Mabel King Hemphill, a native of the charming city of Asheville, situated in the heart of North Carolina, a place renowned for its thriving arts and cultural landscape, made the courageous decision to depart her familiar surroundings and relocate to the entertainment capital of Los Angeles in the 1970s. This bold move was driven by her unwavering passion to leave an indelible mark on the world of stand-up comedy, and she threw herself wholeheartedly into the cutthroat Los Angeles comedy club circuit. With unrelenting dedication and perseverance, she honed her craft, refining her distinctive brand of humor and developing a unique voice that would set her apart from her peers.
As she relentlessly devoted herself to honing her craft, her daily regimen started to generate considerable interest among industry professionals, subsequently resulting in a string of guest appearances on television shows. This steady stream of exposure culminated in a major turning point in 1976, when she secured the role of a lifetime as the captivating and outspoken waitress Shirley Wilson on the widely acclaimed sitcom What's Happening!!
