My happiest memory of childhood was my first birthday in reform school. This teacher took an interest in me. In fact, he gave me the first birthday presents I ever got: a box of Cracker Jacks and a can of ABC shoe polish.

Ed Sullivan invited Wilson to perform several times on his popular Sunday night show and Wilson would later single out Sullivan as providing his biggest career boost. Personal life and death
Wilson was married twice; he married first wife Lovenia Wilson in 1957: they divorced in 1967. Then in 1979 he married Tuanchai MacKenzie.

The series earned Wilson a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards. (December 8 1933 – November 25 1998) known professionally as Flip Wilson was an American comedian and actor.