Demond Wilson, 'Sanford and Son' star, dies at 79

The last surviving core cast member of the 1970s sitcom passed away in Palm Springs.

Jan. 31, 2026 at 2:55pm

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Demond Wilson, the last surviving core cast member of the 1970s hit sitcom "Sanford and Son", has died at his home in Palm Springs at the age of 79 due to complications related to cancer, according to reports.

Why it matters

Demond Wilson's role as Lamont Sanford on "Sanford and Son" was a groundbreaking portrayal of a Black character in a leading sitcom role during the 1970s, a time when representation of diverse communities on television was still limited.

The details

Wilson played Lamont Sanford, the son of the show's lead character Fred Sanford, portrayed by Redd Foxx. "Sanford and Son" was a hugely popular sitcom that ran for six seasons from 1972 to 1977 on NBC.

  • Demond Wilson died on January 31, 2026 at his home in Palm Springs.

The players

Demond Wilson

The last surviving core cast member of the 1970s hit sitcom "Sanford and Son", who played the role of Lamont Sanford.

Redd Foxx

The lead actor of "Sanford and Son", who portrayed the character of Fred Sanford, Demond Wilson's on-screen father.

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What they’re saying

“I loved him. He was a great man,”

— Demond Wilson's son

The takeaway

Demond Wilson's passing marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic and groundbreaking sitcoms of the 1970s, "Sanford and Son", which helped pave the way for greater representation of diverse characters on television.