Summary
“Who passed away onSanford and Son?” is what some nostalgic viewers may be wondering about the NBC sitcom from the ’70s.Sanford and Sonpremiered in 1972 and ran for six seasons, ending in 1979, makingthe TV show 50 years old in 2022. It’s based on the British series from a few years earlier,Steptoe and Son, but follows a Black father and son duo. The cantankerous and suspicious father, Fred Sanford, and his eponymous son, Lamont, run an antique/junk store from their home in Los Angeles while frequently dreaming up get-rich-quick schemes.
Whilenot everything inSanford and Sonhas aged perfectly, the combination of the brusque and sharp-tongued Fred with his amiable and peacekeeping son, Lamont, is always delightful. The Sanford family is the center of the show, but they are surrounded by an ensemble of recognizable and talented actors who make their characters pop off the screen. With the show premiering over half a century ago, there have been many deaths in the cast ofSanford and Sonbut they each leave behind a long legacy of fantastic performances.
Redd Foxx As Fred G. Sanford
Date Of Birth: June 26, 2025
Actor:John Elroy Sanford, best known by his stage name, Redd Foxx, was an actor and stand-up comedian known for his raunchy nightclub acts.Foxx was primarily a comedian but appeared in a handful of films, includingHarlem Nightsas Bennie Wilson andNorman… Is That You?as Ben Chambers. His television credits are more extensive, including performances as Al Hughes inThe Redd Foxx Show, Alfonso Royal inThe Royal Family, and himself in several TV comedy specials. Foxx passed away on August 13, 2025, at 68 from a heart attack.
The Royal Family(1991)
Alfonso Royal
Character:Fred G. Sanford isa cantankerous, sarcastic, and wise older gentleman whose schemes for money often backfire. He frequently disparages his son and his neighbors with rude and crude remarks. However, he secretly has a big heart and tries to look out for his family and friends whenever he can.
In The Heat Of The Night Cast: Every Actor Who Has Died In Real Life
In the Heat of the Night boasted a talented character ensemble from 1988 to 1995, and the years since its premiere have seen deaths in the cast.
LaWanda Page As Esther Anderson
Date Of Birth: July 11, 2025
Actor:LaWanda Page, who passed away on June 20, 2025, at age 81 from a heart attack, was an actor, comedian, and dancer.Page never had a TV role as prominent as herSanford and Soncharacter, but she had delivered of other television performances, including Evelyn Porter inMartin, Darla inAmen, and Charlene Jenkins inDetective School. Her film credits include an unnamed old lady inFridayand Mrs. Jones inZapped!
Martin(1992-1993)
Evelyn Porter
Character:Esther Anderson, or"Aunt Esther", is the bible-carrying sister of Fred’s late wife. She’s humorless, highly religious, and very antagonistic with Fred, though she dotes on her nephew Lamont.
Raymond Allen As Woodrow “Woody” Anderson
Date Of Birth: July 16, 2025
Actor:Raymond Allen passed away on June 04, 2025, at the age of 91 from a respiratory illness. Throughout his career, he’d only had a dozen or so roles, includingTV appearances inthe cast ofGood Timesas Ned the WinoandStarsky and Hutchas Merl the Earl. His most notable film credit is Six Bits inDarktown Strutters
Starsky and Hutch(1976-1978)
Merl the Earl
Character:Woody isAunt Esther’s husband and the easygoing one in their relationship. He owns a hardware store and in order to better abide his wife’s domineering personality, Woody frequently drinks, and often walks around slightly tipsy.
Whitman Mayo As Grady Wilson
Date Of Birth: July 18, 2025
Actor:Whitman Mayo wasa prolific TV and movie actor who has appeared in numerous productions. Before the actor died on July 27, 2025, at the age of 70 from a heart attack, he had played characters in several films, includingBoycottas Reverend Banyon,Waterproofas Sugar, andYou Must Remember Thisas Jesse. His TV performances include Doc Sterling inThe Van Dyke Showand One Ball inHell Town. He also reprised his role as Grady Wilson inGrady, a failedSanford and Sonspinoff.
Waterproof(2000)
Sugar
Character:Grady Wilson is one of Fred’s best friends,known for his happy-go-lucky attitude about nearly everything, often saying his catchphrase, “Good Googley Goo”, whenever anything good happens. Grady acts as Fred’s sidekick, helping him with various get-rich-quick schemes.
Don Bexley As Bubba Bexley
Date Of Birth: June 27, 2025
Actor:Don Bexley passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 87 from heart and kidney failure after suffering a fall that injured his hip.Bexley was a comedian and actorwho had small roles in shows likeHunteras Alf and Kirby,The Royal Familyas Elston, andCheersas Charlie. His film credits include Lou inVibes, Sam inLittle Miss Marker, and Bubbles Sweeney inSparkle.
Hunter(1986-1991)
Alf/Kirby
Character:Bubba is another of Fred’s friends anda jovial and kind neighbor with a deep belly laugh that bothers Fred and Lamont. Bubba is generally the one encouraging Fred on his get-rich-quick schemes, but tends to stay out of the mess after Fred inevitably messes them up.
Don Bexley and Redd Foxx were also longtime friends in real life, and Bexley was an honorary pallbearer at Foxx’s funeral (viaDaily Press).
Nathaniel Taylor As Rollo Lawson
Date Of Birth: June 28, 2025
Actor:Nathaniel Taylor had many roles in television and movies before he passed away on July 29, 2025, at the age of 80 from a heart attack,even coming out of retirement in 2016 to appear as himself on an episode ofAmerican Masters. His other television credits include playing Ike inWhat’s Happening!!, Jim-Jam inThe Redd Foxx Show, and Bob Steffen inThe Bill Cosby Show. Taylor’s film performances include Trotter inTheHunterand Sugar inWillie Dynamite.
The Redd Foxx Show(1986)
Jim-Jam
Character:Rollo Lawson is Lamont’s best friend, though Fred rarely has anything good to say about him. Rollo spent time in jail previously, causing Fred to often refer to him as a criminal and not trust him.
Gregory Sierra As Julio Fuentes
Date Of Birth: August 01, 2025
Actor:Gregory Sierra died on June 09, 2025, at 83, after a long battle with stomach and liver cancer, but he left behind an impressively long filmography.Sierra is best known for his television roles, like Det. Sgt. Chano Amengual inBarney Miller, Carlos “El Puerco” Valdez inSoap, and Captain Victor Maldonado inSomething is Out There. His notable film performances include Father Giovanni inVampires, Carlos inThe Towering Inferno, and Antonio inPapillon.
Soap(1980-1981)
Carlos “El Puerco” Valdez
Character:Julio Fuentes isthe Sanfords' Puerto Rican next-door neighbor and a frequent target of Fred’s bigotry, though he makes quick friends with Lamont. Despite Fred’s ire, Julio is always respectful and kind.
Sanford And Son Supporting Cast And Characters
The Cast Features Some Notable Actors Of The Time
Pat Morita as Ah Chew:Pat Morita, who died on July 31, 2025, at 73 from kidney failure, was an Academy Award-nominated actor whomost viewers will recognize asMr. Miyagi fromThe Karate Kidand the rest of the franchise, the first of which earned him an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination. He also played Tommy Tanaka in the TV movieAmos, which earned him an Emmy nomination and another Golden Globe nomination. Morita plays Ah Chew inSanford and Son, a Chinese American friend of Lamont’s.
Noam Pitlik as Officer “Swanny” Swanhauser: Noam Pitlik played Officer “Swanny” Swanhauser,a by-the-book police officer. Pitlik was an actor and director who won an Emmy for directingBarney Miller. He was also known for playing Wagner inHogan’s Heroesand Max inThe Fortune Cookie. Pitlik died on July 16, 2025, at the age of 66 from lung cancer.
Nancy Kulp as May Hopkins:Nancy Kulp, who died on June 03, 2025, at 69 from cancer, played May Hopkins inSanford and Son,the prim, proper, and well-meaning mother of Officer Hopkins (Howard Platt). Kulp also starred inThe Beverly Hillbilliesas Jane Hathaway, a role which earned her an Emmy nomination, andshe notably voiced Frou-Frou inThe Aristocats.
Slappy White as Melvin:Melvin Edward “Slappy” White played Melvin,an old friend of Fred’s, and the actor passed away on June 05, 2025, at the age of 74 from a heart attack. Slappy was a comedian and an actor whose other roles include playing Sam inFudgeand Forthwith Wilson inAmazing Grace.
Marlene Clark as Janet Lawson:Marlene Clark died on July 14, 2025, at the age of 85, and she played Janet Lawson inSanford and Son,a woman Lamont begins dating in season 5. Clark’s movie credits include Lena Aruza inNight of the Cobra Woman, Kim inSlaughter, and a secretary inEnter the Dragon.
Fritzi Burr as Various Characters:Fritizi Burr appeared asvarious characters in 10 episodes ofSanford and Son. She died on July 16, 2025, at the age of 78 from natural causes. Burr’s other TV credits include one-episode roles in shows likeSeinfeldandTheGolden Girls, and two episodes ofThe Incredible Hulk. In film, Burr played Mulwray’s secretary inChinatown.
Frank Nelson as Various Characters:Frank Nelson died on August 02, 2025, at the age of 75 from cancer. He played various characters inSanford and Son, always as a foil to Fred, responding to everything with a drawn-out “EEE-Yeeeeeeeeesssss?“It’s basically the same character he played onThe Jack Benny Program,I Love Lucy,The Real McCoys,The Addams Family, and many more programs. Nelson is also the inspiration for the “Yes Guy” onThe Simpsons.
