8 flippin' fantastic facts about Flip Wilson
Image: Rowan & Martin's Laugh In
Flip Wilson was born on this day in 1933. A pioneering black entertainer, the New Jersey native tickled America's funny bones on brilliant variety shows like Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and his own Flip Wilson Show. The latter earned the comedian a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. He also nabbed a Grammy for his comedy album The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress, putting him close to rarified EGOT territory.
After honing his routines at the Apollo Theater, Wilson dazzled as a guest on The Tonight Show and Ed Sullivan. Sadly, he passed away in 1998. To celebrate Flip, let's take a look at some intriguing trivia about the man.
You can see him on Laugh-In weeknights at 6pET & 12aET.
His first name was Clerow.
The name "Flip" has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? But that wasn't Wilson's birth name. He was born Clerow Wilson, Jr., and named after his father.
Image: Associated Press
He broke racial barriers.
In 1972, TIME magazine featured Wilson on the cover, boldly declaring him "TV's first black superstar." The Flip Wilson Show was the first successful variety show hosted by a black entertainer.
Image: TIME
The name "Flip" has roots in the military.
Wilson's peers in the U.S. Air Force gave Wilson the nickname "Flip" because his outgoing personality always made him seem "flipped out." The name stuck, and Wilson used it as his stage name after being discharged in 1954.
Image: SFM Entertainment
Wilson got his big break on 'Laugh-In.'
Wilson was one of the standout regular guest performers of the sketch comedy series. To this day we can still hear him saying, "Here come de judge!"
His show was the second most-watched in the country.
For two seasons in a row, The Flip Wilson Show ranked as the second most watched program in the nation. The only two shows to rank higher? Marcus Welby, M.D., during the 1970–71 season, and All in the Family, during the 1971–72 season.
Image: SFM Entertainment
He left show business to spend time with his children.
Most performers struggle to find their place after a career-defining role. Wilson knew he had his biggest moment with his variety show, and cut back his public appearances by the end of the 1970s. "I accomplished what I set out to do," Wilson said in 1979. "I wanted the whole cookie and I got it."
Image: AP Photo/Jim Bourdier
What exactly is a "Flip Wilson handshake"?
Wilson greeted the guests on his show with the famous greeting, which (if we remember correctly) is four hand slaps, two elbow bumps and two hip-bumps.
Image: SFM Entertainment
SEE MORE: 8 SOCK-IT-TO-YOU FACTS ABOUT 'ROWAN AND MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN'
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