Redd Foxx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Redd Foxx |
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Redd Foxx c.1966 age 43
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| Birth name | John Elroy Sanford |
| Born | December 9, 1922 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 1991 (aged 68) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Palm Eastern Cemetery, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Medium | |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | DuSable High School |
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| Spouse |
Evelyn Killebrew
(m. 1948; div. 1951)Betty Jean Harris
(m. 1956; div. 1975)Joi Yun Chi Chung
(m. 1976; div. 1981)Kaho Cho
(m. 1991) |
John Elroy Sanford (born December 9, 1922 – died October 11, 1991) was an American comedian and actor. He was much better known by his stage name, Redd Foxx.
Foxx became famous for his stand-up comedy shows, especially during the Civil Rights Movement. He was even called the "King of the Party Records" because he released over 50 comedy albums. Later, he became a huge TV star. He played Fred G. Sanford in the popular show Sanford and Son. He also starred in The Redd Foxx Show and The Royal Family.
In 2004, a TV channel called Comedy Central ranked Foxx as one of the top 25 greatest stand-up comedians of all time. Many other comedians were inspired by him. People often copied his funny sayings, body language, and facial expressions from Sanford and Son. During the five years Sanford and Son was on TV, Foxx won a Golden Globe Award. He also received three other nominations for the Golden Globe and three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. After he passed away, Foxx received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1992.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
John Elroy Sanford was born on December 9, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up in Chicago's South Side. His father, Fred Sanford, left the family when Foxx was four years old. His mother, Mary Hughes, and his grandmother raised him. His minister also helped.
Foxx went to DuSable High School in Chicago. A future mayor of Chicago, Harold Washington, was also a student there. Foxx had an older brother, Fred Jr. This brother's name later inspired the name of Foxx's famous TV character. In 1939, Foxx performed on a radio show called Major Bowes Amateur Hour. He was part of a group called the Jump Swinging Six.
In the 1940s, Foxx became friends with Malcolm Little, who later became Malcolm X. They both worked as dishwashers in Harlem. Both men had reddish hair. So, Sanford was called "Chicago Red" and Malcolm was called "Detroit Red." In Malcolm X's autobiography, he called Foxx "the funniest dishwasher on this earth."
Becoming a Star
Nightclub Comedy
Redd Foxx's comedy shows in nightclubs became very popular. He started performing on the East Coast. His big chance came when singer Dinah Washington told him to come to Los Angeles. There, a record company owner named Dootsie Williams saw his act. Foxx was one of the first Black comedians to perform for white audiences in Las Vegas. He signed a contract and released many comedy albums. These albums quickly became very popular.
His Famous TV Show: Sanford and Son
Foxx became most famous for starring in the TV show Sanford and Son. This show was based on a British TV series. Foxx played Fred G. Sanford. His co-star, Demond Wilson, played his son, Lamont. In the show, Fred and Lamont owned a junk shop in Watts, California. They often got into funny situations. The show was known for its humor about different groups of people. It helped change how Black families were shown on TV.
The show first aired on NBC on January 14, 1972. It ran for six seasons. In 1974, Foxx was sued for not showing up to film the new season. The last episode aired on March 25, 1977.
The show had many funny running jokes. When Fred was angry with Lamont, he would often say, "You big dummy!" He would also pretend to have heart attacks. He would put his hand on his chest and say, "It's the big one, I'm coming to join ya honey/Elizabeth." This was a joke about his late wife. Fred also often complained about having "arthur-itis" (arthritis) to avoid working. He would show Lamont his cramped hand. In the show, Foxx played a character who was in his 60s, even though he was actually about 10 years younger.
Foxx used his role on Sanford and Son to help his friends get jobs. These friends included LaWanda Page, Slappy White, and Pat Morita.
After Sanford and Son
In 1977, Foxx left Sanford and Son after six seasons. He went to star in a short-lived variety show on ABC. In 1980, he returned to play Fred G. Sanford in a new show called Sanford. This show did not last long either. In 1986, he came back to TV in The Redd Foxx Show on ABC. It was canceled after 12 episodes because not many people watched it.
In 1989, Foxx was in the movie Harlem Nights. This movie was written, directed, and starred Eddie Murphy. Foxx also made a comeback with the show The Royal Family. He starred in it with Della Reese.
Money Troubles
Redd Foxx reportedly earned a lot of money, sometimes $4 million in one year. However, he spent his money quickly. He also had "very bad management" of his finances. His divorces also added to his money problems.
In 1983, he filed for bankruptcy. This means he had to declare that he could not pay his debts. The government also said he owed a lot of money in taxes. In 1989, the government took his home in Las Vegas and seven of his cars to pay his taxes. They also took cash and other items. Foxx said he was treated very badly. It is reported that when he died in 1991, he still owed over $3.6 million in taxes.
Personal Life
Redd Foxx was married four times. His first marriage was to Evelyn Killebrew from 1948 to 1951.
In 1956, Foxx married Betty Jean Harris. She was a dancer and a friend of LaWanda Page, who later played Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son. Betty Jean stopped her career to be a full-time housewife. Foxx adopted Betty Jean's daughter, Debraca. Betty Jean also managed some of Foxx's businesses. They separated in 1974.
Foxx married his third wife, Joi Yun Chi Chung, in 1976. She was 20 years younger than him. They met when she was a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas. They divorced in 1981.
In July 1991, Foxx married Kaho Cho from South Korea. They met in Las Vegas. They were married at the Little Church of the West.
Death
On October 11, 1991, Redd Foxx was rehearsing for his show The Royal Family. During a break, he had a heart attack on the set. He passed away at the age of 68. He is buried in Palm Memorial Park in Las Vegas. His mother, Mary Sanford Carson, passed away two years after him and is buried next to him.
His Legacy and Influence
Many comedians and actors have said that Redd Foxx influenced them. Comedian Richard Pryor said Foxx gave him "inspiration and encouragement." Comedian Chris Rock also said Foxx was an influence. An episode of his show Everybody Hates Chris shows young Chris Rock listening to Redd Foxx's comedy albums. Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx chose his stage name as a tribute to Redd Foxx. Pat Morita, who was also a comedian, called Foxx his mentor.
Eddie Murphy has said that Redd Foxx was the most naturally funny person he ever met.
Film and TV Shows
Movies
- All the Fine Young Cannibals (1960) as Redd, Piano Player
- Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) as Uncle Budd
- Norman... Is That You? (1976) as Ben Chambers
- Days of Heaven (1978) as Himself
- Harlem Nights (1989) as Bennie Wilson
TV Shows
- Sanford and Son (1972–77) as Fred G. Sanford
- The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast(1974) as Himself
- The Captain & Tennille Show (1976) as Himself
- The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour (1977–78) as Himself
- HBO On Location with Redd Foxx (1978) as Himself
- Sanford (1980–81) as Fred G. Sanford
- Redd Foxx: Video in a Plain Brown Wrapper (1983) as Himself
- Viva Shaf Vegas (1986) as Himself
- The Redd Foxx Show (1986) as Al Hughes
- Motown Merry Christmas (1987) as Himself
- Ghost of a Chance (1987) as Ivory Clay
- The Royal Family (1991) as Alfonso Royal
