Redd Foxx was much more than the unforgettable Fred Sanford from Sanford and Son. Behind that legendary character was a man whose life was filled with struggle, ambition, laughter, success, and unforgettable moments. His real name was John Elroy Sanford, but the world would come to know him as Redd Foxx. He was born on December 9, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri.See more…
Foxx grew up primarily in Chicago in difficult circumstances. His father, Fred Sanford, was an electrician and mechanic, while his mother, Mary, worked as a domestic servant and was active in the church. His father left the family when John was still young, making his childhood far from easy.
From an early age, Foxx showed an interest in entertainment and performance. As a teenager, he left home and began performing with friends. In 1939, he and his friends traveled to New York, where they tried to make a living performing wherever they could.
During his early years, he was known by the nickname “Chicago Red,” partly because of his distinctive appearance. In Harlem, he became friends with another young man known as “Detroit Red,” who would later become famous as Malcolm X.
Their friendship became one of the most fascinating chapters of Foxx’s early life. The two had worked as dishwashers in Harlem and spent time together before either man became nationally famous.
After World War II, Foxx began seriously developing his career as a comedian. He performed in nightclubs and on the African-American theater circuit, developing the bold and highly recognizable style that would eventually make him famous across the country.
During the 1950s, Foxx began recording what were known as “party records,” comedy albums featuring material that was considered extremely daring for the time. He eventually recorded more than 50 comedy albums throughout his career.
For many years, his fame was strongest in nightclubs and within the African-American entertainment community. During the 1960s, however, he began appearing on major television programs and talk shows, helping introduce his unique style of comedy to a much wider audience.
Foxx also began taking roles in movies and television. His film career included appearances in movies such as All the Fine Young Cannibals, Cotton Comes to Harlem, and Norman… Is That You?
Then came the role that changed his life forever. In 1972, NBC premiered Sanford and Son, and Foxx became Fred G. Sanford, the loud, stubborn and hilarious owner of a Los Angeles junkyard.
His character became instantly memorable. Fred Sanford was constantly arguing with his son Lamont, played by Demond Wilson, while trying to keep their junkyard business alive.
One of Fred’s most famous routines involved grabbing his chest and pretending he was having a heart attack whenever something upset him. He would dramatically call out for his late wife, Elizabeth, creating one of the most recognizable comedic moments in television history.
Sanford and Son became one of the biggest television comedies of the 1970s. The series ran for six seasons and turned Redd Foxx into a household name across America.
Foxx’s performance also earned major recognition. He won a Golden Globe for his role as Fred Sanford and received multiple Emmy nominations for his work on the series.
Foxx was more than just the star of Sanford and Son. He also helped bring other performers into the spotlight. Among them was LaWanda Page, who played the unforgettable Aunt Esther and became one of the show’s most beloved characters.
After six seasons, Foxx left Sanford and Son in 1977 to pursue other projects. He later returned to television as Fred Sanford in the follow-up series Sanford, and he continued working in entertainment throughout the following years.
His life away from television was not always easy. Foxx experienced several marriages as well as serious financial and tax problems. Despite those difficulties, he continued performing and remained determined to work in entertainment.
In 1989, he appeared in Harlem Nights alongside Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor. The movie introduced his comedy and personality to another generation of viewers and showed that Foxx could still command attention decades after beginning his career.
In 1991, Foxx was working on another television project, The Royal Family, alongside Della Reese. Tragically, on October 11, 1991, he suffered a heart attack during a rehearsal at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. He was taken to the hospital but died that same evening at the age of 68.
Decades after his death, Redd Foxx remains closely associated with one of the most recognizable characters in American television history. From performing on the streets and in nightclubs to recording comedy albums, appearing in movies and becoming Fred Sanford, his career spanned more than five decades.
Redd Foxx was not simply the man who played Fred Sanford. He was a groundbreaking comedian whose work helped open doors for generations of African-American performers. His voice, his timing, his expressions and his unforgettable portrayal of Fred Sanford continue to make audiences laugh even decades later.
Redd Foxx — 1922–1991. A legendary comedian whose name and laughter will never be forgotten. ❤️🎭
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