legacy
episode S6.E19 march 1993A man is determined to make sure a young woman does not receive her inheritance, promised by his grandfather 3 decades earlier.
Even Nice People
episode S6.E20 april 1993Shady real estate developers try to drive Gillespie's daughter out of her property, in order to make way for a new development project.
Lake Winahatchie
episode S6.E21 may 1993The common-law husband of Lana's mother returns to Sparta and tries to extort money from the land developers, who are eventually driven out of town.
A Correct Settling
episode S6.E22 may 1993Sparta Police investigate the possibility of a prison bishop being forced off the road being racially motivated. Bill Gillespie and Harriet Delong discuss taking their relationship to the next level.
Virgil Tibbs: Attorney at Law
episode S7.E8 november 1993Virgil Tibbs returns to Sparta with a law degree, news of his failed marriage and a murder suspect to defend.
- Pilot: Part 1
- Pilot: Part 2
- Road Kill
- Fate
- Blind Spot: Part 1
- Blind Spot: Part 2
- A Necessary Evil
- ...And Then You Die
- Don't Look Back: Part 1
- Don't Look Back: Part 2
- The Family Secret
- The Hammer and the Glove
- Prisoners
- Hot Nights
- Gunshot
- Country Mouse, City Mouse
- Stranger in Town
- Tear Down the Walls
- A Trip Upstate
- A.K.A. Kelly Kay
- These Things Take Time
- Intruders
- The Creek
- Sister, Sister
- Walkout
- Accused
- Fifteen Forever
- Ladybug, Ladybug
- The Pig Woman of Sparta
- Missing
- Rape
- Fairest of Them All
- Murder Most Ancient
- First Girl
- Crackdown
- Anniversary
- Time of the Stranger
- Vengeance
- My Name Is Hank
- King's Ransom
- Epitaph for a Lady
- Triangle
- Hello in There
- December Days
- A Loss of Innocence
- Bubba's Baby
- Home Is Where the Heart Is
- An Angry Woman
- Indiscretions
- Night of the Killing
- Citizen Trundel: Part 1
- Citizen Trundel: Part 2
- Brotherly Love: Part 1
- Brotherly Love: Part 2
- Lessons Learned
- Perversions of Justice
- And Justice for Some
- Heart of Gold
- Quick Fix
- Homecoming
- A Problem Too Personal
- A Final Arrangement
- Family Matters
- Bounty Hunter
- Blessings
- Shine on Sparta Moon
- An Execution of Trust
- A Child of Promise
- Paper Castles
- Laid to Waste
- First Deadly Sin
- Just a Country Boy
- No Other Road
- A Turning
- A Woman Much Admired
- Baby for Sale
- Obsession
- Liar's Poker
- Ruda's Awakening
- Unfinished Business
- The More Things Change
- Sweet, Sweet Blues
- Sparta Gold
- An Eye for an Eye
- The Littlest Victim
- The Landlord
- Fool for Love
- Love, Honor and Obey
- Odessa
- A Time to Trust
- By Means Most Foul
- Trundel's Will Be Done
- Moseley's Lot
- Family Reunion
- Sanctuary
- The Law on Trial
- A Small War: Part 1
- A Small War: Part 2
- Brother's Keeper
- A Frenzied Affair
- Discovery
- Random's Child
- An Occupational Hazard
- Last Rights
- When the Music Stopped
- Flowers from a Lady
- Private Sessions
- Judgment Day
- Falsely Accused
- A Step Removed
- Deadly Affection
- Leftover Man: Part 1
- Leftover Man: Part 2
- A Dish Best Served Cold
- Legacy
- Even Nice People
- Lake Winahatchie
- A Correct Settling
- Virgil Tibbs: Attorney at Law
Best moments7
- When Althea is raped by a colleague, Gillespie and the Sparta PD must solve the case before a furious Virgil gets revenge on his own.
- A promising high school student is determined to encourage his younger brother to make positive choices in his life.
- A troubled high school student murders his ex-girlfriend's lover, then fixes it so her stepfather is blamed for the crime. Althea suffers a nervous breakdown after witnessing the student's suicide.
- The stepfather of one of Althea's students is implicated in a drug trafficking investigation.
- Althea Tibbs is kidnapped and taken hostage by the prime suspect in a serial murder investigation.
- Tibbs tries to help a teenage mother who was abandoned by her baby's father.
- A skeleton in the closet of a local pastor surfaces after he mysteriously drops dead during a church service.
- Rape
- A Child of Promise
- A Frenzied Affair
- A Time to Trust
- ...And Then You Die
- These Things Take Time
- Tear Down the Walls