He Played the Coolest Cat on Sanford and Son—Then He Chose a Different Path
Every time Rollo stepped onto the screen, you knew something slick, funny, and maybe illegal was about to happen. Played by Nathaniel Taylor, Rollo Lawson was Lamont’s streetwise best friend—complete with flashy clothes, fast talk, and endless confidence.
He gave Fred Sanford headaches and gave viewers belly laughs.
But after the series ended, Nathaniel Taylor didn’t chase Hollywood fame. Instead, he shifted toward a quieter life—mentoring youth in his community, staying close to faith, and avoiding the Hollywood spotlight.
“Rollo was smooth on TV,” one fan recalled. “But Nathaniel Taylor was solid in real life.”
His contribution to Black sitcom history can’t be overstated. He showed that the “cool friend” didn’t have to be a joke—he could be layered, funny, and real.
