The Name Behind the Laughter: Why the Star of ‘Sanford and Son’ Isn’t Really Redd Foxx
For generations of television viewers, Redd Foxx is a household name. As the cantankerous, junk-collecting patriarch Fred G. Sanford in the iconic sitcom “Sanford and Son,” he brought a unique brand of raunchy, quick-witted, and riotously funny comedy into American living rooms. His catchphrases, from “You big dummy!” to the classic “I’m coming, Elizabeth!” became part of the cultural lexicon. His on-screen persona was so distinct and so powerful that it’s easy to assume the man and the character were one and the same. But the truth is, the name that made him a star was one he chose for himself. The real name of the comedy legend, the man who brought so much laughter to the world, might surprise you.
Before he was the loud, boisterous junkman, before he was a controversial stand-up comedian, and long before he was Redd Foxx, he was a young man from St. Louis named John Elroy Sanford. His journey from that name to the one the world knows is a fascinating story of reinvention, a testament to his ambition and his unique comedic spirit.
The Name Reveal: A Look Beyond the Stage
The name Redd Foxx is a persona, a stage name that the actor adopted as a young man. The name is a direct reflection of his early life and his larger-than-life personality. The “Redd” came from his nickname, which he earned for his notably reddish hair. The “Foxx” was a tribute to a fellow performer and vaudeville comedian, Stepin Fetchit, whose real name was Lincoln Perry, and who was known for his work in the 1920s and 30s.
This choice of a stage name was a deliberate act of self-creation, a common practice for performers looking to establish a memorable identity. But for John Elroy Sanford, it was more than just a name; it was a shield, a banner under which he would build a groundbreaking career in comedy. By taking on the persona of Redd Foxx, he was able to explore a style of humor that was raw, honest, and often too shocking for mainstream audiences at the time.
The St. Louis Kid Who Found His Voice
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1922, John Elroy Sanford had a tough childhood. His father left the family when he was just four years old, and he was raised by his mother and grandmother. He developed his wit and comedic timing at a young age, using humor as a way to cope with life’s hardships. In his teenage years, he moved to Chicago and then to New York City, where he began to perform as a stand-up comedian.
He found his footing in the rough-and-tumble world of comedy clubs, where he honed his craft and developed his signature style. This was long before television, a time when a comedian’s reputation was built on live performances and word-of-mouth. It was on these stages that the persona of Redd Foxx was born, and the young John Elroy Sanford began to transform into a force of nature.
From Nightclub Stages to ‘Party’ Records
Before he became a television star, Redd Foxx was a giant in the stand-up world. He was a master of a different kind of comedy, one that was far more explicit and adult-oriented than what was seen on mainstream television. He performed on the “Chitlin’ Circuit,” a network of venues that catered to Black entertainers and audiences during the era of racial segregation. His humor was not for the faint of heart; it was filled with profanity, sexual innuendo, and raw observations about life.
He was so popular on this circuit that he became one of the first comedians to record “party records” — underground comedy albums that were sold under the counter. These records were a phenomenon, and they were the way that many people, particularly Black Americans, heard his comedy for the first time. He released over 50 of these albums, solidifying his reputation as a groundbreaking and influential comedian. His humor was ahead of its time, and his willingness to push boundaries paved the way for future generations of comedians.
This era of his career is a crucial part of understanding his genius. The Fred G. Sanford that millions of people came to know and love was a sanitized, family-friendly version of his stand-up persona. The quick wit, the sharp comebacks, and the genius of his timing were all honed on those stages, where he performed without a filter.
The Sanford and Son Phenomenon
The television world was an entirely different beast, but it was one that Redd Foxx was ready for. Producer Bud Yorkin, who was a fan of Foxx’s party records, decided to take a risk and cast him in a new sitcom. The show, “Sanford and Son,” was based on a British comedy and centered on a junk dealer in Los Angeles. The genius of the show was in its casting of Redd Foxx as the lead. He was able to translate his stand-up persona—the loud, opinionated, and lovable curmudgeon—into a character that was relatable and hilarious to a mainstream audience.
The show was a massive hit. It was groundbreaking for its time, as it was one of the first successful sitcoms to feature an all-Black cast and a Black protagonist who wasn’t a stereotype. Foxx’s comedic genius, his ability to improvise, and his natural charisma made the show a cultural phenomenon. It was here that the world fell in love with Fred G. Sanford, the man who was so quick to feign a heart attack and so slow to get out of a chair.
The show made Redd Foxx a superstar, but it also pigeonholed him in the public eye. Many people who came to know him from the show never got to see the man who revolutionized stand-up comedy and sold millions of records under a different persona.
A Life of Laughter, a Legacy of Love
The life of John Elroy Sanford, a.k.a. Redd Foxx, was a rollercoaster of incredible highs and devastating lows. While his professional career was filled with success, he also struggled with financial problems, a testament to the difficult journey of many comedians and entertainers of his era. His death, which tragically occurred on the set of a television show in a moment of pure irony, brought a devastating close to his career.
In the end, the name he chose for himself, Redd Foxx, is what he is remembered by. But the man who bore the name, John Elroy Sanford, is the true legacy. He was a brilliant comedian, a pioneer, and an icon who paved the way for generations of performers. He taught a generation that laughter could be found in the most unexpected places and that true comedy was about being unapologetically yourself. His story, from his beginnings as a young boy with a different name to his status as a television legend, is a testament to the power of a dream, a lot of hard work, and the kind of laughter that will never die.
