For generations of television viewers, no show was more iconically hilarious than Sanford and Son. Set in a junkyard in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, the sitcom’s genius was in its perfectly cast ensemble, led by the incomparable Redd Foxx. The show’s rapid-fire wit, slapstick humor, and surprisingly tender moments were all brought to life by a group of actors who became household names. Their on-screen chemistry and comedic timing were a masterclass in television performance, and the characters they created have lived on in syndication for decades.
But as with any beloved show, time has taken its toll on the cast. A number of the show’s most cherished stars have passed away, leaving a void in the hearts of fans who grew up with them. This article serves as a heartfelt tribute, a look back at the incredible lives and legacies of the deceased cast members of Sanford and Son, honoring the laughter and joy they brought to the world.
Redd Foxx (Fred G. Sanford) – The Heart and Soul
There is no way to talk about Sanford and Son without first and foremost talking about the show’s heart and soul, the man who brought the cantankerous junkman Fred Sanford to life. Redd Foxx was a trailblazing stand-up comedian long before he was a television star, and his career paved the way for a generation of Black comedians. As Fred Sanford, he was a comedic genius, a master of a thousand insults, a thousand grumbles, and a thousand faked heart attacks. His on-screen dynamic with Demond Wilson, who played his son Lamont, was the engine of the show, a perfect balance of paternal annoyance and deep, abiding love.
Foxx’s life was a complex mix of professional triumphs and personal struggles, including a public battle with the IRS that left him in dire financial straits. His death, on October 11, 1991, during a rehearsal for his new sitcom, The Royal Family, was a moment of shocking and heartbreaking irony. As he collapsed on set, having a real, fatal heart attack, his cast and crew initially laughed, believing he was performing his most famous comedic shtick. The joke that brought laughter for over a decade became his final, tragic act, a devastating parallel that remains one of the most poignant moments in television history.
LaWanda Page (Aunt Esther) – The Unforgettable Foil
If Fred Sanford was the show’s comedic heart, then LaWanda Page as Aunt Esther was its fiery soul. A friend of Redd Foxx from their days on the stand-up comedy circuit, Page was brought on to play Fred’s Bible-thumping, cane-wielding, and famously eye-rolling nemesis. Their on-screen relationship was one of the most legendary rivalries in sitcom history, a battle of wits that was both vicious and hilarious.
With her signature catchphrases like “You ol’ fish-eyed fool!” and her exasperated cries of “Lord, have mercy!”, Page’s Aunt Esther was the perfect foil to Fred’s antics. She was a force of nature, a woman who would not be cowed by Fred’s insults. Behind the scenes, the on-screen animosity was a performance, a testament to the decades-long friendship between Foxx and Page. After a long career in entertainment, LaWanda Page passed away in 2002 from complications of diabetes, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most unforgettable comedic actresses in television history.
Whitman Mayo (Grady Wilson) – The Lovable Stand-In
When Redd Foxx briefly walked off the show in a salary dispute in the mid-1970s, the producers turned to a new character to fill the void: Grady Wilson. As played by the lovable Whitman Mayo, Grady was Fred Sanford’s good-natured, slightly befuddled best friend. He was a perfect fit for the show, a character who could anchor the scenes with Lamont and the rest of the cast.
Grady’s most famous moment came when he was given the responsibility of looking after the junkman’s business, a task he was hilariously ill-equipped for. His friendly, often confused demeanor was a refreshing change of pace from Fred’s constant scheming, and his presence on the show proved that the Sanford and Son universe was rich enough to thrive even without its lead star. Mayo’s performance was a testament to his incredible talent and his ability to create a character that was both a standalone presence and a loving part of the show’s world. After a long career on television, Whitman Mayo passed away in 2001 from a heart attack, leaving behind a legacy as one of television’s most beloved stand-ins.
The Rest of the Deceased Cast
The heart of Sanford and Son was its ensemble, and a number of other beloved character actors have also passed on, each leaving a unique and lasting impression on the show’s legacy.
- Don Bexley (Bubba Bexley): As Fred Sanford’s loyal best friend, Bubba Bexley was a constant presence at the junkyard. Played by the talented Don Bexley, Bubba was a kind, supportive figure who often served as Fred’s sidekick and confidant. His good-natured humor and his ability to effortlessly go along with Fred’s wildest schemes made him a vital part of the show’s dynamic. Bexley passed away in 2002 from heart and kidney complications, but his on-screen loyalty to Fred Sanford remains a powerful part of the show’s legacy.
- Raymond Allen (Uncle Woody): As a good-natured friend to Fred, Raymond Allen played the jovial Uncle Woody. His trademark high-pitched laugh and his friendly demeanor made him a welcome sight on the show, a lighthearted counterpoint to Fred’s famous grumpiness. Allen’s career was long and varied, but his role as Uncle Woody remains one of his most beloved. He passed away at the age of 91 in 2020.
What About Lamont?
For many fans, the question of “who passed away on Sanford and Son” often leads to a false assumption about the fate of the show’s other lead. It is important to note that Demond Wilson, who played Lamont Sanford, is very much alive. After his time on the show, he left the acting world and became a Christian minister, a path that has provided him with a new sense of purpose and a spiritual direction. His life’s journey adds a beautiful and hopeful note to the story of the show’s cast, proving that even after the cameras stop rolling, life’s journey continues.
Conclusion
The passing of these beloved actors marks a sad moment for the world of television. Each one of them, from the legendary Redd Foxx to the quiet charm of Don Bexley, brought a unique and unforgettable presence to Sanford and Son. Their on-screen chemistry, their brilliant comedic timing, and the laughter they brought to the world will continue to live on in syndication, a timeless reminder of a golden era of television. While they may be gone, their legacy remains in the hearts of millions of fans, ensuring that the laughter, the love, and the magic of the Sanford family will never truly fade away.
