Foxx as Fred on Sanford and Son

John Elroy Sanford, better known as Redd Foxx (December 9, 1922 - October 11, 1991) was an American comedian best known for his starring role on the television sitcom Sanford and Son.

Foxx was born in St. Louis, Missouri. During World War II, Foxx used illegal means to avoid the draft. He then engaged in various criminal activities. He was a well known associate of Malcolm Little, later known as Malcolm X. Foxx gained notoriety with his vulgar nightclub act. His stand-up performances were released as "party" albums and became very popular. Foxx paved the way for later African-American comedians such as Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. He was also the first black comic to play to white audiences on the Las Vegas Strip. Foxx used his starring role on Sanford and Son to help get jobs for his friends such as Slappy White and Noriyuki "Pat" Morita. Foxx also battled with producers for higher paychecks and creative control of the show.

In 1977, Foxx voluntarily left Sanford and Son and struck out on his own. Although he had a short lived variety show in 1977, he was back playing Fred Sanford in the early 1980's in a short lived series spin-off. Foxx had numerous battles with the IRS that culminated in a 1989 "raid" in which agents seized his house and assets. Foxx appeared to be making a comeback with the 1991 series "The Royal Family" in which he co-starred with his long time friend Della Reese when a fatal heart attack felled him on the set. Ironically, one of Foxx's best-known comic bits on Sanford and Son was faking a heart attack and calling out to his deceased wife Elizabeth saying "this is the big one...I'm comin' to join ya honey".

Quotes

• Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

External links

• TV Party: The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour
• The Ironic Death of Redd Foxx
• Find A Death - Redd Foxx