Redd Foxx

Redd Foxx. Born John Elroy Sanford, he was a pioneering American comedian and actor whose career spanned over five decades. He is best known for his starring role as the cantankerous junk dealer Fred G. Sanford on the groundbreaking NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. Foxx's earlier work in "party records" and nightclubs established him as a major influence on generations of comedians with his sharp, adult-oriented humor.

Early life and career

John Elroy Sanford was born in St. Louis, Missouri and later moved to Chicago, where he began performing in his teens. He formed a musical comedy trio with friends, including future music legend Dennis Day, and later partnered with comedian Slappy White for a successful nightclub act. To distinguish himself, he adopted the stage name Redd Foxx, a playful inversion of the baseball star Jimmie Foxx. Struggling to find mainstream success due to his risqué material, he relocated to Los Angeles and then New York City, where he became a staple in Harlem venues like the famed Apollo Theater.

Breakthrough and "Sanford and Son"

Foxx's big break came when producers Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, impressed by his comedy albums, cast him in the American adaptation of the British series Steptoe and Son. Premiering on NBC in 1972, Sanford and Son became an instant cultural phenomenon, consistently ranking among the top-rated shows on American television. His portrayal of the scheming, heart-clutching widower Fred G. Sanford opposite Demond Wilson as his son Lamont made him a household name. The show's success on NBC made Foxx one of the first African American stars to headline a television series and provided a platform for numerous guest stars, including Slappy White, LaWanda Page, and Gregory Sierra.

Stand-up comedy and recordings

Long before his television fame, Foxx was a legend on the "Chitlin' Circuit" and in nightclubs across the country, known for his frank, blue material. He recorded over 50 comedy albums for labels like Dootone Records and Laff Records, which were hugely popular in African American communities and sold millions of copies. These "party records," such as Laff of the Party and Foxx-A-Delic, featured routines that directly influenced comedians like Richard Pryor, George Carlin, and Eddie Murphy. His stand-up style was conversational and observational, often tackling themes of domestic life, poverty, and social hypocrisy with a sharp, irreverent edge.

Personal life and legal issues

Foxx's personal life was marked by financial turmoil and complex relationships. He was married four times, to Evelyn Killebrew, Betty Jean Harris, Yun Chi Chung, and finally Ka Ho Cho. Despite earning millions from Sanford and Son, he faced severe financial difficulties due to lavish spending, back taxes owed to the Internal Revenue Service, and legal battles. In 1983, he filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. His career was also affected by a contentious departure from Sanford and Son and a later, less successful series, The Redd Foxx Show, on ABC.

Death and legacy

On October 11, 1991, Foxx suffered a massive heart attack on the set of his new sitcom, The Royal Family, at CBS Television City in Los Angeles. Co-star Della Reese and others initially thought he was employing his famous "I'm coming to join you, Elizabeth" fake heart attack bit from Sanford and Son, causing a critical delay in medical attention. He was pronounced dead at Queen of Angels Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center. Foxx's legacy as a trailblazer is profound; he paved the way for African American comedians on television and in stand-up. His work is cited as a key influence by icons like Richard Pryor and Chris Rock, and he was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1992. Category:American comedians Category:American male television actors Category:1991 deaths