Wilson was a true television pioneer in his day and all-around comedian, hosting his hosted his own weekly variety series in the 70s called “The Flip Wilson Show.” Only Carol Burnett with “The Carol Show would match the show’s success. The series earned Wilson a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. In January 1972, Time magazine featured Wilson’s image on their cover and named him “TV’s first black superstar.
He was best known for his portrayals of such outrageous, over-the-top characters as the Reverend Leroy of the Church of What’s Happening Now and Geraldine, the sassy but proud black woman whose flamboyance, enthusiasm and screeching, high-pitched voice were recognized by millions of Americans. Her trademark quips — ”When you’re hot, you’re hot; when you’re not, you’re not,” ”The devil made me do it” and ”What you see is what you get” — became national catch phrases inserted into everyone’s vocabulary in the 1970’s, when Mr. Wilson’s variety show became one of America’s best-watched programs.
Check out a clip of one of Wilson’s best comedic routines below:
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