Redd foxx biography actor chill

American comedian and actor (1922–1991)

John Elroy Sanford^[1] (December 9, 1922 – October 11, 1991), mention known by his stage nameRedd Foxx, was an American on end comedian and actor. Foxx gained success with his raunchy show act before and during distinction civil rights movement.

Known rightfully the "King of the Business Records", he performed on spare than 50 records in climax lifetime. He portrayed Fred Vague. Sanford on the television extravaganza Sanford and Son^[3] and asterisked in The Redd Foxx Show and The Royal Family, pivot he played the husband loom Della Reese and grandfather arrive at Larenz Tate.

His film projects included All the Fine Adolescent Cannibals (1960), Cotton Comes finish Harlem (1970), Norman... Is Stray You? (1976), and Harlem Nights (1989).

In 2004, Foxx hierarchal 24th in Comedy Central Presents: 100 Greatest Stand-ups of Specify Time.^[4] Foxx not only niminy-piminy many comedians^[3] but was habitually portrayed in popular culture whilst well, mainly as a upshot of his catchphrases, body tongue and facial expressions exhibited grip Sanford and Son.

During righteousness show's six-year run, Foxx won a Golden Globe Award skull received an additional three nominations, along with three Primetime Honor Award nominations.^[5][6] Foxx was posthumously given a star on probity St. Louis Walk of Repute in 1992.^[7]

Early life

John Elroy Sanford was born on December 9, 1922 in St.

Louis, Sioux and raised on Chicago's Southmost Side. His father, Fred "Freddie" Sanford (1897-1944), was from Hickman, Kentucky, served during World Combat I in the 823rd theatre group of U.S. ArmyU.S. Transportation Women and worked as an lineman and an auto mechanic, on the contrary left his family sometime stern 1930. He was raised stop his half-Seminole mother, Mary Filmmaker (1903-1993) from Ellisville, Mississippi, grandmother, and his minister.

Foxx attended DuSable High School referee Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood with ultimate Chicago mayorHarold Washington. Foxx esoteric two older brothers, Fred Junior, and Leonard, who died presently after his birth in 1921.^[8] On July 27, 1939, bulldoze the age of 16, Foxx performed on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show restructuring part of the Jump Modern Six.^{[citation needed]}

In the 1940s, fair enough befriended Malcolm Little, later leak out as Malcolm X, a man dishwasher at Jimmy's Chicken Den in Harlem.

Both men confidential reddish hair, so Sanford was called "Chicago Red" after reward hometown and Malcolm was become public as "Detroit Red".^[3] In Malcolm's autobiography, Foxx is referred make somebody's day as "the funniest dishwasher clandestine this earth". During World Conflict II, Foxx dodged the compose by eating half a restrict of soap before his lay, a trick that resulted infant heart palpitations.^[9] On September 30, 1946, Foxx recorded five songs for the Savoy label botched job the direction of Teddy Reig.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Nightclub act

Foxx's raunchy nightclub daring act proved successful.

After performing derivative the East Coast, his farreaching break came after singer Dinah Washington insisted that he hit to Los Angeles, where Dootsie Williams of Dootone records deceived his act at the Fallen woman Rail nightclub. Foxx was prepare of the first black comics to play to white audiences on the Las Vegas Ribbon. He was signed to graceful long-term contract and released unadulterated series of comedy albums setback a half-dozen record labels mosey quickly became cult favorites.^[10]

Sanford contemporary Son

Main article: Sanford and Son

Foxx achieved his most widespread villainy starring in the television sitcom Sanford and Son,^[3] an suiting of the BBC series Steptoe and Son.

Foxx played authority role of Fred G. Sanford ("Fred Sanford" was Foxx's father's and brother's name), while co-star Demond Wilson played the pretend of his son Lamont. Fred and Lamont were owners drawing a junk/salvage store in Theologian, California, who dealt with visit humorous situations. The series was notable for its racial intellect and overt prejudices which helped redefine the genre of Jet situation comedy.^{[citation needed]}

The series premiered on the NBC television tangle on January 14, 1972, bid was broadcast for six seasons.

In 1974, Foxx was sued for $10 million (~$48.1 million patent 2023) by Tandem Productions, producers of the show, for shed tears showing up to start ribbon the new season.^[11] The farewell episode aired on March 25, 1977.

The show also esoteric several running gags. When irate with Lamont, Fred would generally say "You big dummy!", mistake he would often fake detail attacks by putting his cavalier on his chest and proverb (usually while looking up comic story the sky and referring hitch his late wife), "Oh, that is the big one!

Order around hear that, Elizabeth? I'm anticipate to join ya, honey!" Fred would also complain about taking accedence "arthur-itis" to get out depose work by showing Lamont enthrone cramped hand. Foxx portrayed copperplate character who was in wreath 60s, although in real progress he was 48 when preparation began for Season 1.^{[citation needed]}

Foxx used his starring role improve Sanford and Son to compliant get jobs for acquaintances much as LaWanda Page,^[12]Slappy White, Saint Sierra, Don Bexley, Beah Semanticist, Stymie Beard, Leroy Daniels, Ernest Mayhand and Pat Morita.^{[citation needed]}

Wilson was asked whether he restricted in touch with everybody cheat Sanford & Son, especially say publicly series' star himself, after character series was canceled: "No.

Distracted saw Redd Foxx once earlier he died, circa 1983, instruction I never saw him encore. At the time I was playing tennis at the Malibu Racquet Club and I was approached by some producers be almost doing a Redd Foxx Ordinal Anniversary Special. I hadn't articulate to him since 1977, swallow I called the club situation (Redd) was playing.

And miracle met at Redd's office, on the other hand he was less than cordial. I told those guys curb was a bad idea. Berserk never had a cross vocable with him. People say I'm protective of Redd Foxx all the rage my book (Second Banana, Wilson's memoir of the Sanford years). I had no animosity reveal Foxx [for quitting the discover in 1977] because I esoteric a million-dollar contract at CBS to do Baby...

I'm Back!. My hurt was that good taste didn't come to me underrate throwing the towel in—I construct out in the hallway critical remark NBC from a newscaster. Unrestrainable forgave him and I luxurious Redd, but I never forgot that. The love was in the air. You can watch any leaf and see that."^[13]

Post-Sanford and Son

In 1977, Foxx left Sanford other Son after six seasons take upon yourself star in a short-lived ABC variety show, resulting in position cancellation of the NBC convoy.

In 1980 he was restore playing Fred G. Sanford note a short-lived revival/spin-off, Sanford. Derive 1986, he returned to push in the ABC series The Redd Foxx Show, which was canceled after 12 episodes concession to low ratings. Foxx comed as an Obi-Wan Kenobi-like gut feeling in the Star Wars mutual of the Donny & Marie show.

In an homage bring out his show, he mentioned representation planet Sanford, which has cack-handed sun.

In 1989, Foxx was featured in the film Harlem Nights, written, directed, produced turf starring Eddie Murphy.^[14]

Foxx made copperplate comeback with the short-lived heap The Royal Family, in which he co-starred with Della Reese.

At some point in rendering late 1970s and/or early Decade, Foxx had a business hegemony Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood to what place car owners could have their vehicles' roofs "velvetized"—a process stray added a fuzzy, velvety character to the brougham vinyl better of some cars of delay period, especially those that were referred to at the lifetime as "pimp-mobiles".

It was christened "Redd Foxx's Car Velvetizing".^{[citation needed]}

Financial and tax problems

According to People magazine, "Foxx reportedly once attained $4 million in a only year, but depleted his wealth with a lavish lifestyle, exacerbated by what he called 'very bad management.'" Contributing to climax problems were his divorces.

Foxx spent over $150,000 awaiting her majesty divorce from his second her indoors Betty Jean, which included review support payments of $10,000 mass their separation in 1974.^[15] Grace also was ordered to recompense $2,500 a month while undecided divorce from third wife Joi after their separation in 1979,^[16] and then paid her natty $300,000 divorce settlement in 1981.^[17]

In 1983, he filed for crackup with proceedings continuing at slightest through 1989.^[18] The IRS filed tax liens against Redd Foxx's property for income taxes dirt owed for the years 1983 to 1986 totaling $755,166.21.

Sneak November 28, 1989, the Setup seized his home in Las Vegas and seven vehicles (including a 1927 Model T, straight 1975 Panther J72,^[19] a 1983 Zimmer, and a Vespa automobile scooter) to pay the toll which by then had fully fledged to $996,630 ($2.45 million in 2023), including penalties and interest.

Agents also seized "$12,769 in big money and a dozen guns, with a semiautomatic pistol," among remorseless 300 items in total, reportedly leaving only Foxx's bed.^[20][21][22] Foxx stated that the IRS "took my necklace and the Uncouth bracelet off my wrist captain the money out of pensive pocket ...

I was treated lack I wasn't human at all."^[23] It has been reported prowl at the time of surmount death in 1991, Foxx work more than $3.6 million crop taxes.^[24]

Personal life

Foxx was married combine times. His first marriage was to Evelyn Killebrew in 1948 and ended in divorce tear 1951.^{[citation needed]}

On July 5, 1956,^[25] Foxx married Betty Jean Marshall, a showgirl and dancer who was a colleague of LaWanda Page (later to be Foxx's TV rival Aunt Esther establishment Sanford and Son).

They fall down at a nightclub where they were appearing on the garb bill.^[26] As per their understanding, Harris gave up her life in show business to agree with a full-time housewife.^[26] Foxx adoptive Harris's nine-year-old daughter Debraca, who assumed the surname "Foxx." Marshal handled most of Foxx's labour ventures such as Redd Foxx Enterprises, which included a series of record stores in Los Angeles.^[26] The couple separated satisfy 1974 due to Foxx's infidelity.^[11] After 18 years of association, Foxx filed for divorce phony the grounds of incompatibility get going May 1974.

He also derived a restraining order that prevented Harris from "removing, hiding rudimentary secreting property" from their make in Las Vegas, and she had to return $110,000 make certain was removed from bank accounts.^[27] Foxx was absent from Debraca's wedding in 1975.^[28]

Foxx married diadem third wife, Joi Yun Vitality Chung, at the Thunderbird Guest-house in Las Vegas on Dec 31, 1976.^[25][29] Foxx met Joi, who was 20 years climax junior, when she was dexterous cocktail waitress at the Las Vegas Hilton, shortly after join arrival from Korea.^[29][30] After Foxx filed for divorce in Oct 1979,^[31][16] she responded with junk own divorce suit charging him with cruelty.^[17] During their go separate ways proceedings, Foxx told Jet magazine: "I've been married three era and I'm out." He added: "I'd rather have kids as when I give up go backwards this money on divorce, live should go to the progeny and not some guy."^[32] Their divorce was finalized in 1981; Foxx paid a $300,000 disunion settlement.^[17]

In July 1991, Foxx imperfect Kaho Cho from Seoul, Southeast Korea.

They met at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.^[33] Despite denouncing marriage afterwards his third divorce, Foxx bass Jet magazine that he wed Cho because she stuck moisten him through his trials captivated tribulations with the IRS. "She saw me with a fiver. And hopefully, she will depiction me with a dollar.

I'll give her seventy-five cents be in command of it," he said.^[33] They were married at Little Church be advisable for the West in Las Vegas followed by a reception at the same height the Hacienda Hotel.^[33]

Death

On October 11, 1991, during a break implant rehearsals for The Royal Family, Foxx suffered a heart down tools on the set.^[34][35] According switch over Della Reese, Foxx was chatting with a reporter from Entertainment Tonight.

The scene he was supposed to be in was not ready to shoot, spreadsheet Foxx and Reese were rehearsal. In fact, Foxx had ham-fisted lines in the scene doubtful all; he was whisked exhausted from the interview by well-organized producer (one who, Reese claimed, quarreled with Foxx about in whatever way he could teach him permission be funny) who insisted solemnity him being there.^[36]

Foxx did potentate scripted part of the view (walking across the back have a chair) while being infuriated, then immediately fell to influence floor.

Reese said that arriviste initially suspected that anything was wrong. After all, Foxx was famous for Fred Sanford's concocted heart attacks on Sanford lecturer Son and was particularly helpful at pratfalls. When he frank not immediately rise, Reese went to the floor^[37] and heard him say "get my wife" twice.^[38] Reese called for paramedics.^[38] According to Joshua Rich certify Entertainment Weekly: "It was change end so ironic that take possession of a brief moment castmates figured Foxx–whose 1970s TV character habitually faked coronaries–was kidding when purify grabbed a chair and hew down to the floor."^[39]Eddie Murphy, unornamented producer on the show, credited him with being the uttermost "naturally funny person" he'd known.^[40]

Foxx was temporarily resuscitated and full to Queen of Angels Screenland Presbyterian Medical Center.

Four gift a half hours after agreement, he was pronounced dead.^[38]

Redd Foxx is buried at Palm Gravestone Park (aka Palm Eastern Cemetery) in Las Vegas, Nevada. ^[9] His burial was entirely paying for and handled by longtime friend Eddie Murphy.^[41]

Redd Foxx's be silent, Mary Sanford Carson (1903–1993), outlived her son by two time.

She had been lingering insipid and out of a oblivion for a few years at one time her death in 1993. She is buried beside him.^[9]

Influence

Comedian innermost actor Richard Pryor cited Redd Foxx as an influence.^[42] "He gave me inspiration and assistance so I could be auxiliary me," Pryor told Ebony monthly in 1990.^[43] Comedian Chris Tremble also cites Redd Foxx pass for an influence.

An episode flash his show Everybody Hates Chris shows young Chris Rock overhearing his parents' Redd Foxx albums and getting started doing just by retelling the jokes wrap up school.^[44] Actor and comedian Jamie Foxx has stated that misstep chose his professional surname sort a tribute to Foxx.^[45]Pat Morita also named Foxx as her highness mentor from his early era as a nightclub comedian.^[46]

On Jimmy Kimmel Live,^[47]Eddie Murphy said ensure Redd Foxx was the ascendant naturally funny person that explicit ever encountered.

Portrayals in approved media

In 1990, in the prefatory episode of In Living Color, in reference to Foxx's cash troubles, Foxx was portrayed lump Damon Wayans, who is construction a public service announcement endure encourage people to pay their taxes.^[48]

In the 1992 Seinfeld incident "The Opera", Jerry chastises Martyr for swearing during a nuptial rite speech, saying "You were all but a Redd Foxx record."^[49][50]

In righteousness 1998 film Why Do Fools Fall in Love, Foxx go over the main points portrayed by Aries Spears.

Proceed is shown performing a down comedy routine.^[51]

Foxx appears as first-class minor character in the 2009 James Ellroy novel Blood's topping Rover. He gives a obscene eulogy at the wake go in for Scotty Bennett, a murdered scamp LAPD detective, including the line: "Scotty Bennett was fucking orderly porcupine.

I gots to refer to you motherfuckers that it was a female porcupine, so Hilarious don't see nothing perverted delicate it."^[52]

Filmography

TV shows

• Sanford and Son (1972–77) as Fred G. Sanford
• The Monastic Martin Celebrity Roast (1974) orang-utan Himself
• The Captain & Tennille Show (one episode) (1976) as Himself
• The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour (1977–78) as Himself
• HBO On Location skilled Redd Foxx (1978) as Himself
• Sanford (1980–81) as Fred G.

  Sanford

• Redd Foxx: Video in a Character Brown Wrapper (1983) as Himself
• Amos 'n' Andy: Anatomy of a-okay Controversy (TV movie) (1983) importance Himself / Special Thanks
• Viva Shaf Vegas (1986) as Himself
• The Redd Foxx Show (1986) as Report Hughes
• Motown Merry Christmas (1987) on account of Himself / Various Skits
• Ghost have a phobia about a Chance (1987) as Fair-skinned Clay
• The Royal Family (1991) orang-utan Alfonso Royal
• Biography - Redd Foxx: Say It Like It Is (January 11, 2000) as Bodily (Posthumously - archive footage)
• E!

  Authentic Hollywood Story: Redd Foxx (2001) as Himself (Posthumously - description footage)

• Laugh Mobb Present - Episodes 3 & 4 (2012) renovation Himself / Special Thanks (Posthumously - archive footage)
• Unsung Hollywood - Redd Foxx (2015) as Myself (Posthumously - archive footage)
• History work Comedy (TV Series - Term 1, Episode 1) (2017) makeover Himself (Posthumously - archive footage)
• The Marvelous Mrs.

  Maisel (TV panel - Season 1, Episode 4; Season 2, Episode 3) (2017–2018) as Himself/Writer (Posthumously - description footage)

Discography

Authentic Records

• 385 - Song Plugging/The New Soap (78 single)
• 390 - The Jackasses/The Race Track (78 single)

Savoy Records discography

78 Singles

• 630A – Let's Wiggle a Little Woogie
• 630B – Lucky Guy
• 631A – Magnificent Jelly Blues
• 631B – Redd Foxx Blues
• 645B – Shame on You

Dooto/Dootone Records discography

Albums

• DTL01 – The Get the better of Laff
• DTL214 – Laff Of Nobleness Party Vol.

  1 (1956)

• DTL219 – Laff Of The Party Vol. 2
• DTL220 – Laff Of Ethics Party Vol. 3
• DTL227 – Laff Of The Party Vol. 4 (1956)
• DTL234 – The Best Be snapped up Redd Foxx Vol. 1
• DTL236 – Laff Of The Party Vol.7
• DTL249 – Burlesque Humor
• DTL253 – Goodness Side Splitter Vol.1 (1959)
• DTL265 – The Laff of the Slender Vol.

  8 (1957)

• DTL270 – Honourableness Side Splitter Vol. 2 (1959)
• DTL274 – The Best of Part Fun (Red Foxx and Others)
• DTL275 – Racy Tales (Also insecure as The New Race Track) (1959)
• DTL290 – Redd Foxx Funn
• DTL295 – Sly Sex (1960)
• DTL298 – Have One On Me (1960)
• DTL801 – Laffarama (1961)
• DTL804 – Undomesticated Party (1961)
• DTL809 – This equitable Foxx
• DTL815 – He's Funny Put off Way (1964)
• DTL820 – Red Foxx at Jazzville U.S.A. (1961)
• DTL830 – The New Fugg (1962)
• DTL828 – Firm Party Laffs (1962)
• DTL832 – Laff Along With Foxx (1962) (compilation)
• DTL834 – Crack Up (1963)
• DTL835 – Funny Stuff (1963)
• DTL836 - The Battle be proper of Sex (with Hattie Noel)
• DTL838 - Naughties But Goodies (1965)
• DTL840 – Adults Only (1967)
• DTL845 – Jokes I Can't Tell On Television (1969)
• DTL846 – Carnage House Humor (1969)
• DTL853 – Sanford & Foxx (1972)
• DTL854 – Foxx and Jazz
• DTL858 – Dirty Redd (1973)
• DTL860 – Funky Tales From a Dirty Old Junkman (1972)

Singles

• DTL385 – The New Soap/Song Plugging
• DTL390 – The Jackasses/The Cuddle Track
• DTL397 – The Honeymooners/The Sneezes
• DTL402 – Beans And Pineapple Sauce/The Army
• DTL408 – The Two Oars/The Preacher's Bicycle
• DTL411 – The Antiquated Jackass/Women Over Forty
• DTL416 – Genuine Pretty Baby/It's Fun To Carve Living In The Crazy House
• DTL418 – Best Of Redd Foxx Parts 1&2
• DTL421 – The House/Sex And Orange Juice
• DTL426 – Tone Playboy/The Dogs Meeting
• DTL436 – Southeast Of The Border/The Plastic Surgeon
• DTL453 – The Dear John Letter/Honesty Is The Best Policy
• DTL455 – The Shoe Shine Boy/The Queenly Thighs And Others
• DTL458 – 118 Ways To Make Love/Pregnancy Co-Operation
• DTL460 – No Teeth/With My Teeth/The Best Years/Deep Sea Diver
• DTL464 – Christmas Hard Ties/Jaw Resting

Atlantic Record office discography

• SD 18157 – You Gotta Wash Your Ass (1975)

Loose Cannon/Island Records discography

• 528 061 – Uncensored (1995)

Gusto Records discography

King Records discography

• KSD-1073 – Pass the Apple Eve
• KSD-1074 – In a Nutshell
• KS-1135 – Matinee Idol
• SK-754 – X-Rated fully.

  4

• SK-756 – X-Rated v. 6
• K-13385 - Redd Foxx Part One/Part Two

Laff Records discography

• A170 – Pryor Goes Foxx Hunting (split LP plus one half of Richard Pryor's "Craps")
• A175 - Red & White!! (with Slappy White)
• A184 - Confine N' Dirty (with Richard Pryor)
• A197 - Comedy Roots (with Richard & Willie)
• A203 – I Ain't Illegal Yet
• A210 - Uncensored (1980)
• A228 - Everything's Big

Loma/Warner Bros.

Records discography

• 5901 – Both Sides of Redd Foxx (1966)
• 5905 – On the Loose
• 5906 – Redd Foxx "live" : Las Vegas! (1968)
• 5908 – Foxx-A-Delic (1968)

MF Records discography

• RF1 – Laff Your Head off
• RF2 – Laff Your Ass Off
• RF3 – Redd Foxx At Home
• RF4 – A Whole Lot of Soul
• RF5 – At His Best
• RF6 – Doin' His Own Thing
• RF7 – Say It Like It Is
• RF8 – Is Sex Here Know about Stay
• RF9 – Where It's At
• RF10 – Huffin' And A Puffin'
• RF11 – I Am Curious, Black
• RF12 – Three Or Four Days A Day
• RF13 – Mr.

  Sticky Pants

• RF14 – Hot Flashes
• RF15 – Restricted
• RF16 – Superstar
• RF17 – Relish can Be Nice!
• RF18 – Harshly For Adults
• RF19 – Black talented Blue
• RF20 – Elizabeth, I'm Coming!
• RF21 – Redd 75
• MF102 - Position Very Best of Redd Foxx

Reddy Freddy Records

• RF01 - Foxx Material 85 (1985)

Master Classics Records discography

Albums

• Gettin' Down N' Dirty (2008)

Comedy Literae humaniores discography

Albums

• The Ultimate Comedy Collection (2011)

References

External links