Moms Mabley

Who Was Moms Mabley?

Moms Mabley, born Loretta Mary Aiken in Brevard, North Carolina, in the 1890s, emerged as a pioneering stand-up comedienne, earning acclaim as one of the foremost entertainers of her time. She achieved significant milestones throughout her career, including starring in several films, headlining at the renowned Apollo Theater, and releasing successful comedy albums in the 1960s. Mabley was also a popular presence on various television variety shows. She passed away in New York on May 23, 1975. Comedian Whoopi Goldberg later directed a documentary that highlighted Mabley’s extraordinary life and contributions to comedy.

Background

Loretta Mary Aiken, who would later be known as Moms Mabley, was born on March 19, 1894 (with some sources citing 1897), into a large family. Her early life was marked by profound trauma. At the age of 11, she lost her father, a firefighter, in a tragic explosion. Later, on Christmas Day, her mother was fatally struck by a truck. By her early teens, Mabley had endured significant abuse, having been raped twice and becoming pregnant on both occasions, resulting in the children being given up for adoption.

Becoming Moms Mabley

At 14, Aiken left home to pursue a career in show business, joining the African American vaudeville circuit as a comedian under the Theatre Owners Booking Association. During this period, she briefly dated fellow performer Jack Mabley, adopting his surname and eventually becoming known as Jackie Mabley. The nickname “Moms” arose from her nurturing reputation within the comedy community.

By the early 1920s, Mabley collaborated with the duo Butterbeans & Susie, gaining recognition at the Cotton Club. She also ventured into film and stage, collaborating with writer Zora Neale Hurston on the 1931 Broadway show Fast and Furious: A Colored Revue in 37 Scenes and taking on a featured role in Paul Robeson’s Emperor Jones (1933).

Public vs. Private Persona

Beginning in the late 1930s, Mabley became the first female comedian to perform at the Apollo Theater, ultimately appearing on its stage more than any other performer. She returned to film in productions such as The Big Timers (1945), Boarding House Blues (1948), and the musical revue Killer Diller (1948), which featured notable artists like Nat King Cole and Butterfly McQueen.

Mabley’s stand-up routines were characterized by her unique aesthetic as an older woman dressed in a housedress, delivering incisive commentary on racial issues that resonated with African American audiences. Her humor often contained a playful commentary on her attraction to younger men. However, this public persona contrasted with her private life; offstage, she was known for her glamorous and chic appearance, and she was openly a lesbian.

Hit Albums

Mabley embarked on a recording career with her debut album The Funniest Woman Alive under Chess Records, which achieved gold certification. She continued to release successful albums, including Moms Mabley at the Playboy Club, Moms Mabley at the UN, and Young Men, Si – Old Men, No, further expanding her audience. Her appearances on prominent variety shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show, and performances at Carnegie Hall solidified her status in the entertainment industry.

Legacy and Whoopi Goldberg Film

In 1974, Mabley starred in the film Amazing Grace, completing her role despite suffering a heart attack during production. She passed away on May 23, 1975, in White Plains, New York.

Actress Clarice Taylor, known for her role as Bill Cosby’s mother on The Cosby Show and a devoted admirer of Mabley’s work, staged the 1987 play Moms at the Astor Place Theater, portraying the iconic comedian. Over two decades later, comedian Whoopi Goldberg made her directorial debut with the documentary Moms Mabley: I Got Somethin’ to Tell You, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and aired on HBO, further ensuring that Mabley’s legacy continues to resonate in contemporary culture.