Clerow “Flip” Wilson was born on this day in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was the tenth of 24 children, with 18 siblings surviving into adulthood. Flip Wilson rose to fame in the 1960s and ’70s as a comedian known for his warm humor, clever characters, and cultural impact.
In 1970, he made history as the first African American to host a successful variety show on U.S. television — The Flip Wilson Show — which earned him a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. He became widely loved for characters like “Geraldine Jones,” known for the catchphrase, “The Devil made me do it!”
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