Actor Demond Wilson, best known for his role on Sanford and Son, has died at the age of 79. He passed away yesterday, January 30th, at his home in Palm Springs, California, after a battle with cancer. His son, Demond Wilson Jr., shared with TMZ that he loved his father and considered him a great man. Publicist Mark Goldman also confirmed the news to People magazine.
Demond Wilson’s family is heartbroken to announce his death. They are asking for privacy while they mourn and have no further information to share at this time. I was fortunate enough to work with Demond for 15 years, and his loss is deeply felt. He was an extraordinary person, and his influence will be lasting. The family thanks everyone for their support and understanding.
Following his service in the Vietnam War in 1968 – where he spent two years with the 4th Infantry Division and was later wounded – Wilson transitioned from performing in stage shows on Broadway and off-Broadway to taking on guest roles in popular Hollywood television series like Mission: Impossible and All in the Family.
It wasn’t until 1972 that Wilson found his most famous role: Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son, which lasted six seasons. The show, based on the British series Steptoe and Son, humorously depicted the often-contentious relationship between the prejudiced Fred G. Sanford (played by Redd Foxx) and his son, Lamont, as they tried various unsuccessful money-making plans. After Sanford and Son ended, Wilson continued acting, appearing in shows like The Love Boat, Today’s FBI, The New Odd Couple, Girlfriends, and Eleanor’s Bench, which was his last television role.
A Devastating Week for Hollywood
CBC
The last few days have been difficult for fans of entertainment. First, we lost TV icon Wilson, and now, Catherine O’Hara, beloved for her roles in Schitt’s Creek and Beetlejuice, has passed away at age 71. Her representatives at Creative Artists Agency confirmed she died peacefully at her Los Angeles home after a short illness. According to a report in Page Six, O’Hara experienced a medical emergency and had trouble breathing before paramedics arrived.
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In a heartfelt moment, the beloved comedian shared that she didn’t want to be known for her professional achievements. Instead, she hoped to be remembered simply as a mother to her sons, Matthew and Luke. She revealed this to Julia Louis-Dreyfus during an interview on the Wiser Than Me podcast.
As a movie lover, I’ve always believed that family comes first, and that’s really shaped my career choices. When my sons were little, I seriously questioned what was the point of working if I couldn’t be there for them. Being a good dad was, and still is, the most important thing to me, and that’s always been my guiding principle.
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2026-02-01 02:07