6 Things You Never Knew About ‘Sanford and Son’
Sanford and Son premiered on NBC in 1972 and immediately made an impression with its sharp humor and unforgettable characters. Based on the British series Steptoe and Son, this American version starred Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, a cranky junk dealer with a quick wit. His son Lamont, played by Demond Wilson, was the voice of reason, though even he got roped into Fred’s schemes now and then. Decades later, the show remains a fan favorite.
Here are six fun facts about Sanford and Son that might just make you love it even more:
1 The “G” in Fred G. Sanford was mysterious but also had a personal meaning
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If you watched the show, you might remember that Fred loved to play with the mystery of his middle initial, claiming it stood for things like “genius” or “greatness.” But in real life, the name was a tribute. Foxx named the character after his own brother, Fred Glenn Sanford Jr., who had passed away. That small detail added an emotional layer to the character, even if viewers never knew it.
2 Aunt Esther only stayed because of Redd Foxx
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LaWanda Page, who played the iconic Bible-thumping Aunt Esther, was almost fired after her first appearance. The producers were unsure about her lack of experience on camera and wanted to recast the role. However, Foxx wasn’t having it. He and Page had been friends since childhood, and he told the studio he’d walk if they let her go. Thankfully, they listened, and Page stayed on to become one of the show’s most beloved and quotable characters.
3 Redd Foxx paid for music rights out of his own pocket
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Foxx had a deep love for The Ink Spots, a vocal group from the 1930s, and he often sang their songs on the show, but NBC didn’t want to pay for the expensive rights. That didn’t stop Foxx. He paid for the licensing himself so he could sing the tunes he loved.
4 Lamont and Rollo were not actually friends in real life
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On screen, Lamont and Rollo had a smooth, brotherly bond. Off screen, things were different. Demond Wilson once shared that Nathaniel Taylor, who played Rollo, didn’t like him at all. Despite the tension, their scenes together worked. Wilson also said they were often high during filming, which may have helped things stay a little calmer on set.
5 Fred’s fake heart attacks had tragic real-life consequences
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Fred’s go-to move whenever he didn’t get his way was to grab his chest and yell to the heavens, “Elizabeth, I’m coming to join you!” It was one of the show’s biggest running jokes. Years later, while filming The Royal Family in 1991, Foxx suffered an actual heart attack, according to the Los Angeles Times. At first, everyone thought he was joking. When they realized it was real, it was already too late. He died on October 11, 1991 at the age of 68.
6 The show helped end The Brady Bunch
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In 1974, Sanford and Son aired on NBC at the exact same time as The Brady Bunch on ABC. For a while, it was a battle of very different families. But Fred and Lamont won that fight. Their show consistently pulled higher ratings and eventually helped push The Brady Bunch off the air. It proved that viewers were ready for a different kind of family story.
Who is your favorite character from the sitcom?
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