Few actors defined a television era like Redd Foxx, the electric force behind Fred Sanford in Sanford and Son. When he passed away on October 11, 1991, at age 68, the world didn’t just lose a comedian — it lost a trailblazer who changed what comedy could be on TV.
Foxx was born John Elroy Sanford in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1922. After rising to fame through raunchy stand-up routines on the so-called “Chitlin’ Circuit,” he shocked mainstream America by becoming a network TV star on NBC. With his raspy voice, exaggerated heart attacks (“Elizabeth, I’m comin’!”), and quick wit, Foxx gave Sanford and Son its soul.
But Redd Foxx was more than his punchlines. Behind the gruff exterior was a sharp mind who fought hard for Black talent in front of and behind the camera. He often demanded better pay, more creative freedom, and equal treatment — setting the stage for future stars like Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.
Ironically, Foxx died of a real heart attack on the set of The Royal Family, another sitcom. Colleagues initially thought he was joking, echoing his famous Sanford bit. The moment became tragic and symbolic: a man who gave everything to comedy died in its service.
Today, Sanford and Son lives on in reruns, but it’s Redd Foxx’s raw energy, timing, and presence that keeps it relevant. He didn’t just open doors for Black comedians — he kicked them down with a punchline.
