Demond Wilson, ‘Sanford and Son’ Actor, Dead at 79

Demond Wilson, who portrayed Lamont Sanford on the hit Seventies sitcom Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 79.

The actor’s son Demond Wilson Jr. confirmed his father’s death Friday to TMZ, adding Wilson died from complications of cancer at his home in Palm Springs, California.

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The Georgia-born, New York City-raised Wilson first performed on Broadway in his pre-teen years and, following a tour of duty in the Vietnam War, moved to Hollywood. Wilson made his big screen credited debut in the Sidney Poitier-starring The Organization in 1971, and on the small screen, on Mission: Impossible and All in the Family.

It was the latter role, where Wilson played a robber in the episode, that brought him to the attention of producer Bud Yorkin, who was developing an American remake of the British sitcom Steptoe and Son. Wilson was cast alongside comedian Redd Foxx in the series, retitled Sanford and Son and revolving around a father-and-son tandem at a Watts, Los Angeles salvage yard.

From 1972 to 1977, Sanford and Son was a ratings smash for NBC, and the show ran for six seasons, until Foxx’s contract disputes and ultimately his exit to start his own variety show ended the series.

Following the series’ conclusion, Wilson starred in the short-lived series Baby… I’m Back!, made multiple guest appearances on The Love Boat, and played Oscar Madison in 1982’s The New Odd Couple. Following that series, Wilson dedicated his life to ministry, making one more small-screen appearance for a four-episode arc on UPN’s Girlfriends in 2005.

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