Questions
What was Redd Foxx’s real name?
He was born John Elroy Sanford on December 9, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri. He later took his father’s and brother’s real first name, Fred Sanford, for his most famous TV character.
How did he get the name Redd Foxx?
In 1940s Harlem he befriended Malcolm Little, later Malcolm X. Both men had reddish hair, so Sanford was nicknamed "Chicago Red" and Malcolm was "Detroit Red." He combined "Red" with "Foxx" for his stage name.
Is it true he avoided the World War II draft in a strange way?
Reportedly he ate half a bar of soap before his physical, a trick that caused heart palpitations and helped him dodge the draft.
What was Redd Foxx known for before television?
He was called the "King of the Party Records" for his raunchy comedy albums, and he reportedly performed on more than 50 records in his lifetime, starting with recordings in 1946.
How did his nightclub career take off?
Singer Dinah Washington reportedly insisted he perform in Los Angeles, where club owner Dootsie Williams discovered him at the Brass Rail. He became one of the first Black comics to play to white audiences on the Las Vegas Strip.
What was his role on Sanford and Son?
He played junk dealer Fred G. Sanford on the NBC sitcom, which ran from 1972 to 1977. He was about 48 during the first season but played a character in his 60s.
What was his most famous catchphrase?
Fred Sanford would clutch his chest and fake a heart attack, crying, "You hear that, Elizabeth? I’m coming to join ya, honey!"
Did Redd Foxx appear in movies?
His first credited film role was in Cotton Comes to Harlem in 1970, where he played Uncle Budd. His earlier 1960 appearance in All the Fine Young Cannibals was uncredited.
Did he win any major awards?
He won one Golden Globe Award during the run of Sanford and Son, with three more Golden Globe nominations and three Primetime Emmy nominations.
Did he help other performers get their start?
Yes, he reportedly used his stardom to help colleagues land roles, including LaWanda Page and Pat Morita. Richard Pryor credited him with giving inspiration and encouragement.
How did Redd Foxx die?
On October 11, 1991, while rehearsing the sitcom The Royal Family with Della Reese, he suffered a fatal heart attack, the very ailment his character famously faked.
Did his castmates realize he was really having a heart attack?
Reportedly not at first. Because his TV character so often faked coronaries, castmates briefly thought he was joking around.
Did Redd Foxx have money troubles?
Despite reportedly earning $4 million in a single year, he faced bankruptcy and owed over $3.6 million in taxes by his death. Eddie Murphy paid for his funeral and burial in Las Vegas.
Where did Comedy Central rank him among stand-ups?
In 2004, Comedy Central ranked Redd Foxx number 24 on its list of the 100 Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time.
