Sanford and Son Was Even More Interesting Behind The Scenes

None of the Actors Thought the Show Would Last

Sanford and Son lasted 6 seasons for a total of 138 episodes, but before the show began, none of the stars thought it would last. Demond Wilson was asked to take on the role of Lamont Sanford by producer Bud Yorkin, but apparently, he needed to be convinced by his co-star Redd Foxx.

“I thought about it long and hard and decided to take a chance,” said Wilson. “Redd and I thought we could grab some quick cash plus notoriety, the move on to the next project.” Instead the show was a huge commercial and critical success. Sanford and Son also paved the way for many shows that would follow.

Fred Sanford’s Heart Attacks Came from Foxx’s Mother

Fred Sanford’s famous fake heart attacks are one of the most recognizable traits of the grumpy but beloved character. Red Foxx pulled inspiration from his own life to come up with the joke. Foxx told Sammy Davis Jr. on Sammy and Company, “Fred Sanford is Mary Sanford, who is my mother, but you can reverse personalities to male or female.”

He continued, “My mother would do the same thing … she would have heart attacks when I was a kid, I remember. When she wanted something done she could hardly breathe—she had emphysema, she had cancer, she had lumbago, she had whooping cough.”