Flip Wilson

Acting

Flip Wilson

Born December 8, 1933 · Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.

Died November 25, 1998 · aged 64

Clerow "Flip" Wilson Jr. (December 8, 1933 – November 25, 1998) was an American comedian and actor best known for his television appearances during the late 1960s and 1970s. From 1970 to 1974, Wilson hosted his own weekly variety series The Flip Wilson Show, and introduced viewers to his recurring character Geraldine. The series earned Wilson a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards, and it was the seco…

Known For

Uptown Saturday NightUptown Saturday Night · 1974
Uptown Saturday Night
6.21974
MovieComedyCrime
Two blue-collar buddies search the underworld for a winning lottery ticket lost in a nightclub holdup.
PinocchioPinocchio · 1976
Pinocchio
7.41976
MovieTV MovieFamily
This musical adaptation of Pinocchio from 1976 features the incomparable talents of Danny Kaye, Sandy Duncan, Flip Wilson, and Clive Revill. Framed by the story of a young theater girl's desire to study and work apart from her father, the story of Pinocchio is presented as a subplay with the young girl as Pinocchio (Sandy Duncan) and her father as Geppetto (Danny Kaye). The famous Carlo Collodi story of a lonely woodcutter whose marionette comes to life is presented faithfully and engagingly.
Cancel My ReservationCancel My Reservation · 1972
Cancel My Reservation
5.61972
MovieComedyMystery
Bob Hope is a stressed out talk show host who is sent on a vacation to Arizona on doctor's orders and has to play Sherlock Holmes with his wife, the lovely Eva Marie Saint, to solve a series of murders that has Bob as the prime suspect.
The Fish That Saved PittsburghThe Fish That Saved Pittsburgh · 1979
The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh
5.61979
MovieComedy
The Pittsburgh basketball team is hopeless. Maybe with the aid of an astrologer, and some new astrologically compatible players, they can become winners.
Skatetown, U.S.A.Skatetown, U.S.A. · 1979
Skatetown, U.S.A.
5.11979
MovieComedy
A street-gang leader challenges a handsome young skater in a championship contest at the local roller-disco rink.
Zora is My Name!Zora is My Name! · 1990
Zora is My Name!
10.01990
MovieDramaComedy
A celebration of the life of Zora Neale Hurston, who was born at the turn of the 20th Century and grew to be an important voice with her written portrayals of Black American life in the rural south of the 1930's and 40's, and the stories, songs and folklore that were her heritage and inspiration.
The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70sThe Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s · 2002
The Ultimate Collection Starring Johnny Carson - The Best of the 60s and 70s
2002
Movie
From those early days of black and white with Ed Ames' memorable Tomahawk toss, to Tiny Tim's Technicolor wedding, to Letterman and Leno's stand-up debuts; the first decade of The Tonight Show was filled with once-in-a-lifetime classic TV moments. This volume includes: Pearl Baily, Buddy Hackett, Steve Martin, George Carlin, Flip Wilson, Don Rickles, Dolly Parton and more!
Clerow Wilson's Great EscapeClerow Wilson's Great Escape · 1974
Clerow Wilson's Great Escape
10.01974
MovieAnimationTV Movie
Clerow is taken away from his sister's home by a social worker and placed into servitude with an evil foster family “where they put water in the milk and milk in the water.” Clerow eventually escapes from this family and is reunited with his sister in a new housing project.

Filmography

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The Flip Wilson ShowThe Flip Wilson Show · 1970
The Flip Wilson Show
4.81970
SeriesComedy
The Flip Wilson Show is an hour long variety show that aired in the U.S. on NBC from September 17, 1970 to June 27, 1974. The show starred American comedian Flip Wilson; the program was one of the first American television programs starring a black person in the title role to become highly successful with a white audience. Specifically, it was the first successful network variety series starring an African American. During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show. The show consisted of many skits over an hour. It also broke new ground in American television by using a 'Theatre-in-the-Round' stage format, with the audience seated on all sides of a circular performance area. Wilson was most famous for creating the role of Geraldine Jones, a sassy, modern woman who had a boyfriend named Killer. Flip also created the role of Reverend Leroy, who was the minister of the Church of What's Happening Now!. New parishioners were wary of coming to the church as it was hinted that Reverend Leroy was a con artist. Wilson popularized such catchphrases as "What you see is what you get", and "The devil made me do it!".

Writer