November 25th in African American History – Clerow Flip Wilson Jr

November 25, 1998 Clerow “Flip” Wilson, Jr., comedian and actor, died.

Wilson was born December 8, 1933 in Jersey City, New Jersey. He lied about his age at 16 and joined the United States Air Force where his personality and funny stories made him popular. After his discharge, he became a regular at the Apollo Theater in Harlem and appeared on a number of television variety shows.

In 1970, he won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, “The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress.” Also that year, “The Flip Wilson Show” debuted on television with Wilson playing characters such as Reverend Leroy, pastor of the Church of What’s Happening Now and Geraldine, whose line “the devil made me do it” became a national expression.

The show aired through 1974 and was nominated for eleven Emmy Awards, winning two. Wilson also appeared in the films “Uptown Saturday Night” (1974) and “The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh” (1979).

Related posts:

1. September 27th in African American History – Stephanie Diana Wilson September 27, 1966 Stephanie Diana Wilson, the second African American...
2. October 2nd in African American History – Frederick August Wilson October 2, 2005 Frederick August Wilson, playwright, died. Wilson was...
3. November 22nd in African American History – Benjamin Sherman “Scatman” Crothers November 22, 1986 Benjamin Sherman “Scatman” Crothers, actor, singer and...
4. November 17th in African American History – Esther Rolle November 17, 1998 Esther Rolle, stage, film and television actress,...
5. September 11th in African American History – Loletha Elaine Lola Falana September 11, 1942 Loletha Elaine “Lola” Falana, dancer, singer and...