Before he became Fred Sanford, Redd Foxx was already a comedy legend in the nightclub circuit — known for his razor-sharp wit, lightning timing, and material that was far too raw for television. But when NBC cast him in Sanford and Son, Foxx proved he could adapt his style without losing his edge.
Writers often crafted scripts with Foxx’s improvisational skills in mind, leaving room for ad-libs and spontaneous facial expressions that couldn’t be scripted. One famous example came in the episode “A House is Not a Pool Room,” where Fred’s mock heart attack (“It’s the big one, Elizabeth!”) wasn’t in the original draft — it was Foxx riffing on the spot, and it became one of the most quoted lines in sitcom history.
Foxx also brought a grounded authenticity to Fred’s street smarts, drawn from his own upbringing in St. Louis and years hustling gigs in small clubs. Co-star Demond Wilson once said, “When Redd looked at you as Fred, you weren’t just acting — you believed him.”
It’s that blend of raw comedic instinct and lived experience that made Fred Sanford more than a TV character. He became a cultural icon — the kind of figure who could make you laugh, cringe, and nod in recognition all in the same scene.
