Fans remember Sanford and Son for its hilarious banter between Fred and Lamont — but behind the scenes, tensions sometimes ran high.
Redd Foxx, already a successful stand-up comedian before joining the show, had a reputation for speaking his mind. During the show’s run, he walked off set multiple times over disputes about salary and working conditions. His absence even led to storylines being rewritten or episodes shot without Fred Sanford entirely.
Despite the drama, co-star Demond Wilson (Lamont) often defended Foxx, saying the actor fought for fair pay at a time when networks undervalued minority-led shows. Many cast and crew members acknowledged that Foxx’s demands ultimately improved the working environment for everyone.
By the time the series ended in 1977, the behind-the-scenes battles had become part of its legend — a reminder that even the funniest shows can have serious struggles behind the camera.
