Redd Foxx made America laugh every week as Fred Sanford—but behind the scenes, his real-life health scare nearly ended the show before it reached its peak.
It was during Season 3, while filming one of the show’s most physical episodes, that Foxx began experiencing severe chest pains. At first, the crew thought he was improvising—he was, after all, famous for faking heart attacks on screen with his “Elizabeth! I’m comin’!” routine. But this time, it wasn’t a joke.
Foxx collapsed on set and had to be rushed to the hospital. The diagnosis was a serious cardiovascular condition that doctors said was worsened by extreme stress, smoking, and lack of rest.
At the time, Foxx was known for his grueling work schedule and nightly stand-up performances. Between tapings, he was often traveling, partying, or pulling all-nighters writing material. “He didn’t sleep. He didn’t stop,” one co-star recalled. “The man ran on adrenaline.”
Producers were told that continuing the show without significant changes could be deadly for its star. For several episodes, writers quietly reduced Fred Sanford’s screen time. Lamont (Demond Wilson) carried more of the plot, and backup characters like Aunt Esther were given expanded roles.
Despite his health issues, Foxx refused to quit. He took time off, improved his diet, and even tried meditation—although he joked that “sitting still gave me more anxiety than heart attacks.” Still, the scare changed how the set operated. Breaks were more frequent, filming was shortened, and for the first time, Foxx began discussing life after Sanford and Son.
The health crisis remained a secret for years. NBC didn’t want the public to panic or the ratings to drop. But those close to Foxx said he was never quite the same. He became more reflective, more serious about legacy, and less interested in studio politics.
Ultimately, he returned stronger—but fans never realized how close they came to losing Fred Sanford at the height of his fame.
