Demond Wilson of 'Sanford and Son' dies at 79 from cancer complications

Actor Demond Wilson, best known for playing Lamont Sanford on the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son, has died aged 79 from complications with cancer, the actor's son said. Demond Wilson Jr. said his father was at his Palm Springs, California home when he died on Jan. 30. "I loved him. He was a great man," Wilson's son told TMZ.

Wilson's publicist Mark Goldman told People: "The family of Demond Wilson is deeply saddened by his passing. At this time, they ask for privacy as they grieve. No further details are available, and the family has no additional information to share. Personally, I had the privilege of working with Demond for 15 years, and his loss is profoundly felt.

He was an unbelievable man, and his impact will never be forgotten. The family appreciates the support and understanding of the community during this difficult time." Wilson served in the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War, returning home in 1968 after two years of service and being wounded.

He moved from Broadway and off-Broadway stage work into television, with guest roles on shows such as Mission: Impossible and All in the Family. His career-defining role came in 1972 as Lamont Sanford on Sanford and Son, an NBC sitcom adapted from the British series Steptoe and Son that ran for six seasons and paired Wilson’s peace-keeping Lamont with Redd Foxx’s bigoted Fred G.

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