Mabel King
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Mabel King | |
---|---|
Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1964–1990 |
Known for | Mabel "Mama" Thomas – What's Happening!! Evillene – The Wiz |
Spouse |
Melvin King
(m. 1967; div. 1989) |
Children | 1 |
Mabel Elizabeth King (née Washington; December 25, 1932[4][5][6][7] – November 9, 1999) was an American actress and singer. She was known for her role as Mabel "Mama" Thomas on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!! from its premiere in 1976 until the end of its second season in 1978. King was also known for portraying Evillene the Witch, a role she originated in the stage musical The Wiz and reprised in Sidney Lumet's 1978 film adaptation. She recorded on the Rama Records and Amy Records labels.
Early life
King was born Mabel Elizabeth Washington in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of Rosalie Washington and Joseph Washington on Christmas Day 1932.[8] She was raised in Harlem, New York where she eventually became a gospel and nightclub singer.
Career
Stage work
She did not start acting until her mid thirties, in 1966, when she played the role of Maria in the national touring play of Porgy and Bess. The following year she played the role of Ernestina in the Broadway musical/comedy Hello, Dolly! Then in 1972, she acted in the musical film Don't Play Us Cheap, which went unreleased until the following year, after it had been performed on Broadway as a stage play. That same year, she played the Queen of Myrthia in the horror film Ganja & Hess. In January 1975, she played the role of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West in the all-African-American cast of the Broadway musical The Wiz. The role earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination for outstanding featured actress in a musical. Her performance in The Wiz brought her much attention and soon after she received roles in the films The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings, with Billy Dee Williams and James Earl Jones, and Scott Joplin, with Billy Dee Williams and Clifton Davis. In June 1980, King returned to stage work, starring in the Broadway musical It's So Nice to Be Civilized. However, the show did poorly and closed after eight performances.
Television and film
In 1976, she was offered the role of Mabel Thomas on the
Personal life
King was married to Melvin King from June 1967 until September 1989. She and Larry Banks had one child, a son named Larry Jr., who died in 1996.[9]
King was a staunch conservative Republican, strongly supporting the presidency of Ronald Reagan.[citation needed]
Later years and death
King was
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1973 | Don't Play Us Cheap | House guest at the party | |
1973 | Ganja & Hess | Queen of Myrthia | |
1976 | The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings | Bertha Dewitt | |
1976–1978 | What's Happening!! | Mabel "Mama" Thomas | 37 episodes |
1977 | Scott Joplin | Madam Amy | |
1978 | The Wiz | Evillene | Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress |
1978–1981 | Fantasy Island | Various roles | 3 episodes |
1979 | Barney Miller | Mother Zilla | Episode: "Computer Crime" |
1979 | The Jerk | Mother | |
1980 | The Gong Show Movie | Mabel | |
1981 | Palmerstown, U.S.A. | Aunt Toog | Episode: "Future City" |
1981 | Getting Over | Mabel Queen | |
1983 | ABC Weekend Special | Mrs. Trussker | Episode: "All the Money in the World" |
1983 | Lottery! | Mabel | Episode: "Los Angeles: Bigger Volume" |
1983 | Whiz Kids | Episode: "Fatal Error" | |
1984 | The Jerk, Too | Mama Johnson | Television movie |
1984 | The Master
|
Willie | Episode: "Fat Tuesday" |
1984 | The Jeffersons | Mother Tobin | Episode: "Some Enchanted Evening" |
1986 | Amazing Stories | Jennifer Mowbray | Episode: "The Sitter" |
1986 | The Colbys | Fortune Teller | Episode: "The Honeymoon" |
1986 | Tales from the Darkside | Ruby Cuzzins | Episode: "Baker's Dozen" |
1988 | Black Vampire | ||
1988 | Wiseguy | Mae Nina | Episode: "Blood Dance" |
1988 | Scrooged | Gramma | |
1990 | Dead Men Don't Die | Chafuka |
Recordings
- "Alabama Rock'n'Roll" (RAMA Records, 1956)[10]
- "Mabel King With The Royal Sita Chorus – Symbol Of Love / Second Hand Love" (RAMA Records, 1956)[10]
- "Go Back Home Young Fella/Lefty" (Amy Records, 1962)[10]
- "When We Get The Word / Love" (Amy Records, 1962)[10]
References
- ^ Ravo, Nick (November 18, 1999). "Mabel King, 66, Who Played The Wicked Witch in 'The Wiz'". The New York Times.
- ISBN 978-0757315961. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
- ISBN 978-0786452040. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
- ^ NNDB - Mabel King
- ISBN 978-1620081815. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ISBN 978-1551996073. Retrieved June 8, 2019.
- ISBN 978-1578591206. Retrieved October 26, 2017.
- ^ "Mabel King Biography". filmreference.com.
- ISSN 0021-5996.
- ^ ISBN 978-1611176223.
External links
- Mabel King at IMDb
- Mabel King at the Internet Broadway Database