Moms Mabley
- field
- Stand-up comedy, acting
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Pioneering black female comedian, openly gay performer, Chitlin' Circuit star
Lore & Background
Her childhood was tumultuous; she reportedly gave birth to two children resulting from being raped before the age of 14. At her grandmother's encouragement, she ran away at age 14 to Cleveland, Ohio, joining a traveling vaudeville-style minstrel show.
Reader's Guide
During the 1950s, she adopted the persona of a toothless, bedraggled woman in a house dress, which allowed her to address edgy topics like racism and sexuality. Her cover of 'Abraham, Martin and John' hit No.
Did You Know?
- Moms Mabley was portrayed by Whoopi Goldberg in a one-woman show titled Moms, first performed in Berkeley, California, in 1983 and 1984.
- Her cover of 'Abraham, Martin and John' reached No. 35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969, making her thought to be the oldest living person to have a U.S. Top 40 hit.
- Mabley was named an Icon of the 2015 LGBT History Month.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Moms Mabley?
Moms Mabley was the stage name of Loretta Mary Aiken, an American stand-up comedian and actress born in Brevard, North Carolina in 1897. She became one of the most recognizable Black female comedians in American entertainment history.
What was Moms Mabley's role in the entertainment world?
She was a pioneering Black female comedian who built her career on the Chitlin' Circuit, the network of Black vaudeville theaters across the United States. Starting in the 1920s, she performed stand-up comedy and later expanded into recording, film, and television.
How did Moms Mabley's story end?
Moms Mabley passed away on May 23, 1975, in White Plains, New York, at the age of 78. Her death marked the close of a career spanning more than five decades of live performance and media work.
Why is Moms Mabley important to entertainment history?
She broke barriers as a Black woman in comedy during an era when such performers faced severe racial and gender discrimination. Her longevity and visibility on mainstream platforms helped pave the way for future generations of Black comedians.
What TV shows and films did Moms Mabley appear in?
She made appearances on major television programs including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour. She also recorded comedy albums and appeared in various films throughout her career.
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