Demond Wilson has died. A trained dancer, an author, and a Broadway regular, Wilson was best known in the popular memory for the six seasons he starred on ’70s sitcom phenomenon Sanford And Son, playing the titular son, Lamont Sanford, opposite comedian Redd Foxx. Later devoting his life largely to religious work—peppered in with some stage work or the occasional TV appearance—Wilson died this week (per TMZ) from complications from cancer. He was 79.
Raised in New York in the 1940s, Wilson took to the stage early, performing as a ballet and tap dancer, and scoring early Broadway roles. After a stint in Vietnam, and then the New York theater scene, he moved out to the West Coast, where he eventually caught the attention of writer and producer Norman Lear, who cast him in a prominent role in a second-season episode of his hit sitcom All In The Family. Wilson impressed producers sufficiently—paired up with Blazing Saddles star Cleavon Little as a pair of robbers who invade the Bunker family home—that when Lear and company were looking for a second lead for Sanford And Son, his name was at the top of the list.
Lamont was a star-making role for Wilson, who, despite often playing the straight man to Foxx’s more exaggerated antics, frequently got opportunities to show off his own comedic gifts. Among other things, the show was a massive hit for NBC, becoming one of the first Black actor-led sitcoms to make a major impression on American audiences. Later seasons of the series were troubled by production difficulties—including a period where Foxx walked off the series in a salary dispute, leaving Wilson to carry the show for several episodes with Whitman Mayo—but remained a ratings success up through 1977, when Foxx left the series to pursue a short-lived variety show. (Wilson later told reporters that he was unhappy that Foxx hadn’t discussed the departure with him before making it public; although he said he forgave his long-time co-star, he reportedly declined to participate when Foxx tried to revive the series as Sanford a few years later.)
Wilson’s later efforts to pursue sitcom success—1977’s Baby… I’m Back, and 1981’s The New Odd Couple—were less successful, with the former show canceled after a single season, despite decent ratings. As the 1980s progressed, he spent more time in religious pursuits, becoming ordained as a minister in 1984. He later wrote several books with faith-based themes (including an “exposé” targeting “the New Age movement, one world government, humanism, religion, the Illuminati and Free Masonry”) as well as a memoir about his time on Sanford And Son, Second Banana. His final on-screen role was a multi-episode stint on Eleanor’s Bench, a 2023 series on Christian streaming service Great American Pure Flix.
Per Variety, Wilson’s publicist issued a statement on his family’s behalf on Saturday: “The family of Demond Wilson is deeply saddened by his passing. At this time, they ask for privacy as they grieve. No further details are available, and the family has no additional information to share. Personally, I had the privilege of working with Demond for 15 years, and his loss is profoundly felt. He was an unbelievable man, and his impact will never be forgotten. The family appreciates the support and understanding of the community during this difficult time.”
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