Demond Wilson, Lamont on ‘Sanford and Son,’ Dies at 79

The Hollywood Reporter ^ | January 31, 2026 | Mike Barnes

[PallMal]

Demond Wilson, who starred alongside Redd Foxx and answered to “Hey, Dummy” for six seasons on the wildly popular 1970s NBC sitcom Sanford and Son, has died. He was 79.

[PallMal]

RIP.

[USMC79to83]

It was a great show and he was an amazing character. Fondly remembered.

RIP

[FlingWingFlyer]

RIP. IMHO, Sanford and Son was a special show for its time. Never missed an episode.

[Texas Eagle]

Wow. First Catherine O’Hara and now Demond Wilson. These things always happen in threes. Who’s next?

[No name given]

Rest In Peace, Demond Wilson.

[Beowulf9]

Aww. Lamont. He was so good in that role. RIP

Demond Wilson.

[Joe 6-pack]

By all accounts I've ever read/heard about him, he was a good man, and decent human being.

RIP and thanks for the laughs.

[shotgun]

You BIG DUMMY!

R.I.P.

[Beowulf9]

This guy won a Purple Heart! He was a Vet and married to the same woman since 1974!

This was a GOOD guy!

Years active 1968–2023
Spouse Cicely Johnston ​(m. 1974)​[1]
Children 6
Military career
Allegiance United States
Branch United States Army
Service years 1966–1968
Unit 4th Infantry Division
Conflicts
Vietnam War
Awards Purple Heart

[simpson96]

He was a very good “straight man” to Redd Fox, as well as being a good comedic actor. RIP, Demond.

[DIRTYSECRET]

Like all good acts he was the straight man to Fred’s dourness.

Aunt Ester was my favorite. A bible thumper, she was the compliment to Uncle Woody’s drinking. What made it so funny is the reflection it had on the black experience.

[dfwgator]

RIP You Big Dummy.

[TangoLimaSierra]

Surprised to find out his first name is Grady.

[webheart]

They don’t happen in threes they happen in thousands. It’s not difficult to find three similarities in a sample of several thousand. Classic confirmation bias.

[Texas Eagle]

Yer no fun.

[A strike]

He was so down to earth.
Rest in Peace

[Organic Panic]

A past to Demon with the finest vintage of ripple out there.

[Ezekiel]

One of the best shows ever.

Back when there used to be something on TV.

RIP, Lamont.

[WhiteHatBobby0701]

It was his eponymous son Grady Demond Jnr who broke the news.

[crusty old prospector]

RIP.