# Sanford and Son (1972) Cast Reveals What Most Fans Never Figured Out
Behind the laughter of *Sanford and Son*, a groundbreaking sitcom from 1972, lie secrets that challenge the lighthearted image fans cherished.
For years, viewers adored Fred Sanford, Lamont, Aunt Esther, and Grady, unaware of the painful truths and hidden struggles that shaped the cast’s lives and the show itself. Recently uncovered stories reveal the depth behind the comedy, from personal tragedies to cultural battles, painting a complex picture of this iconic series.
Redd Foxx, who played the irascible Fred Sanford, was a comedy legend long before the show, known for his risqué “blue” stand-up routines. Starting in Harlem clubs in the 1940s, Foxx honed a raw style that contrasted sharply with the family-friendly *Sanford and Son*.
Despite earning $35,000 per episode and the show ranking in the top 10 for most of its five-year run, Foxx fought for more, demanding a salary surpassing Carroll O’Connor of *All in the Family*.
His 1974 walkout over pay, citing health issues, led to a $10 million lawsuit from producers, though a new deal eventually granted him a higher salary and 25% of net profits. Tragically, Foxx’s life ended in 1991 on the set of *The Royal Family*, when a real heart attack—mistaken by co-stars as his famous fake one—proved fatal, echoing his character’s most iconic gag.
Demond Wilson, who portrayed Lamont, Fred’s patient son, carried a past far removed from the junkyard. A Vietnam War veteran wounded in combat, Wilson also performed on Broadway at age four.
His personal hurt surfaced when Foxx left the show in 1977 without informing him directly—Wilson learned of it from a hallway newscaster at NBC. More shockingly, Wilson revealed both he and Foxx carried guns on set for safety, a stark contrast to the show’s humor. Later, Wilson became a Pentecostal minister, founding Restoration House to aid former prisoners, reflecting a profound personal shift.
LaWanda Page, known as the strict Aunt Esther, hid a wild history as the “Bronze Goddess of Fire,” a daring fire-eater who risked burns for a living. Before TV, her blue comedy as the “Queen of Comedy” was adult-oriented, far from Esther’s pious image.
A childhood friend of Foxx from St. Louis, Page nearly lost her role early on, but Foxx threatened to quit if she was fired, securing her iconic place. Her health, however, suffered under Hollywood’s demands, contributing to her 2002 death from diabetes complications at 81.
Supporting cast members like Whitman Mayo (Grady), Don Bexley (Bubba), and Nathaniel Taylor (Rollo) also had surprising stories. Mayo, only in his 40s, played the elderly Grady based on his grandfather, while Bexley, a longtime friend of Foxx, joined at 62.
Taylor faced legal troubles post-show but later opened a performing arts studio. These revelations—from financial ruin to personal reinventions—show that *Sanford and Son* was more than comedy; it was a stage for real human struggles and triumphs.