Posted on 01/31/2026 1:15:36 PM PST by Morgana
Grady Demond Wilson, best known for playing Lamont Sanford on the hit NBC sitcom Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 79.
The beloved actor passed away Friday morning at his home in Palm Springs, California, following complications related to cancer.
His son, Demond Wilson Jr., confirmed the news to TMZ, though he did not disclose the specific type of cancer his father had been battling.
'I loved him. He was a great man,' Demond Jr. told the outlet.
Wilson starred opposite Redd Foxx as Fred Sanford’s sharp-tongued son on Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1977.
After the show’s success, he went on to headline several television projects, including a lead role on the short-lived sitcom Baby… I’m Back!.
Appearing opposite Foxx on Sanford & Son, the duo helped push boundaries with one of television’s earliest Black-led sitcoms.
'Redd and I were making history back in those days,' Demond wrote in his 2009 autobiography.
'We were the first Blacks to be on television in that capacity and we opened the door for all those other shows that came after us.'
Wilson is survived by his wife, former model Cicely Johnston, along with their six children.
The couple married in 1974 and later devoted much of their life together to their shared Christian faith.
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I never missed an episode.
Funny thing is it was horribly produced. Mike Booms in shots. You could see behind the sets sometimes. Had to do reshoots because Foxx kept cussing.
Big favorite was Bubba pretending to be Blind Melon Chitling (or something) “ I want my daddy’s records.”
Grady was the best character
Big favorite was Bubba pretending to be Blind Melon Chitling (or something) “ I want my daddy’s records.”
I thought Blind Melon Chitlin did “Goin’ Downtown To See My Gal.”
And Redd Foxx’s given name was actually John Sanford.
I looked it up...Blind Melon Jelly was the name Bubba used.
Fred is absolutely merciless!
I loved Sanford and Son, one of the greatest shows of the 70’s. Rest in Peace Mr. Wilson.
AI>>>>>>>>>>>
Friendships Before Fame
In the 1940s, a young John Elroy Sanford (later known as Redd Foxx) worked as a dishwasher at Jimmy’s Chicken Shack in Harlem, New York City.
At the same place, Malcolm Little (before he became Malcolm X) also worked, and because both had reddish hair, friends nicknamed them “Chicago Red” (Foxx) and “Detroit Red” (Malcolm).
They became close friends and street companions during that time.
🧠 How the Relationship Is Remembered
In The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Malcolm X famously refers to his friend as “Chicago Red, the funniest dishwasher on this earth.”
Their friendship included hustling in Harlem before either became famous, and they eventually went their separate ways as their lives took very different directions.
Oddly, he did not get offers to work after Sanford due to a rumor he was hard to work with. That can sometimes be a Hollywood term for “notices things that aren’t for noticing”.
Don’t forget Slick Skillet and Lucky LeRoy.
Oh, I could NEVER forget them. I checked them as well. Skillet, Leroy, LaWanda, ALL of them sadly.
I checked earlier, he was the LAST of the characters from S&S to be alive. Rollo, the cops, all of them gone already.
Smitty and Hoppy are still alive. Rollo and Julio died a few years ago. The rest a long time ago. Great show and part of my youth watching reruns of it. RIP.
You’re right! Smitty and Hoppy are still alive! “Donna” died last year.
When the complete edition of Sanford & Son first came out on DVD I bought it and took it on a trip to Spain. Just about drove my better half crazy. I guess a TV marathon of Fred, Lamont and Co. wasn’t her idea of fun on the Costa Brava. Haha.
I’m just surprised she didn’t start saying “YOU BIG DUMMY!” when addressing you. :-D
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