Actor Demond Wilson, best known for his role as Lamont Sanford on the classic NBC sitcom ‘Sanford & Son’, has died at the age of 79.
Wilson died Friday at his home in Coachella Valley, California, of complications from cancer. His son Demond Wilson Jr. confirmed the news to multiple media outlets that his father had been suffering from prostate cancer. “I loved him. He was a great man,” he said.
Born on October 13, 1946, in Valdosta, Georgia, Grady Demond Wilson grew up in Harlem and entered the acting world at a young age. He performed on Broadway as a child artist, danced at the Apollo Theater and later studied acting before joining the U.S. Army. Wilson was injured while serving in Vietnam and returned to acting after completing his tour in 1968.
His big break came in 1971 with a guest appearance on All in the Family, which landed him the role of Lamont Sanford, the long-suffering but loyal son of junk dealer Fred Sanford, played by Red Fox. Based on the British series Steptoe and Son, Sanford and Son premiered in 1972 and quickly became one of the highest-rated television comedies of the decade.
The show ran for six seasons and was praised for its sharp humor, the chemistry between Fox and Wilson, and its cultural impact. Wilson remained involved with the series despite the cast changes and helped keep the show going during Fox’s temporary absence due to a contract dispute.
After the end of Sanford & Son, Wilson continued to work in television, appearing in sitcoms such as Baby… I’m Back and The New Odd Couple. In later years, he moved away from Hollywood, overcame drug addiction, and became a pastor, often speaking openly about his faith and personal transformation. Wilson later reflected on his career in his 2009 memoir Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memories of the Sanford & Son Years. He also had recurring roles on shows including Girlfriends. Wilson is survived by his wife, Cicely Johnston, whom he married in 1974, and their six children. He left a lasting legacy as one of television’s most recognizable and influential sitcom stars, and will be remembered for bringing sincerity, humor, and depth to a groundbreaking era in American television.