Sanford and Son Was Even More Interesting Behind The Scenes

Redd Foxx’s Shocking Death

Redd Foxx was famous for faking heart attacks on Sanford and Son, but on October 11, 1991, the actor suffered a real heart attack. Foxx was on a break from rehearsals for The Royal Family when he suffered a heart attack on set.

Foxx was about to do an interview when Della Reese noticed him on the ground. Foxx repeated “Get my wife,” before being taken to the Queen of Angels Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center where he died at the age of 68. The irony of his cause of death makes the story that much more shocking. Foxx was outlived by his wife and mother.

LaWanda Page Was Almost Fired

It’s hard to imagine the role of the critical, Bible-toting sister-in law of Fred Sanford, Aunt Esther, being played by anyone but LaWanda Page, but that was almost the case. Page was too nervous to give producers an audition they liked, but Redd Foxx insisted she was the only woman for the role.

Page and Redd Foxx had a friendship that started in their pre-teens. They attended school together in St. Louis, and when they both decided to enter comedy, they supported each other throughout their careers. It’s a good thing Foxx insisted Page was right for the role, because her squabbles with Fred Sanford drew in greater ratings for the show.