Flip Wilson - Definition and Overview

Clerow "Flip" Wilson (December 8, 1933 - November 25, 1998) was an African-American comedian and actor. His flippant sense of humor earned him his nickname while he was serving in the United States Air Force.

From 1970 to 1974, he hosted the popular television program, The Flip Wilson Show. He also made many guest appearances on other TV comedies and variety shows, and acted in TV and theatrical movies including Uptown Saturday Night and The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh.

As a comedian, Wilson was known for creating such characters as "Reverend Leroy" (pastor of "The Church of What's Happenin' Now") and "Geraldine," who was famous for the catch phrase, "The devil made me do it." other guest stars such as Ed Sullivan, Ray Charles, Raymond Burr, B.B. King and many others appeared on his show.

Wilson was born in Jersey City, New Jersey and died of liver cancer in 1998, in Malibu, California.