Moms Mabley performing a comedy act (1948) one of her lines “Cab Calloway once call me a dog. I would like to be a dog if Cab Calloway would be my tree.”
Moms Mabley (comedian) 1948
Mabley, a trailblazing African-American 20th century comedian, Â in the late 1930s, Mabley became the first woman comedian to be featured at New York’s legendary Apollo Theater. Mabley’s standup routines were riotous affairs presented by an older, harmless, housedress-clad figure. Mabley holds the distinction of appearing on the theater’s stage more times than any other performer.
During the Civil Rights struggle her courageous commentary on racial bigotry. Â The cutting comments, which originated for African-American audiences, gained national attention when she became a television regular appearing on numerous television shows. The exposure introduced Mabley to a multi-racial baby boomer audience resurging her career. Â
On stage Moms created the image of a “wise ole sage”; but offstage she had a glamorous, chic look. Mabley lived her life as a proud lesbian.Â
