Most people remember the "big dummy" lines and the fake heart attacks. For six seasons, Demond Wilson played the straight man to Redd Foxx’s hurricane of a personality. It was a perfect formula. A grumpy junk dealer in Watts and his ambitious, often exasperated son, Lamont. But behind the scenes of Sanford and Son, the vibe was a lot less like a family and a lot more like a battlefield.
Honestly, watching those old episodes today, you can see the chemistry. It’s undeniable. But by 1977, that magic had curdled into a mess of contract disputes and "he-said-she-said" drama. If you’ve ever wondered why one of the biggest shows in TV history just sort of... evaporated at its peak, the answer isn’t just about Redd Foxx. It’s about Demond Wilson knowing exactly what he was worth.
The Salary War Nobody Won
TV history usually frames the end of Sanford and Son as the "Redd Foxx exit." And sure, Foxx leaving for ABC was the killing blow. But what happened next is where it gets weird. NBC didn't want to let the brand die. They tried to keep the lights on with a spin-off called Sanford Arms.
They wanted Wilson to carry the torch. He was the star now, right? Well, Wilson looked at the numbers and basically said, "No thanks."
See, by 1977, Wilson had been the "second banana" for years. When NBC offered him a contract to lead the new show, he asked for a significant raise. He wanted to be paid like a lead. The network balked. They thought he’d just be grateful for the opportunity.
He wasn't.
Wilson didn't just walk away; he sprinted. He signed a $1 million contract with CBS to star in Baby... I'm Back!. In 1977, a million dollars was "never-work-again" money. It was a huge middle finger to the producers who thought he was replaceable.
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Why the "Sanford Arms" Reboot Failed Without Him
- The Recast: NBC hired Teddy Wilson (no relation) to play a new character. It felt off.
- The Vibe: Without the Fred-and-Lamont dynamic, the junkyard just looked like... a junkyard.
- The Audience: Fans weren't stupid. They knew Lamont was gone, and they tuned out immediately. The show lasted only four episodes before getting the axe.
The Relationship with Redd Foxx: It’s Complicated
You’ve probably heard the rumors that they hated each other. That’s not quite right. Wilson has spent decades clarifying this. In his memoir, Second Banana, he’s pretty blunt about the fact that he loved Redd like a father. But Redd was a chaotic force.
Imagine being a young actor—Wilson was a Vietnam vet who had seen real combat—trying to maintain a professional set while the lead actor is constantly walking off over things like "the size of his dressing room window."
The real heartbreak for Wilson wasn't the money. It was how it ended. He actually found out Redd Foxx was quitting the show from a newscaster in a hallway. Foxx hadn't told him.
That kind of sting stays with you. Wilson didn't see Foxx again for years. In fact, they only met one more time, around 1983, before Foxx passed away in 1991. It wasn't a warm reunion. It was "less than affable," as Wilson put it. It’s a bit tragic when you think about how much joy they gave the world as a duo.
Life After the Junkyard
A lot of child stars or sitcom leads fade into obscurity or tragedy. Wilson took a different route. After Baby... I'm Back! and a stint as Oscar Madison in a reboot of The New Odd Couple, he felt a different pull.
He didn't just "get religious." He went all in.
By 1984, he was an ordained minister. He started Restoration House, a center for helping former inmates transition back into society. This wasn't a PR stunt. He basically quit Hollywood because he felt the industry didn't align with his values anymore.
He’s been very vocal about the "dark side" of fame. In interviews, he’s mentioned that there are scenes from the first season of Sanford and Son he still refuses to watch. Not because they're bad, but because of the memories of what was happening behind the lens.
What Demond Wilson is Doing Now
- Writing: He’s authored several books, including children's stories and exposés on "New Age" movements.
- Ministry: He still travels and speaks, focusing on faith and personal integrity.
- Reflecting: He seems at peace with being "Lamont." He doesn't run from it, but he isn't defined by it.
The "Lamont" Legacy
What most people get wrong about Sanford and Son is thinking that Lamont was just a boring sidekick. He wasn't. He was the surrogate for the audience. He was the one trying to move up in the world while being dragged back down by "the old man."
Wilson’s performance was nuanced. He had to be funny, but he also had to be the emotional anchor. Without his "straight man" energy, Redd Foxx’s comedy would have had nothing to bounce off of.
If you want to truly appreciate his work, go back and watch the episodes where Fred is gone (like when he was "at a funeral in St. Louis" during one of Foxx's real-life strikes). Wilson carries those episodes with a weight that proves he was always a lead actor.
Next Steps for Fans: If you’re a die-hard fan of the show, hunt down a copy of Wilson's book Second Banana. It’s a raw, sometimes bitter, but ultimately honest look at what it was like to be a Black actor in the 70s. Also, check out some of his recent interviews on YouTube—at nearly 80 years old, the man is still sharp, opinionated, and has zero interest in sugar-coating the Hollywood "dream."