‘Sanford and Son’ star Grady Demond Wilson dead at 79: Actor played lead role in beloved, groundbreaking 70s sitcom

nypost.com ^ | Jan. 31, 2026 | Alexandra Bellusci

[V_TWIN]

“Sanford and Son” star Grady Demond Wilson has died at the age of 79.

The actor, best known for playing Lamont Sanford, the son of Fred Sanford, in the smash-hit 1970s sitcom, died at his Palm Springs home on Friday following complications related to cancer.

Wilson’s son, Demond, confirmed the news to TMZ, saying: “I loved him. He was a great man.”

He is survived by his wife Cicely Johnson and their six children.

Wilson was the last surviving cast member from “Sanford and Son,” which aired on NBC.

[V_TWIN]

-

Well, that's two.... Catherine O'Hara and now Demond Wilson.... Who's gonna be #3?

-

[ConservativeMind]

I enjoyed him on that show.

He seemed a warm person.

[rey]

He was a Vietnam vet, I believe.

[scrabblehack]

There was another character on the show called Grady. I hadn’t known that Wilson’s real name was Grady.

The end credits mentioned “Steptoe and Son?” I’m guessing that was a similar show in another country?

[dfwgator]

Yes, it was the British version, that was Norman Lear’s inspiration for Sanford and Son.

[Sarah Barracuda]

Damn that sucks..TWO great legends in the acting business gone..its a real shame that they are both gone yet Kathy Griffin and Jane Fonda still breathe our air

[left that other site]

My favorite episode:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HurS5FQoea0

[UnwashedPeasant]

You could see his good-natured character come thru on the screen. He became an evangelical Christian minister in real life, and that was not surprising.

His full name was Grady Demond Wilson. Not to be confused with the character “Grady Wilson” who was the neighbor/friend on Sanford and Son. The headline confused me!

[RckyRaCoCo]

RIP...seemed like one of the good guys off screen.

[gloryblaze]

After watching some reruns a few years ago, I wanted to read his book, Second Banana, but it was rare as hen's teeth. RIP, fellow.

[House Atreides]

That was a great entertaining show. They don’t make them like that now.

RIP

[rey]

Yes, he was a Vietnam vet and Purple Heart recipient.

[smokingfrog]

Oh, no! Not Grady….
He had the patience of Job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw68InCkUq4

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

Ground breaking? I thought that was AMOS AND ANDY!

[x]

Was he sort of Meathead to Redd Foxx’s Archie?

[x]

So I guess the whole family is finally back together.

[MotorCityBuck]

Big Dummy!

RIP

Loved watching with my father.

[higgmeister]

RIP, Grady Demond Wilson.   You portrayed Lamont to always keep Fred on the straight and narrow.

[MotorCityBuck]

Rosie.

[dfwgator]

I always thought George Jefferson was the black “Archie”, IIRC, Norman Lear said that the George Jefferson character was a Republican.