A lot of us are oblivious to what happened to Mabel after Whats Happening! Ms. King's most visible role was as Mrs. Thomas, or Mama, in the ABC series ''What's Happening!'' Mabel, who had made her debut on Broadway acting and singing in "Porgy and Bess" as Maria, passed away at 66 - sick and alone in a hospital, surrounded by strangers. After then, she also reprised it in Sidney Lumet's 1978 film version. [9] King died on November 9, 1999 at age 66. appreciated. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'HzEyvNVHS6dBS9C7tel3-Q',sig:'pDgp7jAY1Mw9oqRygA3dcOEpSCQg2ppcsZknj1BrJe8=',w:'395px',h:'594px',items:'512585502',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); For starters, we learned that Ernest is 69 years young! Mabel King is best-known for the role of Mama on the 1970's sitcom What's Happening!, but she also appeared in the films The Jerk with Steve Martin and The Wiz with Michael Jackson. | Source: Getty Images. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. Actor, Ernest Lee Thomas- or as we Old Schoolers like to call him- "Roger" (or "Raj'") from "What's Happening" recalled some very interesting facts about his years on the show that the public never knew. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. All rights reserved. Mabel Elizabeth King (ne Washington; December 25, 1932 - November 9, 1999) was an American actress and singer. In January 1975, she played the role of Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West in the all-Black cast of the Broadway musicalThe Wiz. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous Queen Elizabeths Kids Were Often Left With Nannies & Lacked Tactile Connection While She Was Away for Months, Hollywood Stars Including William Shatner Share Tributes to M*A*S*H Actor Sally Kellerman Who Died at 84, Chrissy Metz's Ex-husband Martyn Eaden Filed for Divorce in 2014 Her Love Life Flourished after They Split, Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz's Kids Lived Different Lives after Parents Thrust Them into the Spotlight, Barbra Streisand's Mother Never Said She Loved Her & Was Jealous of Daughter's Success, Roy Rogers' Wife Was Fired from Their Films after Marrying Yet They Were a Life & Stage Duo for 50 Years, Demi Moore Felt 'Betrayed' by Mom's Lie about Biological Dad Yet Later Forgave Her & Became Her Caregiver, Pam Dawber Lost On-Screen Sister Rebecca Schaeffer She Switched Focus from Her Career to Her Family with Mark Harmon. In the mid-70s, Mabel landed the role of a single mom in the sitcom "What's Happening!!" Check your inbox for your latest news from us. [9] King died on November 9, 1999, at age 66. Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Her last two movie roles wereScrooged(1988)andDead Men Don't Die(1990). }); Copyright 2015 . In January 1975, she played the role of Evilene, the Wicked Witch of the West in the all-African-American cast of the Broadway musical The Wiz. She is survived by her mother, Rosalee Washington, and a sister, Rose Washington, both of Manhattan. That same year, she played the Queen of Myrthia in the horror film Ganja & Hess. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! All donations are eligible for a tax deduction. Embed from Getty Imageswindow.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'VnP13We7QppHhu9zH7AFAw',sig:'tJenZIUr4S1rFUE6uZlZkFCIjrHhaADo6CXp9CBgj0s=',w:'428px',h:'594px',items:'93742780',caption: false ,tld:'com',is360: false })}); Prior to filming Whats Happening, when Ernest found out that the actress playing his mother (Mabel King) was none other than the Wicked Witch of the West from The Wiz movie, hewas blown away: I went to see her on Broadway in The Wiz about 15 times, says Thomas. The late Mable King once said she always kept her weight up to 260 pounds and above during her stint on Whats Happening, to please the producers. target_type: 'mix' The 66-year-old actress had been on dialysis for many years, and she died from organ failure when her kidney's shut down. Larry King hosts Ora TV's "Larry King Now". Fair value provided by IndexArb.com. Actor, Ernest Lee Thomas- or as we Old Schoolers like to call him- Roger (or Raj') from Whats Happening recalled some very interesting facts about his years on the show that the public never knew. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Structural Info Facts All times are ET. King would also lose one of her arms to diabetes. Mabel King (born Mabel Elizabeth Washington; December 25, 1932 - November 9, 1999) was an American film, stage television actress and singer. King received mostly guest spots on television series including Fantasy Island, The Jeffersons, Amazing Stories and Tales from the Darkside. The following year she played the role of Ernestina in the Broadway musical/comedy Hello, Dolly! 384 Mabel King Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 384 mabel king stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! window._taboola = window._taboola || []; died on Nov. 9 at a hospital in Woodland Hills, Calif., where she lived. In 1991, King's diabetes resulted in the amputation of her left leg. We humbly honor the old school soul music era and will keep pushing forward to keep it alive. Any information you provide to us via this website may be placed by us on servers located in countries outside the EU if you do not agree to such placement, do not provide the information. > I heard today that Mabel King, the mother on "What's Happening! The film actress and singer Mabel King had an estimated net worth of $250,000. Anyone can read what you share. King was born Mabel Elizabeth Washington in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of Rosalie Washington and Joseph Washington on Christmas Day 1932. King is 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. 2023 Cable News Network. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. Actor, Ernest Lee Thomas- or as we Old Schoolers like to call him- Roger (or Raj') from Whats Happening recalled some very interesting facts about his years on the show that the public never knew. She is known for her role as Mabel "Mama" Thomas on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!! King and Akins married in 1961 and again in 1967. In June 1980, King returned to stage work, starring in the Broadway musical It's So Nice to Be Civilized. Black Celebrity Birthdays is a sub-division of Family Lyfe, A Nonprofit 501c3 Charity. Her character often used the catch phrase "This is true", which she said to her children when she tried to prove a point to them. Her son, Larry, died in 1996. My family and I thank you for your outpouring of kind sentiments and well wishes. - Celebritist recently learned from Lipstick Alley that the late actress Mabel King had a very sad life till her death. In 1972, she appeared in the Broadway musicalDon't Play Us Cheap. She is best known as Mabel "Mama" Thomas on thesitcomWhat's Happeningand that ofEvillene the Witch, a role she originated in the stage musicalThe Wizand the reprisedfilm adaptation. 9:39 PM EDT, Sat August 22, 2020, Home builder confidence rises for the first time in a year, Wall Street's biggest WFH advocate is bringing underperforming staff back into the office, Lack of new cars is lifting used car prices (2021), Leslie Jones uses debut on 'The Daily Show' to call out Biden and his Corvette, Tech giants like Sony and LG Display are making inroads into the auto sector -- it could change the way we think about cars. The actress was married to Melvin King in 1967 but the marriage crashed in 1989. "The Wiz" earned her a Drama Desk Award nomination for outstanding featured actress in a musical and led to several roles in major films. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. Mabel lived at The Motion Picture Country Home in Woodhills, California. King was a staunch conservative Republican who strongly supported the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Mabel King, an actress and singer best known for her portrayal of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the Broadway and movie productions of ''The Wiz'' and her role as the mother in the mid . She oftentimes instantaneously changed the script during filming and stated that the lack of positive Black roles was one of the biggest tragedies on television. She hatedthat her character remained a single Black mother who worked as a maid. One of them included what drove actress, Mabel King (who played his Mom), to walk off the show during the height of it's success. She is known for her role as Mabel "Mama" Thomas on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!! It was the second time in her career that she appeared in a movie after being in the stage version, the first being Don't Play Us Cheap. She also worked on Broadway in productions of ''A Race With the Wind'' and ''The Women.''. Both of them were good and kind souls and they will be greatly missed, he wrote. I don't know if it was her, but that is a very scary looking photo. In 1990, King suffered a stroke and entered the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California. But the amputations did not hit her as hard as the loss of her only son, Larry who died in 1996. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. To become an Actor or Actress. Bouncer Blocks Old Lady at Rock Concert until Lead Singer Comes out for Her Story of the Day, Valerie Bertinelli Looks Young at 62 After Divorce, She Finds Happiness in Cooking & Says Age Is Just a Number', Billy Joel Was 'Thrilled' to Become Dad of 3 at 68 after Finding Love with Equestrian Wife, Zsa Zsa Gabor Was Bedridden When Her Spouse Threw Her 95th Birthday Party & Planned to Benefit from Her 100th, Meet Charlotte Raes 2 Kids with Husband of 25 Years Who Fell in Love with Man of His Dreams', Betty White Was Proud 'To Be In Such Good Health' before Her 100th Birthday Unpacking Her Last Interview. Mabel King Wanted To Remain Plus Sized For Her Career. She died after a long illness and complications from diabetes, said a friend, Vickie Chamberlain. Even before then, Mabel had had some run-ins with the production with regards to the direction the show was taking. As if fate hadnt dealt her enough blows, her son became a con man and a drug addict and died of cirrhosis in 1996. Source. from its premiere in 1976 until the end of its second season in 1978. King is also a father to four children from previous marriages and is a stepfather to one. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; The host shocked his fans in 2009 when he revealed that he had a son with Kaye. The role earned her aDrama Desk Awardnomination for outstanding featured actress in a musical. Market holidays and trading hours provided by Copp Clark Limited. And this happened before she became famous as an actress. After her long fought health battle, she passed away in November 1999. It was a role where she acted for the first time in a stage musical named 'The Wiz' (stage version). Mabel King died on November 9, 1999 at age 66. They had. I thank you for respecting that.. Mabel, who had a powerful voice, started singing in church as a young girl in her native Charleston, and would eventually earn her living as a nightclub singer. Her son, Larry, died in 1996. The following year, she appeared in the filmThe Jerk. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Aside from that, he revealed some of the major tension that went down behind the scenes of "What's Happening">>>. Mabel lost her toes due to diabetes in 1986, suffered a stroke in 1989 and then later lost both legs and an arm to diabetes. Larry King shared his children Andy King and Chaia King with his ex-wife Alene Akins. }); Copyright 2015 . They had one child, a son named Larry King. King is also a father to. Mabel King, an actress and singer best known for her portrayal of Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, in the Broadway and movie productions of ''The Wiz'' and her role as the mother in the mid-70's television comedy ''What's Happening!'' A Warner Bros. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Can you believe that? In the late 70s, Mabel had the opportunity to participate in several high-profile comedies, one of which was "The Jerk," in which she played comedian Steve Martin's adoptive mother, Mamma Johnson, a role she had first played on stage. She is known for her role as Mabel "Mama" Thomas on the ABC sitcom What's Happening!! During the busy schedule that she had in the television series, Mabel also took the time to reprise the character named Mama Johnson in the movie 'The Jerk'. She was a Black film, stage, television actress, and singer. She also once joked, in a late 70's Jet Magazine interview, that if she was given a choice between food and sex, she'd choose food . Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. creative tips and more. Still, it remains in a lot of our minds. The famous actress and nightclub singer Mabel King was born on December 25, 1932, in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. She is known for playing some of the most amazing roles. Mabel Elizabeth King (ne Washington; December 25, 1932 - November 9, 1999) was an American film, stage, and television actress, and singer. The actress was married to Melvin King in 1967 but the marriage crashed in 1989. ! would not sound new to them but for the new schools, the name might not even ring a bell. You can possibly guess what her life would have looked like at this point but that didnt stop there as she still suffered more tragedies in her life. from its premiere in 1976 until the end of its second season in 1978. One of them included what drove actress, Mabel King (who played his Mom), to walk off the show during the height of its success. 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