Redd Foxx was once America’s king of comedy — so why did he die penniless, ignored, and working until his last breath?
John Elroy Sanford, known to the world as Redd Foxx, changed the face of American comedy. With a razor-sharp tongue and a fearless, filthy mouth, he was hailed as “The King of the Party Records” in the 1950s and 60s — the first Black comedian to crack up both Black and white audiences in segregated America. Then, in the 1970s, he became a household name as Fred Sanford on the hit sitcom Sanford and Son.
But behind the iconic catchphrases — “You big dummy!” and “I’m comin’ Elizabeth!” — was a man drowning in financial chaos, betrayed by friends, targeted by the IRS, and ultimately abandoned by the very industry he helped break open.
From Nightclub Legend to Sitcom Royalty
Before Eddie Murphy, before Richard Pryor — there was Redd Foxx. He performed thousands of raunchy stand-up shows in smoky clubs, long before anyone dared put that kind of material on a record. He sold over 20 million comedy albums, making him one of the best-selling comedians of his time. But he made enemies with his refusal to censor himself.
In 1972, Sanford and Son debuted on NBC. The show was revolutionary — a working-class Black family on prime-time TV. It became a massive hit, and Foxx was suddenly a millionaire… but not for long.
IRS Raids, Lavish Spending, and Backstabbing
Redd Foxx wasn’t just a comedian — he was a spender. He lived like royalty: flashy cars, expensive clothes, and countless women. By the mid-80s, he owed the IRS over $3.6 million. In 1989, federal agents stormed the set of The Royal Family (his comeback show with Della Reese) and seized everything — down to his jewelry.
But the most shocking betrayal? Friends who disappeared. Big-name stars he mentored — like Eddie Murphy — were nowhere to be found when he needed help most.
A Death Too Ironic to Believe
On October 11, 1991, while rehearsing a scene for The Royal Family, Foxx clutched his chest and collapsed. Everyone thought he was doing his classic heart attack gag — the one he made famous on Sanford and Son.
But this time… it was real.
He died of a massive heart attack, flat broke, with no health insurance, and buried in a pauper’s grave until fans raised money for a proper funeral.
Legacy: A Forgotten Titan?
Why does America celebrate comedians he inspired — but barely talk about Redd Foxx? His impact on comedy is immeasurable. Without Redd, there would be no Pryor, no Murphy, no Chappelle. Yet his name is rarely mentioned alongside them.
Is it because he was too raw, too Black, too honest?
Maybe. Or maybe we just don’t like remembering that fame and genius are no shield against the cruelty of time… and taxes.
“He opened doors, and they slammed shut on him.”
– Comedian Paul Mooney, remembering Redd Foxx
