Grady Demond Wilson, the last surviving main cast member from the classic TV sitcom Sanford and Son has died.
Wilson, who played Lamont Sanford on the beloved ‘70s sitcom, died at his Palm Springs, California, home on Jan. 30 following complications related to cancer, his son Demond confirmed to TMZ. Wilson’s son described him as a “great man.”
Wilson is survived by his wife, Cicely Johnston, and their six children.
Wilson starred opposite Redd Foxx on Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1977, appearing in 135 episodes of the NBC comedy series about a father-son junk and antique business. In 1982, he went on to play Oscar Madison in the short-lived sitcom The New Odd Couple and later appeared in the 1993 movie Me and The Kid.
The Sanford and Son star became an ordained minister later in life and took a nearly two-decade break from acting. He surprised fans with a final role in 2023 in the drama Eleanor’s Bench.
Wilson looked back fondly on his Sanford and Son role. In his 2009 memoir Second Banana, he wrote of the groundbreaking sitcom, “Redd and I were making history back in those days. We were the first Blacks to be on television in that capacity and we opened the door for all those other shows that came after us.”
He also discussed his relationship with Foxx in an interview with Black America Web. “The relationship that Redd and I had was no different than a marriage.
Sometimes the bitter outweighs the sweet,” Wilson recalled in 2015. “We were forerunners. …We were the #1 show on NBC and they had a lot of powerhouses. Laugh In, Johnny Carson, but Redd and I went to the top and we were the #1 show for the better part of five years. Redd said it was the National Black Company.”
Foxx died in 1991 at age 68 after suffering a heart attack on the set of his subsequent CBS sitcom, The Royal Family.
In addition to Foxx and Wilson, Sanford and Son featured a long list of supporting cast members. Almost all of them have passed away. One of the show’s longest living stars, Lynn Hamilton, who played patriarch Fred Sanford’s girlfriend, Donna Harris, died of natural causes in 2025 at age 95, per The New York Post.
Supporting actors Hal Williams and Howard Platt, who played officers “Smitty” Smith and “Hoppy” Hopkins on the series, are still living.
Growing up watching ‘Sanford and Son,’ I always admired the chemistry between Demond Wilson and Redd Foxx. Their portrayal of a father-son duo running a junk and antique business on NBC was not only hilarious but also historic as they were pioneers in bringing African American stories to mainstream television. What many may not realize is just how influential 'Sanford and Son' was during its peak — ranked as NBC’s highest-rated series and among the most-watched shows overall in its second season. Wilson’s role as Lamont Sanford was a breakthrough for Black actors on TV, given the rarity of such prominent roles at the time. Beyond the laughs, the show opened doors for future Black-led sitcoms and helped diversify American television during the 1970s. Demond Wilson himself reflected on this in his memoir, noting the importance of the show’s cultural impact and his partnership with Foxx. The dynamic between their characters could be intense, sometimes as complicated as a marriage, but that complexity made the series authentic and relatable. After ‘Sanford and Son,’ Wilson chose to step away from acting for many years to become an ordained minister, which was a surprising yet inspiring turn in his personal journey. Despite this long hiatus, his return to acting in recent years, including the 2023 drama ‘Eleanor’s Bench,’ showed his enduring passion for storytelling. His passing marks the end of an era, especially as he was the last surviving main cast member of the beloved series. It’s moving to see the lasting affection fans and peers have expressed, showing how impactful his contributions were both on and off screen. Reflecting on his legacy, it’s clear that Demond Wilson's work extended beyond entertainment; he was part of a significant cultural shift that helped reshape American television and representation. For fans and newcomers alike, ‘Sanford and Son’ remains a classic, reminding us of the power of humor, family dynamics, and breaking barriers in the industry.
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