Few actors have left as lasting an impression on television history as Redd Foxx, the brilliant, boundary-pushing comedian who turned Sanford and Son into a cultural landmark. As Fred G. Sanford, Foxx brought his signature mix of insult comedy, physical humor, and raw authenticity to a role that would define a generation of sitcoms and inspire countless comedians after him.
From Stand-Up Rebel to TV Star
Born John Elroy Sanford in St. Louis in 1922, Redd Foxx began
Foxx was a pioneer of “blue” comedy — unfiltered, adult-oriented routines that tackled taboo subjects. He earned a cult following and was dubbed “the King of the Party Records” long before mainstream fame arrived.
The Role of a Lifetime: Fred G. Sanford
When Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin adapted the British series Steptoe and Son into an American sitcom, Foxx was their unlikely but perfect choice. Despite having no prior TV acting experience, he brought a commanding presence to the role of Fred Sanford — a cantankerous, sharp-tongued junk dealer in Watts, Los Angeles.
Foxx’s version of Fred was an exaggerated version of himself: loud, stubborn, cheap, and wildly theatrical. His catchphrases — “You big dummy!”, “How come I always gotta suffer?!”, and the iconic fake heart attack routine (“This is the big one, Elizabeth!”) — became staples of American comedy.
His real-life middle name, Sanford, was the inspiration behind the show’s title. Fred G. Sanford was actually named after Foxx’s late brother, and the “G” famously “stood for” anything Fred wanted at the moment.
A Trailblazer in Black Television
Foxx’s presence on prime-time television was groundbreaking. At a time when Black representation was scarce and often stereotyped, Sanford and Son featured a working-class Black family that dealt with real-life struggles — poverty, racism, aging — through humor and love. Foxx refused to sanitize his character or his comedy, helping to usher in a new era of bold, culturally resonant sitcoms.
His success paved the way for shows like Good Times, The Jeffersons, and later, Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Behind the Scenes: Conflict and Complexity
Though beloved by fans, Foxx was known for being difficult behind the scenes. He frequently clashed with producers over pay, script approval, and creative control. In fact, he walked off Sanford and Son in Season 3 over a contract dispute and again in Season 6, leading to the temporary absence of his character.
Despite the conflicts, Foxx remained the heart of the show. His chemistry with co-star Demond Wilson (Lamont Sanford) was electric — their father-son dynamic both hilarious and heartfelt.
Life After Sanford and Son
Following the show’s end in 1977, Foxx attempted several comebacks. He starred in The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour and later reunited with LaWanda Page in Sanford (1980), a short-lived continuation of the original series without Demond Wilson.
In the late 1980s, Foxx returned to TV with the NBC series The Royal Family, co-starring Della Reese. Sadly, during a rehearsal in 1991, Foxx suffered a fatal heart attack — an eerie echo of his famous on-screen bit — and died at the age of 68.
A Lasting Legacy
Redd Foxx was more than just a TV star — he was a revolutionary comedian who helped shift the boundaries of what Black performers could do on screen. His influence is still felt today in the work of comedians like Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock, and Kevin Hart.
Foxx once said, “I’m not a superstar, I’m just a super guy,” but for millions of fans who grew up watching Sanford and Son, he was both.
