Mabel Todd, born Mabel Dodds on August 13, 1907, in Los Angeles, California, began her life with a tragic loss when her mother passed away at a very young age. Despite this challenging start, Mabel's life took a melodious turn as she developed a lovely singing voice, which would become a defining feature of her career. She started her professional journey in vaudeville, often performing alongside her sister Marcia as a duo. Mabel's talent eventually led her to the world of radio, where she earned the nickname "The Little Ray of Sunshine" for her bright and cheerful performances.
In 1933, Mabel married comedian Morey Amsterdam, and the couple worked together on the popular radio show "The Laff and Swing Club." Mabel made her film debut in the 1937 musical "Varsity Show," which marked the beginning of her Hollywood career. She signed a contract with Warner Brothers and appeared in supporting roles in "Hollywood Hotel" (1937) and "Gold Diggers in Paris" (1938). Mabel's blonde hair and high-pitched voice led to her being typecast as a dumb blonde comedienne, a role she would continue to play throughout her career.
During the 1940s, Mabel continued to work in film, television, and radio, often starring alongside her husband, Morey Amsterdam. In 1942, she appeared on one of the first televised talent shows, and the following year, she starred in "The Ghost and the Guest" (1943),a film written by her husband. Mabel also traveled across the country, entertaining troops in USO shows during World War 2. However, her marriage to Morey Amsterdam began to unravel, and the couple eventually divorced in 1945.
Mabel's post-divorce life was marked by personal struggles and a decline in her movie career. She could only secure bit parts, and her last credited role was as a florist in the comedy "Wife Wanted" (1946). She continued to work in radio and stage shows, but her career was slowly fading. In 1950, Mabel made headlines when she divorced her second husband, Matthew A. Sontino, accusing him of physical abuse. Both of her marriages were childless, and she eventually retired from show business.
Mabel Todd lived a quiet life away from the spotlight, passing away on June 2, 1977, at the age of 69. She was cremated, and her ashes were interred at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
