Clerow “Flip” Wilson Jr. was born December 8, 1933, in Jersey City, New Jersey. Wilson had 17 brothers and sisters; and was sent into the foster care system.  At 16, Wilson lied about his age and joined the United States Air Force. During his time in the service he was sent to military bases to cheer up the service men there. Wilson’s barrack mates claimed that he was always “flipped out” and gave him is nickname, Flip.

Wilson moved to San Francisco in 1954 and started working at the Manor Plaza Hotel as a bellhop and filler between acts in the nightclub at the hotel. His most popular act there was as an inebriated patron. He started working clubs throughout California, doing most ad-lib on stage.

Wilson became a regular at the Apollo Theater during the 1960s.

He then became a favorite guest on The Tonight Show, Laugh-In, and The Ed Sullivan Show. Wilson won a Grammy Award, in 1970 for his comedy album The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress.

Flip Wilson was offered his own series, in the 1974, The Flip Wilson Show. He greeted all his guests with the “Flip Wilson Handshake.” The handshake consisted of four hand slaps, two elbow bumps finishing with 2 hip-bumps. He hosted many entertainers including The Jackson Five. The show featured many comedy skits the most popular being, Geraldine Jones and Reverend Leroy Jenkins. Wilson’s show coined many phrases, such as, “the Devil Made Me Do It” and “What you see is what you get.” The Flip Wilson Show had 11 Emmy Award nominations, winning two and a Golden Globe award for Best Actor in a Television Series.

He also did many guest appearances on TV comedies, such as Here’s Lucy and The Dean Martin Show. In addition, Wilson acted in some movies including Uptown Saturday Night.

Flip Wilson hosted the remake of People Are Funny and he played the lead character in Charlie & Co.

He married his first wife, Lovenia Wilson, in 1957. The couple divorced 19 years later.  Flip then married Tuanchai MacKenzie in 1979 and they divorced in 1984. Wilson won custody of his children in 1979. He decided to perform less so that he could spend time with his family.

On November 25, 1998, Flip Wilson died from complications due to liver cancer. Flip Wilson’s ashes were given to his family.