Demond Wilson, the beloved actor best known for playing Lamont Sanford opposite Redd Foxx in the groundbreaking NBC sitcom Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 79. His son Demond Wilson Jr. confirmed that the actor was pronounced dead Friday morning at his home in Palm Springs, California, following complications related to prostate cancer.
Born Grady Demond Wilson on October 13, 1946, in Valdosta, Georgia, Wilson served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968 during the Vietnam War. Upon returning from military service, he began his acting career in off-Broadway productions before breaking into television. His big break came when he appeared in an episode of All in the Family as a burglar who held the Bunker family hostage, a performance that caught the attention of producers.
Sanford and Son premiered in 1972 and quickly became one of the most successful sitcoms in television history. The show, based on the British series Steptoe and Son, featured Wilson as the long-suffering son of junk dealer Fred Sanford, played by the legendary comedian Redd Foxx. The series ran for six seasons until 1977, consistently ranking among Nielsen's top 10 shows for its first five years and landing in the top five three times during its run.
Following the success of Sanford and Son, Wilson went on to star in the sitcom Baby... I'm Back! and later landed a leading role in The New Odd Couple in the early 1980s. After his television career wound down, Wilson stepped away from acting for nearly two decades, focusing on his personal life and family. He made a brief return to the screen in 2023 with an appearance in the drama Eleanor's Bench.
Wilson's portrayal of Lamont Sanford broke barriers in American television, presenting a complex and relatable Black character during a transformative era for representation in media. The show tackled social issues with humor while showcasing the loving but contentious relationship between father and son, resonating with audiences across racial and generational lines.
The actor is survived by his wife Johnston and their six children: Christopher, Nicole, Melissa, Sarah, Tabatha, and Demond Jr. His son Christopher confirmed that his father had been battling prostate cancer. Tributes have been pouring in from fans and fellow entertainers who remember Wilson for his comedic timing, warmth, and the indelible mark he left on American television history.
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