
It’s been over 30 years since we lost Redd Foxx, the comedic genius who made us all crack up on the iconic 'Sanford and Son' (NBC, 1972-1977). This LA-adopted legend passed away tragically from a heart attack on the set of his final show, 'The Royal Family' (CBS, 1991-1992), at just 68 years old. His sharp, boundary-pushing humor didn’t just entertain - it brought people together across cultural divides with that raw, West Coast edge.
Foxx wasn’t just a sitcom star; he was a vibe, a cultural force who could make a Venice Beach boardwalk crowd or a Hollywood red carpet audience roar with laughter. His legacy still resonates in the City of Angels, where comedy clubs and aspiring stand-ups channel his fearless spirit. Let’s take a ride down memory lane - think cruising down Sunset Boulevard - to celebrate the man who turned laughs into a unifier.
Born John Elroy Sanford in St. Louis, Missouri, Redd Foxx didn’t have an easy start. At just 4 years old, his father split, leaving him and his mom to fend for themselves. School wasn’t his scene either - he got kicked out for throwing a book at a teacher who’d chucked it at him first, and after a single year of high school, he ditched it to start a washtub band with buddies Lamont Ousley and Steve Trimel.
By 1939, with big dreams and red hair to match, Foxx ran away from home, landing in Harlem where he washed dishes alongside another future icon, Malcolm Little - later known as Malcolm X. They dubbed themselves 'Chicago Red' and 'Detroit Red,' and Foxx later tweaked his name by adding an extra 'd' and switching to Foxx, a nod to his slick, stylish ways. Malcolm X even wrote in his autobiography that Foxx was 'the funniest dishwasher on this earth,' a testament to his early comedic chops.
Foxx’s journey from St. Louis to the bright lights of Hollywood wasn’t just a glow-up - it was pure grit. He eventually made his way west, chasing fame with the kind of hustle you’d see on a busy day in DTLA (that’s Downtown LA for the uninitiated), setting the stage for a career that would change comedy forever.
Foxx rolled into Hollywood in the 1950s with a suitcase full of dreams and a mouth full of raunchy jokes, cutting his teeth in New York’s gritty nightclub scene before making the big move. He started recording his stand-up routines, and by 1960, he was killing it in Las Vegas with a sweet three-year, $960,000 contract - that’s $10,000 a week for 32 weeks a year, straight SoCal jackpot style. His big screen break came in 1969 with 'Cotton Comes to Harlem,' playing a junk dealer, which caught the eye of TV producers Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear.
That’s when 'Sanford and Son' was born, adapted from a British show and paired with the duo’s other hit, 'All in the Family.' Foxx’s portrayal of Fred G. Sanford - a name he picked to honor his late brother - turned him into a household name, the kind of star you’d spot grabbing a burger at In-N-Out. His grumpy, lovable junkman character became a staple of American TV, delivering laughs with a side of social commentary.
'Redd had this magic - he could roast you and still make you feel like family. That’s why everyone from Compton to Calabasas loved him,' said a longtime fan and LA comedy club regular, reflecting on Foxx’s universal appeal.
Not everything was smooth sailing on the Hollywood freeway for Foxx. In 1976, he left NBC for a comedy-variety gig on ABC that flopped harder than a bad audition. He tried again with a new 'Sanford' series on NBC in 1979, but that tanked too. Still, Foxx bounced back, teaming up with Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor for the 1989 film 'Harlem Nights,' reminding us all why he was a legend.
By 1991, he was starring in 'The Royal Family' alongside Della Reese, playing Al Royal, a retired Atlanta postman dealing with his daughter and her kids moving back in. To many, it felt like Fred G. Sanford 2.0, but Foxx’s charm still shone through, even if the role didn’t break new ground.
Foxx’s final years weren’t all red carpets and standing ovations. He grappled with financial struggles and IRS battles, a stark contrast to his earlier Vegas paydays. On October 11, 1991, while filming 'The Royal Family,' tragedy struck - Foxx suffered a fatal heart attack right on set, leaving co-star Della Reese pleading, 'Don’t die Redd - don’t die,' as the world lost a comedy titan.
His passing hit hard, like a quiet night in the Hollywood Hills after a raging party. But Foxx’s spirit lives on through his albums, which have sold over 15 million copies, proving laughter is timeless. His official website keeps the flame alive, reminding us of the man who turned struggle into stand-up gold.
Redd Foxx always believed in the power of a good laugh to bridge gaps, no matter where you’re from - whether it’s South Central or Santa Monica. As noted in David Dachs’ book 'Tops in TV,' Foxx once said doing his own thing meant making people laugh, the best way he knew to bring folks together.
His words still ring true in today’s LA, where comedy remains a melting pot of voices and stories. Foxx’s belief that 'it’s pretty hard to hate someone who makes you laugh' is a motto we could all use, especially when the 405 traffic’s got us down. So here’s to Redd Foxx - a true Hollywood original who turned humor into harmony.