Morgan BellRedd Foxx on drugs and dying
December 18th 2008 15:11
"I feel sorry for people who don't drink or do drugs. Because someday they're going to be in a hospital bed, dying, and they won't know why."
Redd Foxx
1922-1991 (died from a heart attack aged 68)
TV and stand-up comedian
Sanford and Son (1972–1977)
The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour (1977–1978)
HBO On Location with Redd Foxx (1978)
Sanford (1980–1981)
Viva Shaf Vegas (1986)
The Redd Foxx Show (1986) (cancelled after 4 months)
Ghost of a Chance (1987)
The Royal Family (1991)
Sanford and Son starred Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, a 65-year-old junk dealer living in southern Los Angeles, with his 28-year-old son, Lamont Sanford. The NBC program was based on the UK comedy series Steptoe and Son.
Fred G. Sanford was a widower (he had moved to Los Angeles from St. Louis), whose wife Elizabeth had died some two decades before. Fred had raised Lamont alone and missed Elizabeth deeply. The character was known for routinely clutching his chest and saying "I'm coming Elizabeth", meaning dying and meeting his dearly departed wife in heaven.
For whatever reason (and the actor's drug and alcohol consumption was surely a factor), the network [NBC] that capitulated to everyone from Bob Hope to Johnny Carson over the years refused to (or could not) make Redd Foxx happy.
Redd Foxx made no secret of his love of cocaine, wearing a gold coke spoon around his neck and openly doing drugs on the 'Sanford and Son' set.
On October 11, 1991 (just a month after the first episode of 'The Royal Family' aired on ABC), Redd Foxx had a massive heart attack during rehearsals. At first the cast and crew laughed at him, they thought he was joking around, doing his "I'm coming Elizabeth" shtick from 'Sanford and Son'.
It quickly became apparent that this was no joke, but still no one on the set was willing to immediately help the comedian as he lay dying. No member of the crew wanted to risk his job and be known as the person who injured the star of the show.
Ironically, 'The Royal Family' was not the first title for the show. "They had an idea called 'Chest Pains'", Redd Foxx told a reporter, "But that sounded too much like Fred Sanford." It was a sadly prophetic title.
Read the full story HERE
A fan-made montage of Fred G. Sanford clutching his chest in "heart attack" scenes:
Obama gaffe trying to reference Sanford and Son:
Redd Foxx
1922-1991 (died from a heart attack aged 68)
TV and stand-up comedian
Sanford and Son (1972–1977)
The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour (1977–1978)
HBO On Location with Redd Foxx (1978)
Sanford (1980–1981)
Viva Shaf Vegas (1986)
The Redd Foxx Show (1986) (cancelled after 4 months)
Ghost of a Chance (1987)
The Royal Family (1991)
Sanford and Son starred Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, a 65-year-old junk dealer living in southern Los Angeles, with his 28-year-old son, Lamont Sanford. The NBC program was based on the UK comedy series Steptoe and Son.
Fred G. Sanford was a widower (he had moved to Los Angeles from St. Louis), whose wife Elizabeth had died some two decades before. Fred had raised Lamont alone and missed Elizabeth deeply. The character was known for routinely clutching his chest and saying "I'm coming Elizabeth", meaning dying and meeting his dearly departed wife in heaven.
For whatever reason (and the actor's drug and alcohol consumption was surely a factor), the network [NBC] that capitulated to everyone from Bob Hope to Johnny Carson over the years refused to (or could not) make Redd Foxx happy.
Redd Foxx made no secret of his love of cocaine, wearing a gold coke spoon around his neck and openly doing drugs on the 'Sanford and Son' set.
On October 11, 1991 (just a month after the first episode of 'The Royal Family' aired on ABC), Redd Foxx had a massive heart attack during rehearsals. At first the cast and crew laughed at him, they thought he was joking around, doing his "I'm coming Elizabeth" shtick from 'Sanford and Son'.
It quickly became apparent that this was no joke, but still no one on the set was willing to immediately help the comedian as he lay dying. No member of the crew wanted to risk his job and be known as the person who injured the star of the show.
Ironically, 'The Royal Family' was not the first title for the show. "They had an idea called 'Chest Pains'", Redd Foxx told a reporter, "But that sounded too much like Fred Sanford." It was a sadly prophetic title.
Read the full story HERE
A fan-made montage of Fred G. Sanford clutching his chest in "heart attack" scenes:
Obama gaffe trying to reference Sanford and Son:
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Comment by moonglow
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It just might come true.
Yeah, yeah.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i was reading that some of the old episodes are now censored because of the racial language he used to use (ie: n*ggers) . . . he seems like a real character, very honest and out-spoken!
hi Wilson,
i was watching a few old episodes on YouTube, i dont think we got the show here when i was a kid (maybe a bit before my time) but its very different to The Cosby Show that i did grow up with!
hi Norm,
its like pulling a scary face, if the wind changes it might stay that way!
Comment by sam sall
Speech Starter
Health Matters
thank youfor this post ...i really enjoyed it
you know i think it not uncommon to here tht an faced a similar destiny in their life like their TV CHARECTER
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
im glad you enjoyed it!
life imitating art? karma? or the boy who cried wolf?
sometimes things have a strange symmetry . . .
Comment by Mountain Fog
Infognito
Screen Trek
QUOTE ME NO QUOTES!
but that is not why I am here, the real reason is...I'm preggers...ummm...no can't back that up wither, no such luck..in tryng at least ahem!
So Mirrrrrry Crittermess to you and a Happy Gonorrhoea!!! tee hee...that's the Bogan seaon's greetings isn't it?
Seriously (said in deep voice) may you have a delightful Christmas, and a fabulous New Year, bringing you much fun, happiness and luck!
cheers
fog
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
hope you have a great xmas too!
im in air-con in western syd so im set!