What happened to Demond Wilson, ‘Lamont’ from Sanford and Son?
A look back at Demond Wilson’s life and career shows that he was more than just a “huge dummy” as his on-screen father often accuses him of being.
Wilson is best known for his role as “son” Lamont Sanford on Sanford and Son, one of the first sitcoms to feature a predominantly African-American cast.
What did Demond Wilson do after Sanford and Son last hit the screen in 1977? Let’s look back at his career and see what he’s up to today!
Basic information
Wilson was born on October 13, 1946 in Valdosta, Georgia, but he moved as a child and grew up in New York City. His mother was 46 years old when she had him. His parents have been married for nearly 70 years. Wilson credits his stable education for his nearly 50-year marriage. As a performer, Wilson has been dancing and acting since she was a child. He appeared on Broadway at age 12 and acted in radio commercials.
From 1966 to 1968, Wilson served in the United States Army and fought in the Vietnam War, but he was wounded and sent home to continue his life as a decorated veteran.
Acting career
After serving in the Vietnam War, Wilson struggled to find work. He broke into television with shows such as Mission: Impossible and All in the Family, which led to being cast opposite Redd Foxx in Sanford and Son in 1972.
Sanford and son
A look back at Demond Wilson’s life and career shows that he was more than just a “huge dummy” as his on-screen father often accuses him of being.Wilson is best known for his role as “son” Lamont Sanford on Sanford and Son , one of the first sitcoms to feature a predominantly African-American cast.
What did Demond Wilson do after Sanford and Son last hit the screen in 1977? Let’s look back at his career and see what he’s up to today!
Wilson said he and Foxx immediately agreed because they were both from Harlem. Their on-screen chemistry mirrors their off-screen friendship, which evolves from mentor/student to father/son to brothers.
The series follows Sanford, an LA-based junk dealer, and his son Lamont, played by Demond Wilson, as they hatch bold plans to get rich quickly.
Their plans rarely or never worked, but Foxx and Wilson’s on-screen antics had audiences roaring with laughter. The chemistry works both on and off the set, and that’s what’s kept the show fresh for six seasons and a total of 135 episodes, all of which feature Wilson’s Lamont Sanford.
Wilson briefly took the lead, along with Whitman Mayo’s Grady, when Foxx left Sanford and Sons over a salary dispute in 1974, but the dispute was resolved and Foxx returned soon after. He missed a total of nine episodes because of dissent. Although three episodes of Season 4 were filmed before Foxx’s return, NBC aired his return as the season premiere.
Sanford and Son continued to achieve good ratings and viewership until 1977. Foxx received an offer from ABC to host a variety show, The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour. Wilson agreed to stay and play Lamont, but he wanted more money. When NBC couldn’t raise his salary, Wilson left too, taking a role on a CBS sitcom called Baby, I’m Back!
Both Foxx and Wilson’s post-Sanford and Sons projects were notable failures, with Foxx’s variety show canceled within a month and Baby…I’m Back! received thirteen episodes before cancellation. Foxx would try to bring Sanford and Son back in 1981, but Wilson refused to reprise his role and so it aired for two short seasons and was titled Sanford only.
It is possible that this led to a split between the two, as Wilson claims to have only met Foxx once between 1977 when the show ended and 1991 when Foxx died–
“I met Redd Foxx once before he died, around 1983, and I never saw him again. At the time, I was playing tennis at the Malibu Tennis Club and was contacted by some producers about doing a Redd Foxx 50th Anniversary Special. I hadn’t spoken to him since 1977 and I called the club where [Redd] was playing. And we met in Redd’s office, but he was less than welcoming.”
Wilson also shared that Foxx never told him privately that he intended to leave Sanford and Son after Season 6–
“I have no grudge against Foxx because I had a multi-million dollar deal with CBS to do Baby…I’m Back! What hurt me was that he didn’t come to me about throwing in the towel. I found out about it from an announcer in the NBC lobby.”
However, Wilson could never be angry at his on-screen father, “I forgave him and I loved Redd, but I never forgot that. Love was there. You can watch any episode and see that.”
What did Wilson do after Sanford and Son?
Wilson left Sanford and Son to play Raymond Ellis in Baby…I’m Back! The 1978 CBS comedy focuses on the character of Wilson, a compulsive gambler who returns after abandoning his family and being declared legally dead in an attempt to win back his wife before she relapses. kiss another man.
Honey! Enjoyed thirteen episodes in one season before cancellation.
Wilson will later take on the role of Oscar Madison on the ABC sitcom The New Odd Couple, which reprized the famous roles of the slovenly Oscar and the prim and tidy Felix Unger, played by Ron Glass, along with other characters. African American actors to bring a fresh perspective on the classic. document source.
The New Odd Couple aired eighteen episodes between 1982 and 1983, but did not return for a second season.
Wilson will only appear in three more roles to date – Me and the Kid in 1993, Hammerlock in 2000 and a TV series called Girlfriends which featured Wilson in four episodes between 2004 and 2005.
What is Demond Wilson doing now?
Wilson largely left television and film behind after 2005, but did appear in a show called Praise the Lord that aired on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, an international Christian network.
Wilson also acted in and produced a family film called Faith Ties, which depicts a drunken old man who gives up on life as the film’s protagonist, a preacher, tries to offer salvation and redemption. to him through God.
Additionally, Wilson returned to his theater roots and in 2011, toured with actress Nina Nicole to make The Measure of a Man, a faith-based film set in Georgia.
Wilson, author
Wilson’s first book, titled The New Age Millennium, was published in December 1998, and was described by Wilson as an “exposition” of the “symbols and slogans” of the New Age Movement. New era.
His second book, a memoir titled The Second Banana: A Bittersweet Memoir of the Sanford & Son Years, was not released until 2009. It recounts the trials and tribulations of his time working with Redd Foxx on the set of Sanford and Son, the larger implications of their history-making TV show, and a behind-the-scenes look at the actors joining.
In addition to these larger literary works, Wilson also wrote a number of children’s books.
From actor to Minister
Wilson was raised Catholic, but he rekindled his relationship with God in 1982 when he was near rock bottom. At the time, he earned $40,000 in Hollywood and spent a large portion on cocaine. He also had an affair and, combined with drugs, his marriage was in turmoil.
Wilson prayed to God to help him find the strength to turn his situation around and sure enough, he began to recover. He is obsessed with the Bible and spirituality. By 1984, he became an ordained minister and in 1985, he founded Demond Wilson Ministries, headquartered in Laguna Hills, California.
After retiring from acting, Wilson became an evangelist, preaching in large auditoriums of up to 6,000 people. He often preached with another evangelist and was backed by a five-piece band and a group of eight gospel singers.
Personal life
Wilson married former actress Cicely Johnston in 1974 and although they went through difficult times before Wilson’s spiritual awakening, they are still married today.
They have six children together.
