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.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Great actor! Great show! RiP.
These Blasts from the Past
Are Bitter/Sweet.
RIP
Yes indeed!
RIP.
He was an ordained minister.
Six children.
Wiki
“Great actor! Great show! RIP”
Indeed.
I didn’t know his first name was Grady, not that common of a name. Probably no coincidence that one of the main characters on SAS as played by Whitman Mayo was “Grady Wilson”
“Multiple obituaries and tributes state that Grady Demond Wilson was wounded in Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division.”
I didn’t know his first name was Grady, not that common of a name.
____________________
“Grady Demond Wilson was born in Valdosta, Georgia, on October 13, 1946.”
Grady is down home, Southern kind of name.
It was a funny show Sanford and son. I watched many episodes. Although I appreciate healthy life in my mid-80’s, so many people around me are no more. One of the negatives of long life.
Reminds me of Grady Tate, the great jazz drummer who played in Quincy Jones’s band. He was born in North Carolina. Incidentally it was Quincy Jones who wrote and produced the theme to Sanford and Son.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyqKdqB3kbw&list=RDAyqKdqB3kbw&start_radio=1
Never heard the “Grady” part of his name until he’s dead. Always heard his name was Demond Wilson. Really odd there was ALSO a character on the show named Grady if true.
Rip to a family man, Vietnam vet and good citizen.
Ordained minister, veteran, Father, Husband and gave joy to millions of people. A life well lived indeed!!
I have vaguely heard about Grady Tate. What an interesting coincidence. Quincy Jones was everywhere back then, he was a self created man. Practically none of them had any formal music lessons. lolsz.
“Never heard the “Grady” part of his name until he’s dead. Always heard his name was Demond Wilson. Really odd there was ALSO a character on the show named Grady if true”
Yep, see my post #9
RIP
I checked earlier, he was the LAST of the characters from S&S to be alive. Rollo, the cops, all of them gone already.
I might have to queue up Big Money Grip tonight in his honor.
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