Who was Grady Demond Wilson? All about Sanford and Son actor who died at 79

Sanford and Son star Grady Demond Wilson dies at 79.

Wilson passed away on Friday due to complications from cancer at his home in Palm Springs, according to his son, Demond Wilson Jr.

He told TMZ, “I loved him. He was a great man.”

Grady was best known for his role in six seasons on the wildly popular 1970s NBC sitcom Sanford and Son, alongside Redd Foxx. The actor lived quite a colorful life.

In the 2011 book Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story, he talked about his work,

"After learning about the series format, I was doubtful about my involvement in the project. I thought about it long and hard and decided to take a chance. Redd and I thought we could grab some quick cash, plus notoriety, then move on to the next project.” Not expecting it to blow up as it did.

After Sanford and Son, he signed a “million-dollar contract” to star in CBS’ Baby … I’m Back. Followed by The New Odd Couple, opposite Ron Glass. In the 80s, Demond Wilson also suffered from a bit of a cocaine problem. He sold his Beverly Hills home and got ordained as an interdenominational minister.

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In 1985, he expressed, “I love preaching the gospel more than anything I’ve ever done. I’m so happy now. I feel honored to be chosen. Even when you’ve got everything — clothes, jewelry, nice house — you don’t feel happy. I was like Jonah, running from the Lord.”

He got married in May 1974 to model Cicely Johnston, with whom he had six children.

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