Jackie "Moms" Mabley, a trailblazing entertainer, rose to fame on the esteemed Black vaudeville stage, known as the Chitlin Circuit, earning the nickname "the Funniest Woman in the World". Born Loretta Mary Aiken in 1894, Mabley's remarkable career spanned an impressive five decades, with her peak earning a staggering $10,000 per week at Harlem's iconic Apollo Theatre.
Mabley's unorthodox comedy style, which tackled unconventional topics such as infidelity, poverty, welfare, and inebriation, set her apart from her contemporaries. Her self-assured and quick-witted routines, often performed as an outspoken grandma, wearing her signature bag-lady attire, resonated deeply with Black female audiences.
Mabley's career was marked by a series of milestones, including her debut at 14 as a member of Henry Bowman and Tim Moore's Negro troupe. Her success was swift, and she soon became a crowd favorite, known for her sharp tongue and clever observations on the psychology of men.
Although Mabley's career flourished on the Black circuit, it wasn't until the early 1960s that she gained recognition among white audiences. Her breakthrough performances included a sold-out show at Carnegie Hall in 1962, as well as appearances on popular variety shows hosted by Flip Wilson, Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Mabley's influence extended to a new generation of female comedians, including the irreverent Phyllis Diller. In her later years, she continued to poke fun at authority figures, including the president and government officials, cementing her status as a true original and a pioneer in the world of comedy.
