Moms mabley biography artist amanda

American comedian and actress (–)

Loretta Mary Aiken (March 19, ^[1] – May 23, ),^[2] known by her stage name Jackie "Moms" Mabley, was an American stand-up comedian and actress.

Mabley began her career on the theater stage in the s and became a veteran entertainer of the Chitlin' Circuit of black vaudeville. Mabley later recorded comedy albums and appeared in films and on television programs including The Ed Sullivan Show and The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.^[3]

Early life

Loretta Mary Aiken was born in Brevard, North Carolina, on March 19, ^[1] She was one of 16 children born to James Aiken and Mary Smith,^[4] who had married in ^[5] Her father owned and operated several successful businesses, and took in boarders.^[1]

Her childhood was tumultuous.

Aiken gave birth to two children resulting from her being raped at age 11, by an elderly black man, and at age 13, by a white sheriff. Both ch