See also Biography Index (M) :: Filmography Index (M) :: Discography Index (M)

Mabel King (December 25, 1932 – November 9, 1999) was an American film, stage and TV actress. Washington was born Donnie Mabel Elizabeth Washington in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of Rosalie Washington. She was raised in Harlem where she eventually became a gospel and nightclub singer. She did not start acting until her mid thirties, 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 appeared in the Broadway musical Don`t Play Us Cheap. The following year, 1973, she appeared in the film version of the play. That same year she played the Queen of Myrthia in the horror flick Ganja & Hess.

In the 1990s, she battled diabetes, and eventually lost both of her legs and an arm to the disease. In 1999, she died from complications of diabetes and a stroke. Her only child, a son, Larry King (from her marriage to Melvin King; no relation to the talk show host) predeceased her by three years. She was cremated. Her ashes were either given to a friend or family.