Mabel King

Blues singer Mabel King cut some pretty fair rock & roll in the mid-'50s, most notably for George Goldner's Rama Records ("Alabama Rock 'n Roll," "Symbol of Love") in New York, but she is best known to listeners and audiences as an actress. In addition to playing Mom on the late-'70s sitcom What's Happening, she was the Wicked Witch of the West in the movie The Wiz, and played Steve Martin's mother in The Jerk. She also appeared on the Pearl Bailey album Hello Dolly. ~ Bruce Eder