Mabel King, 66, who raised the roof in Broadway's The Wiz, as the wicked witch, Evillene, died Nov. 9 after a long illness, The New York Times reported.

Ms. King, who was 66, made many television appearances, including a starring role in the 1970s sitcom "What's Happening!"

She sang the gospel-revival-like number, "No Bad News," in The Wiz on Broadway in 1975 and repeated the role of Evillene in the film version of the African-American take on "The Wizard of Oz."

The Times reported that her Broadway credits also included A Race With the Wind and The Women.

She was born in South Carolina, raised in Harlem and appeared as a guest on many TV shows, including "Barney Miller, " "The Jeffersons" and "Fantasy Island." Ms. King also played Steve Martin's mother in "The Jerk." Ms. King died in a hospital in California after an illness complicated by diabetes. She is survived by her mother, Rosalee Washington and sister Rose Washington, both of New York City. A son, Larry, predeceased her.

-- By Kenneth Jones