#moms mabley

“Abraham, Martin and John,” Moms Mabley, 1969, heartbreaking. She knew John, Martin, and Bobby.

Generally considered the first female stand-up comedy superstar, she overcame much to become billed as “The Funniest Woman in the World.” She was the first woman to be featured at the Apollo. In 2013, she also was the subject of an HBO documentary by Whoopi Goldberg. From most sources she was also known as openly lesbian (and during the early 20th century no less), making her a pioneer in that regard as well, considering the time period. So how funny was she? See for yourself.

Born “Loretta Mary Aiken” 1894, Brevard, North Carolina. Coming from a big family (one of 16 children), Mabley had a horrific childhood. At age 11, her father, a volunteer firefighter, died while on the job. In 1910, her mother was run over a truck. By age 14 she had already been sexually assaulted twice resulting in two children being put up for adoption.

It was around this time that Aiken ran away to join the African-American vaudeville circuit as a comedian. Her stage name “Jackie ‘Moms’ Mabley”, inspired from a fellow performer who was her boyfriend for a short time (the moms came later on, as she became a mentor for younger comedians). In the 1920s, she worked with duo Butterbeans & Susie for a time and grew in popularity. As her presence grew over the years, she would move her act to New York City, and worked her way into television, movies, and stage performances over her career. She appeared on both the Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

In the 1930s, Mabley became the first woman comedian to be featured at the Apollo Theater, and would appear on their stage more than any other performer. Her routines were a clever mix of social commentary on bigotry and the struggles of African-Americans, and raunchy stand up touching on female sexuality, edgy at the time. Through various indirect accounts and sources, Mabley was also considered “out” as a lesbian for most of her adult life, making her a gay pioneer as well (I’ve yet to find an absolute definitive source, but thought it should be noted as most online sources with this entry state it as fact).

Mabley recorded over 20 albums of comedy routines over her career, and even became the oldest person ever to have a US Top 40 hit with a cover song she recorded in 1969 at the age of 75.

In 2013, Whoopi Goldberg created a (partially kickstarted) documentary for HBO, “Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley”, detailing the comedian’s life with rare footage and interviews.

*edit*
Read my note addressing a Tumblr user’s comment on this particular entry regarding Mabley’s sexuality.

Photo Source: CBS – Wikimedia Commons
Source:Biography.com
Source:Wikipedia
Source:WMFU.org
Source:HBO
Source:Washington Post
Source:Huffington Post