Demond Wilson Biography
Grady Demond Wilson was born October 13, 1946, is an American actor and writer. He began as Lamont Sanford, the son of Fred Sanford (played by Redd Foxx), on the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son (1972-77) when he was 26 years old. He played Oscar Madison on The New Odd Couple (1982–1983). He starred in the movie Me and the Kid (1993).
Demond Wilson Profile
| Date of Birth | Oct 13, 1946 |
|---|---|
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Valdosta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Residence | New York |
| Country | United States |
| Profession | Actor |
| Education | (will update soon) |
| Father | (will update soon) |
| Mother | (will update soon) |
| Nationality | American |
| Siblings | (will update soon) |
| Brother | (will update soon) |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Spouse | Cicely Johnston (1974) |
| Horoscope | Libra |
| Weight | 87 kg (191.8 lbs) |
| Height | 5 ft 9 inches |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
| Category | Actors and Actresses |
Early life Education and career
Wilson was born in Valdosta, Georgia, in 1946 and raised in New York City, where he learned tap dance and ballet. He made his Broadway debut at the age of four and performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem when he was twelve. Wilson grew up as a Catholic and served as an altar boy. Wilson briefly considered becoming a Catholic priest, despite his grandmother’s Pentecostal beliefs. At age thirteen, Wilson’s appendix ruptured, nearly killing him, but he pledged to serve God as an adult in some ministerial role.
Wilson served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968, and he was injured while serving in Vietnam with the 4th Infantry Division. When Wilson returned home as a decorated veteran in the late 1960s, he appeared in several Broadway and off-Broadway stage productions before moving to Hollywood, where he played guest roles on television shows such as Mission: Impossible and All in the Family, as well as in films such as The Organization (1971) and Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues.
Sanford and Son (1972–1977) and other acting projects
Following his appearance as a robber on All in the Family with Cleavon Little in 1971, Wilson was cast as Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. Johnny Brown was considered for the part, but due to his commitment to Laugh-In, Wilson took it instead. Wilson played Lamont throughout the series’ existence and became the star after Redd Foxx left the program in 1974 due to a contract dispute with the producers, and his character was written out for the remainder of the season.
Foxx returned the following year, and the two collaborated until 1977 when the show was terminated. In 1980-1981, Foxx attempted to resuscitate the show with the short-lived sitcom Sanford, but Wilson refused to reprise his part in the new series.
When asked in 2014 if he stayed in touch with anyone from Sanford & Son, particularly Foxx (who died on October 11, 1991), he replied:
No. I saw Redd Foxx once before his death, perhaps in 1983, and never saw him again. I was playing tennis at the Malibu Racquet Club when producers approached me about filming a Redd Foxx 50th Anniversary Special. I hadn’t spoken to him since 1977, so I called the club where Redd was playing. And we met at Redd’s office, although he wasn’t particularly friendly. I warned them men it was a bad idea. I never had a bad word with him.
People claim I’m protective of Redd Foxx in my book (Second Banana, Wilson’s biography of the Sanford years). I felt no anger toward Foxx (for departing the program in 1977) since I had a million-dollar contract at CBS to do Baby… I’m Back! My disappointment was that he did not inform me of his decision to throw in the towel; I learned about it in the corridor at NBC from a newscaster. I forgave him and loved Redd, but I never forgot this. The love was present. You can watch any episode to see that.
Wilson also appeared in three films: Full Moon High (1981), Me and the Kid (1993), and Hammerlock (2000).
Baby. I’m Back! (1978), and The New Odd Couple (1982–1983)
Wilson later starred as Raymond Ellis in the short-lived CBS comedy series Baby… I’m Back! and as Oscar Madison, opposite actor Ron Glass (who co-starred as Felix Ungar) in the ABC sitcom The New Odd Couple, a revamped black version of the original 1970-75 series on the same network, which starred Jack Klugman and Tony Randall, and was based on the 1968 film starring Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau.
Author
Wilson has published several Christian books about the New Age Movement and the hidden threats he believes it poses to society. New Age Millennium was published by CAP Publishing & Literary Co. LLC on December 1, 1998. Wilson, who has previously written children’s books, described the book as an “exposé” of certain New Age “symbols and slogans“.
Wilson’s memoir, Second Banana: The Bittersweet Memoirs of the Sanford & Son Years, was released on August 31, 2009. Wilson has stated, “It is simply a documented truth, a behind-the-scenes factual account of what occurred over those years. Redd (Foxx) and I were making history back then. We were the first blacks to appear on television in that capacity, and we paved the way for all the other shows that came after us.
Later appearances and projects
Wilson has also made multiple guest appearances on the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Praise the Lord program and is close friends with Clifton Davis. He also made a guest appearance on the UPN sitcom Girlfriends, as Lynn’s biological father.
Wilson began performing with actress Nina Nicole in a touring production of Matt Hardwick’s play The Measure of a Man. The play is billed as “a faith-based production” and is set in a small town in South Georgia.
In 2010, Wilson began working on a melodramatic family film based on the play Faith Ties. Wilson says of the project, “I portray a broken down old drunk whose wife and daughter are slain and he has given up on life. The protagonist is a preacher who is in the midst, of seeing the lives of people crumble around him.
Demond Wilson’s Personal Life
Wilson has been married to Cicely Johnston, a former model, since May 3, 1974. They have six children.
Wilson was boyhood buddies with Charlie Scott, an NBA Hall of Fame player.
Demond Wilson’s Net Worth
Demond Wilson has an estimated net worth of $2 million. Despite his great acting career, there is scant information accessible about Demond Demond Wilson’s pay. It is said that Demond Wilson made a lot of money during his prime years in the entertainment world. As of 2023, Demond Wilson’s net worth is expected to be between $2 million and $2.5 million. This includes earnings from his acting career, book sales, and other commercial enterprises. Wilson has managed to keep a consistent salary and is still regarded as one of the most recognizable figures in American television history. While Demond Wilson’s Net Worth information is limited, his achievements in the entertainment business are indisputable.
Demond Wilson Wife
Demond Wilson’s wife’s name is Cicely Johnston (1974). They were married on May 3, 1974, and have six children together. Cicely Johnston, Demond Wilson’s wife, has mainly remained out of the public eye, despite her fame as a model. Demond and Cicely have been married for nearly five decades and have maintained a solid and lasting relationship, despite the difficulties that come with a long-term marriage in the public light.
Demond Wilson Facts
He began his acting career at the age of four with an appearance in the Broadway play Green Pastures.
He was drafted by the Army and served in Vietnam.
He also guest-starred on an Emmy-winning episode of All in the Family, which helped him land the lead role on the hit comedy Sanford and Son.
Scaled back his acting activities after experiencing a spiritual awakening and becoming a pastor in 1983.
Is also a writer, with many children’s books including the novel Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memoirs of the Sanford & Son Years.
Demond Wilson Trivia
- I became a minister in 1984.
- His acting guru was Redd Foxx.
- Wilson served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968, and he was injured while serving in Vietnam
- with the 4th Infantry Division.
- In 1994, he created the Restoration House of America, which delivers Spiritual guidance and vocational
- training to former convicts.
- His book “Second Banana: A Bittersweet Memoir of Sanford and Son” has been released.
- He is most known to the public for his role as Lamont Sanford on Sanford and Son (1972).
- Cousin to Mary Mitchell.
Demond Wilson Social Media
- Instagram: @demondwilsonofficial
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Cotton Comes to Harlem | Rally Attendant | Uncredited |
| 1971 | The Organization | Charlie Blossom | |
| 1972 | Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues | Rupert | |
| 1981 | Full Moon High | Cabbie-Busdriver | |
| 1993 | Me and the Kid | Agent Schamper | |
| 2000 | Hammerlock | Morgan Rivers |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | All in the Family | Horace | Episode: “Edith Writes a Song” |
| 1971 | Mission: Impossible | Simmons | Episode: “Underwater” |
| 1972–1977 | Sanford and Son | Lamont Sanford | Main role (135 episodes) |
| 1978 | Baby… I’m Back! | Raymond Ellis | Main role (13 episodes) |
| 1979 | The Love Boat | Bart | Episode: “Letter to Babycakes” |
| 1981 | The Love Boat | Jesse (Isaac’s Uncle) | Episode: “Black Sheep” |
| 1981 | Today’s FBI | Leon | Episode: “Terror” |
| 1982–1983 | The New Odd Couple | Oscar Madison | Main role (18 episodes) |
| 2004–2005 | Girlfriends | Kenneth Miles | Recurring role (4 episodes) |
Who Is Demond Wilson?
Demond Wilson is an American preacher, novelist, and actor best remembered for his portrayal of Lamont Sanford in the classic 1970s television sitcom Sanford and Son. His career as a Hollywood actor was flourishing when he abruptly switched gears and became an ordained minister. This unique decision stunned a lot of people.
How old is Demond Wilson today?
As of September 2023, Demond Wilson is 76 years old. His zodiac sign is Libra.
What happened to Demond Wilson?
Demond Wilson took a sabbatical from acting in 2005 but returned in 2023 with a role in the television series Eleanor’s Bench. He’s now fit and has authored three books, one of which is titled Second Banana: The Bittersweet Memoirs of the Sanford and Son Years.
What is Demond Wilson’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Demond Wilson has a net worth of around $2.5 million.
Who is Demond Wilson’s wife?
Wilson is married to Cicely Johnston. The couple married on May 3, 1974, and has been together for more than four decades. Demond and Cicely Johnston have six children: Nicole, Melissa, Sarah, Christopher, Demond Jr., and Louise.
Is Demond Wilson still alive?
The American actor is still alive. Rumors about Demond Wilson’s death began to circulate in the media following his departure from the public eye. Demond claims that his departure from the spotlight allowed him to reconnect with his family and shape his character as a rehabilitated beast.
Where is Demond Wilson now?
Wilson has been traveling the gospel circuit since 1985 when he was ordained as an interdenominational preacher. He has also appeared in several commercials and created Restoration House of America. Since 1994, this center outside Lynchburg, Virginia, has helped rehabilitate jail convicts.
How tall is Demond Wilson?
Demond Wilson is 5 feet 9 inches (176 centimeters) tall and weighs 191 pounds (87 kg). Demond has black hair and eyes.
