Sanford and Son Was Even More Interesting Behind The Scenes

Lamont and Rollo Weren’t BFFs in Real Life

Demond Wilson’s character Lamont Sanford is best friends in the show with Rollo Lawson, played by Nathaniel Taylor. Behind the scenes, it was a different story. Wilson told ILoveOldSchoolMusic.Com in 2015 that he and Taylor never really got along while they were filming the series.

Demond Wilson also said the last time he saw Nathaniel Taylor was in 1977, and that the only reason they appeared to have good chemistry on screen was because they were high most of the time they were shooting episodes. It’s hard to believe these on-screen BFFs really couldn’t stand each other behind the scenes.

Demond Wilson’s Private Struggles

Though Demond Wilson is an ordained minister who is active on the gospel circuit, he’s had some private struggles throughout the years. The Sanford and Son set wasn’t the only place Wilson got high. The actor had a $1,000-a-week cocaine habit and a rocky marriage with stewardess turned model Cicely Johnston, who he cheated on.

His spiritual epiphany came in May of 1982 when his wife was in the hospital and he felt completely alone. He prayed he would get his family back together before immersing himself in studying the Bible and becoming an evangelist. He no longer drinks, smokes, or even dances.