Jackie "Mom's" Mabley - ICONIC COMEDIAN

A Tumultuous life marred with tragedies and triumphs as well tender moments. Those words can be said about Jackie Mabley, a comedian who’s career spanned various highs and lows in her life.

Born Loretta Mary Aiken in Brevard, North Carolina in 1897, Jackie Mabley left a mark that has never been replaced but often duplicated. A pioneer of social satire, she has strongly influenced such contemporary African-American comedians such as Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and a legion of others.

She garnered her name “Jackie Mabley” from an abusive boyfriend who she exclaimed,” Had taken so much from her that the least she could do was use his name.”

It is often said, “Pain produces power” and that statement holds true to Jackie Mabley. Jackie endured many traumatic experiences that would have left the strongest person devastated. Raped twice at the age of fifteen, Jackie would have two children that would be given up for adoption.

Forced into a painful marriage via her Stepfather, Jackie found her niche. Her comedic timing was undeniable and before long, a signature character of a cantankerous old woman was born. She garnered her signature name “Jackie Mabley” from an abusive boyfriend whom she would later exclaim, “Had taken so much from her, that the least she could do was use his name.”

She was blessed to have a mother who was extremely concerned for her daughter and who encouraged her to strike out on her own. She recognized that her daughter had a gift and she needed to see the world as well as escape an emotionally abusive situation.

Jackie would soon find herself in Columbus, Ohio performing in various minstrel shows. She would later find herself on stage in various productions such as: Bowman’s Cotton Blossoms, Look Who’s Here and Miss Bandana. She would go on to forge great and lasting friendships with the likes of Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington.

She rose to national acclaim as a standup comedian in the early 1960’s. She would go on to record at least 20 comedic albums as well as star in various movie productions such as: The Cincinnati Kid, It’s Your Thing and Amazing Grace.

She received the title of “Mom’s” from being a mentor as well as a Mother figure to many up and coming comedians. Billed as the “Funniest Woman in the World” she would go on to tackle edgy topics that some comics deemed untouchable. Her stage persona would tackle topics such as Racism and her routine almost always consisted of her romantic interests in younger men.

A gifted comedian who had an uncanny ability to encompass her audience as well as her listeners, Mabley lived most her life as a lesbian. She never came out to her peers but she did what many could not do, she let her gift of gab and wisdom speak for itself.

Sadly, Jackie “Mom’s” Mabley passed away on May 23, 1975 and clearly the world has not laughed the same since she closed her eyes.

That makes her an ICONIC FIGURE and we salute her.