Super read more. He would remarry and divorce over a decade later with Tuanchai MacKenzie. Murdoch has survived scandal after scandal. All Rights Reserved. In the 70s, the comedian debuted his NBC variety series, The Flip Wilson Show, where he hosted African-American celebrities while performing relaxing comedy sketches. "Flip was a breakthrough artist for African-Americans," Jackson said Thursday in a telephone interview. Besides his daughter Michelle, he is survived by sons Kevin and David, and daughters Stacey and Tamara. Wilson popularized the phrase "The devil made me do it." We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. The Senate approved his nomination on a largely party-line vote of 60-36, reflecting a split between Republicans and read more, American forces invade and take control of the Marshall Islands, long occupied by the Japanese and used by them as a base for military operations. Clerow Wilson was born into poverty on Dec. 8, 1933, in Jersey City, N.J., and raised in foster homes, quitting school at 16. Claiming that he was always "flipped out", Wilson's barracks mates gave him the nickname "Flip", which he used as his stage name. In the early 1970s, Wilson hosted his own weekly variety series, The Flip Wilson Show. In 19851986, Wilson played the lead role in the CBS sitcom Charlie & Co. Two of his last TV appearances were cameos on the sitcoms Living Single in 1993, and The Drew Carey Show in 1996.[10]. Following their split, the actor won custody of his five children, including stepdaughter, Michelle Trice, and took time-off the screens to devote his life to caring for his children. School shooting survivor has emotional audition on "American Idol" display: none; Flip was always haunted by his childhood, Kevin Cook, author of Flip: The Inside Story of TVs First Black Superstar, tells Closer. His humor was rarely political, but in interviews he spoke of his admiration for black politicians such as Cleveland Mayor Carl Stokes and Georgia legislator Julian Bond. In 1957, he married Lavenia Patricia "Peaches" Wilson (ne Dean); they divorced in 1967. The sprightly Wilson, who died in 1998 of liver cancer at the age of 64, is not exactly unknown today: "The Flip Wilson Show," which aired from 1970 to 1974 on NBC, reran on TV Land from 1997 . .component--type-recirculation .item:nth-child(5) { We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Flip Wilson on THE SUMMER BROTHERS BROTHERS SMOTHERS SHOW | Photo: Getty Images. 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. "After all, I was number one in the ratings four times last year and twice this season." Clerow Wilson was born into poverty on Dec. 8, 1933, in Jersey City and raised in foster homes, quitting . His career lasted less than five years, but he still left a large legacy with his show Chico and the Man, his appearances on celebrity roasts, and his stand-up. George Carlin, one of the shows writers, appeared on the show frequently. Other than his parents' identity, there is not much known about their occupation or anything else. [2] In 1979, he married Tuanchai "Cookie" MacKenzie, with whom he had one child; they divorced in 1984. Flip Wilson Was a Popular '70s Comedian Who Died of Cancer at 64 inside the Comic's Childhood That Haunted His Life By Joe Akins Mar 09, 2020 07:00 A.M. After running away more than a dozen times, he was sent to reform school. ", A routine titled "Columbus", from the 1967 album Cowboys and Colored People, brought Wilson to Hollywood industry attention. Tyler Priddy was born on November 30, 1981, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to Gene Priddy and Glenda Long Priddy. Wilson made his TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1965, and that led to frequent appearances on The Ed Sullivan Show, Laugh-In and on comedy series including Love, American Style.. A variety pecial in which he starred in September 1968 led to his own series, which earned him an Emmy for performing and one for writing in 1971. The comedian was cremated at Westwood Village Memorial Park, and his ashes were scattered at sea off the beach at Malibu in the Pacific Ocean. He found extra work by playing a drunken patron in between the scheduled acts at Manor Plazas nightclub. The man who gave the world Geraldine and the catch phrase "the devil made me do it!" In the autumn of 1919, while campaigning in the United States to win approval for the Treaty of Versailles and League of Nations, Wilson suffered a severe stroke that paralyzed his left side and caused significant brain damage. Please note that this form cannot be used to reset your Google or Facebook password. Geraldine, with Wilson in wig, high heels and a colorful minidress, was perhaps his most famous character. The comedian was divorced about the time his show ended and he won custody of his four children. Flip Wilsons Geraldine Jones character was the most loved on the show, cross-dressing as a female with an imaginary boyfriend called Killer, coupled with his use of catchphrases such as, What you see is what you get, and The devil made me do it. The late stars comedy show was one of the first hosted by an African-American to achieve high ratings and win two Emmys. Shes smart, shes trustful, shes loyal, shes sassy., Copyright 2023 /The Celebrity Deaths.com/All Rights Reserved. Discharged in 1954, Wilson spent more than a decade working at odd jobs and developing a comedy act in small clubs. Get our L.A. Caleb Mallory, his wife, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren were killed in their home by their boarder, Davenport. In 1970, Wilson's variety series, The Flip Wilson Show, debuted on NBC. After bouncing from foster homes to reform school, sixteen-year-old Wilson lied about his age and joined the United States Air Force. He greeted all his guests with the "Flip Wilson Handshake": four hand slaps, two elbow bumps, finishing with two hip-bumps. He served four years in the Air Force, earning the nickname "Flip" for his irreverent humor when he began entertaining troops. African-American singers such as Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, The Chi-Lites, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight & the Pips, The Pointer Sisters, Charley Pride, Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, and The Supremes appeared on the program, as well as many contemporary white entertainers like Bobby Darin (a frequent guest on his show), Bing Crosby (two appearances),[2] Roy Clark, Joan Rivers, The Osmonds, Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, and Pat Boone. Wilson's clout allowed him to get both the new breakout performers (such as The Jackson 5, Roberta Flack, Sandy Duncan, Lily Tomlin, George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Richard Pryor, Albert Brooks, Lola Falana, and Melba Moore, all of whom became very popular during this period) as well as established singers. He hosted many African-American entertainers, including The Jackson Five and The Temptations. Today Flip Wilson would be 89 years old. The Flip Wilson Show is an hour-long variety show that originally aired in the US on NBC from September 17, 1970, to June 27, 1974. The former golf pros sisters, Tamara and Stacy, have become an actress and a nurse, respectively. When Wilson was seven years old, his mother abandoned the family. The inebriated character he portrayed proved popular, and he began performing it in clubs throughout California. Family (4) The tv actor Flip Wilson died at the age of 64. "He led with a brand of comedy that was clean and decent and not vulgar. In the early 1970s, Wilson hosted his own weekly variety series, The Flip Wilson Show. Leroy, pastor of the "The Church of What's Happening Now." While breakthrough actors like Bill Cosby on "I Spy" and Diahann Carroll in "Julia" had roles that downplayed their racial identity, Wilson reveled in such characters as Leroy, pastor of the "Church of What's Happening Now," who Wilson said was based on a preacher he listened to as a child. FLIP'S CHILDREN "The secret of my success with Geraldine is that she's not a putdown of women," he once said. Clerow Wilson was born into poverty on Dec. 8, 1933, in Jersey City, N.J., and raised in foster homes, quitting school at 16. Flip attended Hinton Elementary and later graduated from Putnam City High School in Warr Acres, Oklahoma. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wilson was married twice. If they get any more equal, I don't want it.". During his last year in office, there is evidence that Wilsons second wife, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, may have served as acting president for the debilitated and bed-ridden president who often communicated through her. American comedian and actor (1933-1998) - Flip Wilson was born in Jersey City (city in New Jersey, United States) on December 8th, 1933 and died in Malibu (city in Los Angeles County, California, United States) on November 25th, 1998 at the age of 64. Wilson died of liver cancer Wednesday night at his Malibu home with his daughter, Michelle, by his side, said Angie Hill, the comedian's assistant. In November 1920, President Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts at Versailles. In late 1971, gospel legend Mahalia Jackson made one of her last public performances on The Flip Wilson Show. He married first wife, Lovenia Patricia Wilson in 1957 and they divorced after 10 years. At sixteen, the boy joined the airforce, where he earned his nickname, Flip. What is the birth name of. From 1970 to 1974, Wilson hosted his own weekly variety series The Flip Wilson Show, and introduced viewers to his recurring character Geraldine. This illness likely contributed to Wilsons uncharacteristic failure to reach a compromise with the American opponents to the European agreements, and in November the U.S. Senate refused to ratify the Treaty of Versailles or the League of Nations. Wilson acted in TV and theatrical movies, including Uptown Saturday Night and The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh. Flip Wilson, who made U.S. TV history by becoming the first black comedian to successfully host his own variety series and whose humor never turned angry died of liver cancer Wednesday. At Versailles, Wilson was the only Allied leader who foresaw the future difficulty that might arise from forcing punitive peace terms on an economically ruined Germany. He was also a regular cast member on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In. From 2012 to 2016, half-hour versions of the show aired on the Aspire network. Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC The wins were both in 1971, for Outstanding Variety SeriesMusical and Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety or Music. In 1917, the renewal of German submarine warfare against neutral American ships, and the Zimmerman Note, which revealed a secret alliance proposal by Germany to Mexico, forced Wilson to push for Americas entry into the war. Flip Wilson, the first black host of a highly rated television variety show and a gifted comic who created Geraldine and other humorous characters, died Wednesday night of liver cancer at his Malibu home. Occupied by read more, On February 3, 2002, the New England Patriots shock football fans everywhere by defeating the heavily favored St. Louis Rams, 20-17, to take home their first Super Bowl victory. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. #inline-recirc-item--id-9d050ff0-8c88-11e2-b06b-024c619f5c3d ~ .item:nth-child(5) { The televisions first black superstar has been married thrice, first to Lavenia Patricia Wilson in 1957, divorcing ten years later. The most enduring was the sassy, brazen Geraldine Jones, whose favorite topic was her jealous boyfriend, Killer. As Geraldine, in wig, high heels and mini-dress, Wilson coined phrases that became part of the national pop vocabulary, such as The devil made me do it, and, What you see is what you get!, The secret of my success with Geraldine is that shes not a put-down of women, he once said. Jesse Jackson, who said he had known the comedian since the 1970s. "He passed very peacefully in his sleep," Ms. Hill said. As the seasons went on, however, the show's ratings slipped; ratings across the variety show genre began a terminal decline in the mid-1970s. Leroy and other characters he mined for ethnic humor, died. When Wilson was seven years old, his mother abandoned the family. [9], Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 21:02, "The Chronological Bing Crosby on Television", "The TV Ratings Guide: 1973-74 TV Ratings History", "The Flip Wilson Show Golden Globe nominations", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Flip_Wilson_Show&oldid=1141972887, This page was last edited on 27 February 2023, at 21:02. Flip Wilson was born on December 8, 1933 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. Decades presented a Weekend Binge of the half-hour version on October 89, 2022. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Heres what to know, From Chris Rock to the SAG Awards. Flip died in 1998, shortly after being diagnosed with liver cancer in Malibu, California, at 64. Since the motorcycle crash about 27 years ago, the athlete has remained paralyzed from his shoulders down, and unable to walk or stand on both his feet. In this bit, Wilson retells the story of Christopher Columbus from an anachronistic urbanized viewpoint in which Columbus convinces the Spanish monarchs to fund his voyage by noting that discovering America means that he can also discover Ray Charles. 2 men found drugged after leaving NYC gay bars were killed, medical examiner says, School shooting survivor has emotional audition on "American Idol", How the creator of Dilbert went from star to "train wreck", Tiffany & Co. names BTS star Jimin as brand ambassador, Kiss announce farewell tour set to conclude in NYC. "I wanted to devote the same amount of time to my kids as I had to the show," he said in a 1985 interview with The Associated Press. Most drag impersonations are a drag. Comedian Flip Wilson, the first black to host a successful weekly variety series for a network, died Wednesday of liver cancer at his Malibu home. For the next decade, he worked only 20 weeks a year, mainly at nightclubs and conventions. [12], Some sources, including Wilson's obituary in, "Flip Wilson, outrageous comic and TV host, dies at 64", "Biographical Information on Flip Wilson", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flip_Wilson&oldid=1142274726, This page was last edited on 1 March 2023, at 14:06. He quit school at 16 and served four years in the Air Force. 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. / AP. But he assumed a lower profile after his show went off the air in 1974. Flip Wilson [1] 1933-1998 Comedian Entertained Airmen [2] Appeared on Laugh-In [3] . He died on November 25, 1998 in Malibu, California, USA. After The Flip Wilson Show ended its run, Wilson made guest appearances on many TV comedies and variety shows, such as Heres Lucy starring Lucille Ball, and The Dean Martin Show. Pats kicker Adam Vinatieri made a 48-yard field goal to win the game just as the clock expired. The embargo had been in place since 1975, when North Vietnamese forces captured the city of Saigon in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Here is all you want to know, and more! NBC's hit "The Flip Wilson Show" showcased the comedian's talents and brought a rare black voice, if sometimes stereotypical one, to TV during its 1970-74 run. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed When Hollywood began to seek out black entertainers in the '60s, his career took up an upward turn. "It would be ridiculous for me to say anything negative regarding blacks having an equal opportunity on TV," he said in 1971. The arrest of Fuchs led authorities to several other individuals involved in a spy ring, read more. 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 (with some seats located behind the sketch sets on occasion). Flip Wilson hosted The Flip Wilson Show, a variety series that debuted on NBC in 1970. Flip Wilson would have been 64 years old at the time of death or 81 years old today. The Flip Wilson Show aired from 1970 to 1974. Flip Wilson(1933-1998) Flip Wilson. In 1912, Governor Wilson of New Jersey was elected president in a landslide Democratic. During its run, it won two Emmy Awards out of eleven nominations. What could be more damn equal than that? I may have been the first black in the house for some white viewers. His outgoing personality made him popular. The late comedian arranged for his son to join golf pro, Charlie Sifford, on tour to master some swinging tips. A variety special in which he starred led to his own series, which earned him an Emmy for performing and one for writing in 1971. The Flip Wilson Show aired on NBC from 1970 to 1974. display: block; Wilson died of liver cancer Wednesday night at his Malibu home with his daughter, Michelle, by his side, said Angie Hill, the comedian's assistant. Her spunky catch phrases "The devil made me do it" and "What you see is what you get!" He was 64. The children have succeeded against the odds, sporting the genuine love for each other with which they were raised, making their beloved father proud. See GMA Host Lara Spencers Bikini Photos, Why Did Sara Haines Disappear During an Episode of The View? Some of "Geraldine's" most famous quotes are, "The Devil made me buy this dress! He had four children with his common-law wife Blonell Pitman. Several catchphrases popularized by Geraldine entered U.S . 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. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Other characters he created on the show included the Rev. George Carlin was one of the show's writers, and Carlin also made frequent appearances on the show, as the two would expand Carlin's news-weather-sports satire. You devil, you!" Wilson said he was based on a preacher he listened to as a child. He reappeared a decade later with two short-lived series: the 1984 quiz show "People Are Funny," for which he was host, and the 1985 CBS sitcom "Charlie & Company," which co-starred singer Gladys Knight. Discharged in 1954, Wilson spent more than a decade working at odd jobs and developing a comedy act in small clubs. Elliott: Kings use their heads over hearts in trading Jonathan Quick, Daisy Jones & the Six review: Riley Keough fronts a rock soap opera, Sweetie Pies alum Tim Norman gets life sentence for planned execution of nephew, Fox News finally reveals its kryptonite: the bottom line, Unlike Andor, Mandalorian is going all in on Star Wars lore. Wilsons characters included Reverend Leroy, a materialistic pastor of the Church of Whats Happening Now, and Geraldine Jones, who always referred to her boyfriend, Killer. Two days later, he was buried in Washingtons National Cathedral, the first president to be laid to rest in the nations capital. His inebriated character proved popular and Wilson began performing it in clubs throughout California. What do the parents perceive as their role to the Day Care worker? He also acted in the movies such as Uptown Saturday Night and The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh, and appeared in a musical adaptation of Pinocchio as the Fox. He was one of ten children born to Clerow Wilson, Sr. and Cornelia Wilson. With hours spent on the hospital bed, with nothing to do but stare at the stars and ceiling, the golfer soon found a way to indulge his first love, devising means of enjoying mental golf.. He was 64. Daisy Jones & the Six becomes the first fictional band to hit No. He acted out and ended up in juvenile detention. Geraldine Jones was a huge part of The Flip Wilson Show and was played by Wilson wearing women's clothing. He was asked to tour military bases to boost the morale of servicemen. If I could marry my motorcycle, Id roll her right up to the altar., My happiest memory of childhood was my first birthday in reform school. Wilson won both awards, with producer Bob Henry and executive producer Monte Kay also earning statuettes for the variety series honor and Herbert Baker, Hal Goodman, Larry Klein, Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf and Norman Steinberg for their writing. Its nice to look back and see how beloved he was, says Cook. "There was no vulgarity, there was no sleaze, there were no shock jokes. He caught Hollywoods attention with a routine titled Columbus from the album Cowboys and Colored People in which he tells the story of Christopher Columbus with modern characters mentioned in the acts anachronistically. The movies he acted in include Uptown Saturday Night and The Fish that Saved Pittsburgh. In 1957, Flip Wilson married Lovenia Patricia Wilson. Shes smart, shes trustful, shes loyal, shes sassy. Woodrow Wilson, the 28th president of the United States, dies in Washington, D.C., at the age of 67. While David was sweating it out as the familys golfer, his dad had other interests, including cycling. The Flip Wilson Show won two Emmy Awards out of 18 nominations. In March 1981, Wilson was arrested and charged with possession of a small quantity of cocaine.[2]. Wilson also won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Leroy and other characters he mined for ethnic humor, died Wednesday night. Geraldine was played as a sassy and liberated Southern woman who was coarsely flirty yet faithful to her (unseen) boyfriend "Killer". When Hollywood began to seek out black entertainers in the 1960s, his career took an upward turn. "But in his simple way, he was dynamic and exciting.". He made his major breakthrough in television after an appearance on The Tonight Show, at Johnny Carsons invitation. Wilson also made guest appearances on numerous TV comedies and variety shows, such as Here's Lucy (in which he played the role of "Prissy" in a spoof of Gone with the Wind with Lucille Ball as Scarlett),[7] Laugh-In, and The Dean Martin Show, among others. From 2011 to 2012, the show aired on TV One. Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61 See Her Beautiful Bikini Photos, Emma Hemming Shares Sweet Video of Bruce Willis Prior to FTD Diagnosis, Chris ODowd Reflects on Career, New Comedy and Filming Bridesmaids. Following his death, the legend's $25million fortune was distributed among his biological children, each getting $375,000. What is are the functions of diverse organisms? In 1970, he won a Grammy Award for his comedy album "The Devil Made Me Buy This Dress". The latter earned the comedian a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. ", "Don't you touch me, honey, you don't know me that well! Next was his union with his common-law wife, Blondell Pitman, who became the mother of four of his children. The following year, The Flip Wilson Show won him a Golden Globe for Best TV Actor. A show hosted by a black had never been accepted, he said. ", Silver Saundors Friedman, owner of The Original New York Improvisation, a comedy club, said, "If you look at the history, there were no black comedians at all back then and the fact that he made it to prime time and stayed there quite a while -- this is inspiring to people who may have been 12, 13 or 14 years old back then.". Tags: American Born in 1933 Comedian Died in 1998. He is survived by sons Kevin and David, and daughters Stacey, Tamara and Michelle. He then spent more than a decade working at odd jobs and developing a comedy act in small clubs. On November 25, 1998, Wilson died from liver cancer in Malibu, California, 2 weeks before his 65th birthday. During MarchJuly 1984, Wilson hosted a revival of People are Funny. Their stepsister, Michelle, has succeeded in her own rights, becoming a jewelry designer. Wilson's warm and ebullient personality was infectious. Why do people say that forever is not altogether real in love and relationship. crossed all lines with his comedy, said the Rev. Two years later, he ended up in a foster home when his mother abandoned her crowd of children. He was 64. what makes muscle tissue different from other tissues? Flip Wilson (December 8, 1933 - November 25, 1998) was an African American comedian and actor. All Rights Reserved. DePatie-Freleng Enterprises featured Wilson in two animated TV specials, Clerow Wilson and the Miracle of P.S. But women can like Geraldine, men can like Geraldine, everyone can like Geraldine.. NBC offered him a chance to host his variety show, The Flip Wilson Show. "She's smart, she's trustful, she's loyal, she's sassy. But his fans, friends and family members have never forgotten him. He performed in comedy sketches and played host to many African-American entertainers, including Lena Horne, Harry Belafonte, Diahann Carroll, the Supremes, the Jackson Five, Aretha Franklin, the Temptations, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Redd Foxx, boxer Muhammad Ali and basketball player Bill Russell. President Bill Clinton lifts a 19-year-old trade embargo of the Republic of Vietnam. My main point is to be funny, he said. 1998 The Associated Press. . 14 and Clerow Wilson's Great Escape.[8]. 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. Wilson later singled out Sullivan as providing his biggest career boost. Flip Wilson was born on December 8, 1933 as Clerow Wilson, Jr. to Clerow Wilson, Sr. and Cornelia Wilson. Here is all you want to know, and more! [1] During its first two seasons, its Nielsen ratings made it the nation's second most watched show. Wilson died of liver cancer at his home in Malibu, California, on November 25, 1998. . If I can slip a message in there, fine.. On November 25, 1998, Wilson died from liver cancer in Malibu, California, aged 64. Other nominations included Outstanding Variety Series in 1972 and 1973; Outstanding Writing Achievement in Variety or Music in 1972 and 1973 (Dick Hills and Sid Green replaced Norman Steinberg in 1972 on the nomination, and Stan Burns, Peter Gallay, Don Hinkley, Mike Marmer and Paul McCauley replaced Hal Goodman, Larry Klein, Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf in 1973); Outstanding New Series in 1971; Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Variety or Music in 1971, 1972 and 1973, all for Tim Kiley; Outstanding Achievement in Live or Tape Sound Mixing in 1971 and 1972 for Dave Williams; Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction or Scenic Direction in 1971, 1972 and 1973 for Romain Johnston; Outstanding Single Program Variety or Musical in 1972; Outstanding Achievement in Lighting Direction in 1972 for John Nance; and Outstanding Achievement in Technical Direction in 1972 for technical director Louis Fusari and cameramen Ray Figelski, Rich Lombardo, Jon Olson and Wayne Osterhoudt. Who is Katy mixon body double eastbound and down season 1 finale? In 1954, Wilson was discharged in San Francisco and became a bellhop. Flip Wilson at the Advance art for THE FLIP WILSON SPECIAL. Kauna unahang parabula na inilimbag sa bhutan? Before he was out of his teens, Freddie Prinze was already a popular television and comedy star, and then he died at age 22. [2][a] In January1972, Time magazine featured Wilson's image on its cover and named him "TV's first black superstar". Thereafter, he married Tuanchai MacKenzie, and their marriage lasted from 1979 to 1984 when they divorced. He was a writer and actor, known for Flip (1970), The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh (1979) and Uptown Saturday Night (1974). But his fans, friends and family members have never forgotten him. Absence Explained, Out for a Swim! The series earned Wilson a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. He had undergone surgery Oct. 2.