Demond Wilson, Beloved “Sanford and Son” Actor, Dies at 79

Wilson, who played Lamont Sanford opposite Redd Foxx, leaves behind a legacy of television history and resilience.

Demond Wilson, the actor best known for his role as Lamont Sanford in the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 79. His publicist, Mark Goldman, confirmed the news to CBS News on Saturday, saying the family is “deeply saddened” and requesting privacy as they grieve.

Wilson’s son, Demond Wilson Jr., told TMZ that his father passed away Friday at his home in Palm Springs, California, from complications related to cancer.

Goldman, who worked with Wilson for 15 years, described the loss as “profoundly felt.”

“He was an unbelievable man and his impact will never be forgotten,” Goldman said. “The family appreciates the support and understanding of the community during this difficult time.

Born in Georgia and raised in New York City, Wilson’s early life was steeped in performance. He studied tap dancing and ballet, made his Broadway debut at age four in a revival of The Green Pastures alongside William Marshall and Ossie Davis, and danced at Harlem’s Apollo Theater by age 12.

Wilson served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968, stationed in Vietnam, before returning to New York to pursue acting. After stage work, he moved to Los Angeles, where his career took off.

In 1971, Wilson appeared in All in the Family as a burglar in a memorable episode with Cleavon Little. That role led directly to his casting as Lamont Sanford, the long-suffering son of Redd Foxx’s Fred Sanford, in Sanford and Son. The NBC sitcom ran for six seasons, five of them ranking among the top ten shows on television.

When Foxx left the series after a salary dispute, Wilson declined an offer to continue the show solo. He later starred in CBS’s Baby … I’m Back, though it lasted only 13 episodes, and in The New Odd Couple opposite Ron Glass, which ran for 18 episodes.

Wilson’s life was marked by reinvention. In the 1980s, he overcame a cocaine addiction and became an ordained interdenominational minister. He later authored Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memories of the Sanford & Son Years in 2009, reflecting on his career and personal journey.

Wilson is survived by his wife and their six children. His passing marks the end of a chapter in television history, but his work — particularly as Lamont Sanford — remains a cornerstone of American sitcom culture.