Demond Wilson, who played Lamont on 'Sanford and Son,' dies at 79

"Wilson was best known as the son of Redd Foxx's comically cantankerous Fred Sanford character in a sitcom that was among the first to feature a mostly Black cast when it began airing in 1972. The thoughtful Lamont had to put up with his junkyard owner father's schemes, bigotry and insults - most famously, and repeatedly, "You big dummy!" The show was a hit for its six seasons on NBC but ended when ABC offered Foxx a variety show."

"Wilson was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and grew up in the Harlem section of Manhattan, according to the biography on his website. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and was wounded there, and he returned to New York and acted on stage before heading to Hollywood. A guest appearance on "All in the Family" in 1971 led to his best-known role. Norman Lear produced both shows."

Demond Wilson died at 79 from complications of cancer. He gained fame in the 1970s playing Lamont on Sanford and Son, portraying a thoughtful straight man opposite Redd Foxx's Fred Sanford. He was born in Valdosta, Georgia, and raised in Harlem. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and was wounded before returning to New York to act on stage and later move to Hollywood. A 1971 guest appearance on "All in the Family" led to his breakout role. He later starred in Baby I'm Back and The New Odd Couple, appeared on Girlfriends, and became a minister and author.

Read at Boston.com