Flip Wilson
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Born Name:
Clerow Wilson Jr.
Born Date: December 8, 1933
Born Place: Jersey City, New Jersey
Died Date: November 25, 1998
Died Place: Malibu, California
Occupations: Comedian, actor
Brief Biography: Clerow "Flip" Wilson Jr. was best known for hosting The Flip Wilson Show (1970–1974). As the first African American to host a highly successful network TV variety show, he broke racial barriers and introduced iconic characters like the sassy "Geraldine".
Early Life and Military Service:
Childhood: He was one of 10 children. After being abandoned by his mother during the Great Depression, he spent his youth in foster homes and reform schools.
Military: At 16, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Air Force. His fellow servicemen nicknamed him "Flip" because he was constantly cracking jokes and acting "flipped out".
Comedy Career Beginnings:
After being discharged in 1954, Wilson began honing his stand-up act on the "Chitlin' Circuit" of segregated nightclubs. He became a regular at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater, but his massive break came in 1965 when veteran comedian Redd Foxx told Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show that Wilson was the "funniest comedian around". Wilson quickly became a national television fixture, making frequent appearances on The Tonight Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, and popularizing the catchphrase "Heah come de judge" on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Television Stardom and Icons:
In 1970, he launched The Flip Wilson Show on NBC. It became an immediate ratings smash, reaching the #2 spot in the Nielsen ratings and remaining there for multiple seasons. The show earned him a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. Time magazine featured him on its cover in 1972, crowning him "TV's first black superstar". Wilson made frequent use of drag and created unforgettable comedic alter-egos:
Geraldine Jones: A sassy, liberated woman known for catchphrases like "What you see is what you get!" and "The devil made me do it!"
Reverend Leroy: The charismatic pastor of the "Church of What's Happening Now". In 1970, he also won a Grammy Award for his hit comedy album, The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress.
Later Life and Legacy:
At the peak of his fame in 1974, Wilson decided to walk away from his highly successful television show to spend more time raising his children. He continued making guest appearances on shows like Living Single and The Drew Carey Show and starred in the 1985 sitcom Charlie & Co.
Born Date: December 8, 1933
Born Place: Jersey City, New Jersey
Died Date: November 25, 1998
Died Place: Malibu, California
Occupations: Comedian, actor
Brief Biography: Clerow "Flip" Wilson Jr. was best known for hosting The Flip Wilson Show (1970–1974). As the first African American to host a highly successful network TV variety show, he broke racial barriers and introduced iconic characters like the sassy "Geraldine".
Early Life and Military Service:
Childhood: He was one of 10 children. After being abandoned by his mother during the Great Depression, he spent his youth in foster homes and reform schools.
Military: At 16, he lied about his age to join the U.S. Air Force. His fellow servicemen nicknamed him "Flip" because he was constantly cracking jokes and acting "flipped out".
Comedy Career Beginnings:
After being discharged in 1954, Wilson began honing his stand-up act on the "Chitlin' Circuit" of segregated nightclubs. He became a regular at Harlem’s legendary Apollo Theater, but his massive break came in 1965 when veteran comedian Redd Foxx told Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show that Wilson was the "funniest comedian around". Wilson quickly became a national television fixture, making frequent appearances on The Tonight Show and The Ed Sullivan Show, and popularizing the catchphrase "Heah come de judge" on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In.
Television Stardom and Icons:
In 1970, he launched The Flip Wilson Show on NBC. It became an immediate ratings smash, reaching the #2 spot in the Nielsen ratings and remaining there for multiple seasons. The show earned him a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. Time magazine featured him on its cover in 1972, crowning him "TV's first black superstar". Wilson made frequent use of drag and created unforgettable comedic alter-egos:
Geraldine Jones: A sassy, liberated woman known for catchphrases like "What you see is what you get!" and "The devil made me do it!"
Reverend Leroy: The charismatic pastor of the "Church of What's Happening Now". In 1970, he also won a Grammy Award for his hit comedy album, The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress.
Later Life and Legacy:
At the peak of his fame in 1974, Wilson decided to walk away from his highly successful television show to spend more time raising his children. He continued making guest appearances on shows like Living Single and The Drew Carey Show and starred in the 1985 sitcom Charlie & Co.