Demond Wilson, the actor widely recognized for his role as Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom "Sanford and Son," died on Friday at the age of 79. His death occurred at his residence in the Palm Springs area of Southern California and was attributed to complications related to cancer.
Demond Wilson, the actor widely recognized for his role as Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom "Sanford and Son," died on Friday at the age of 79.
Death Announcement
Demond Wilson's passing on Friday morning was confirmed by his son, Demond Wilson Jr., and by his publicist, Mark Goldman. He was 79 years old. The cause of death was stated as complications from cancer.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Valdosta, Georgia, in 1946, Wilson spent his childhood in Harlem, New York City. He studied dance and performed on Broadway before serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, where he was wounded. Following his military service, he continued performing on stage in New York and made a guest appearance on "All in the Family" in 1971 before relocating to Los Angeles. His early film credits include "Cotton Comes to Harlem" (1970) and "The Organization" (1971).
Role in "Sanford and Son"
Wilson gained widespread recognition for his role as Lamont Sanford, the son of Fred Sanford (played by Redd Foxx), in the NBC comedy series "Sanford and Son." He took on the role in his 20s. The show, which premiered in 1972 and ran for six seasons until 1977, was produced by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin and was based on the British TV comedy series "Steptoe and Son."
"Sanford and Son" was notable for its depiction of Black family life on network television and was among the first series to feature a predominantly Black cast.
Wilson secured the role after advocating for a "straight man" dynamic to complement Redd Foxx's character. His experiences on the series were documented in his 2009 memoir, Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memoirs of the Sanford and Son Years.
Post-"Sanford and Son" Career
Following his time on "Sanford and Son," Wilson continued his acting career. His television roles included starring in the sitcom "Baby… I'm Back!" in the late 1970s and "The New Odd Couple" in the early 1980s. In the 2000s, he appeared in four episodes of "Girlfriends." His filmography also includes "Full Moon High" (1981), "Me and the Kid" (1993), and "Hammerlock" (2000). After a nearly two-decade hiatus from acting, he returned to the screen in the 2023 drama "Eleanor's Bench."
Personal Life and Ministry
Wilson maintained a Christian faith throughout his life, having dedicated his life to God after a significant health event at age 12. In the 1980s, he was ordained as a Pentecostal minister and pursued parallel careers in acting and preaching. He authored the 1998 book, The New Age Millennium: An Expose of Symbols, Slogans and Hidden Agenda.
Survivors
Demond Wilson is survived by his wife, Cicely Wilson, their six children, and two grandchildren.