Grady Demond Wilson Net Worth

What was Grady Demond Wilson's net worth?

Grady Demond Wilson was an American actor, author, and ordained minister who had a net worth of $2.5 million at the time of his death.

Grady Demond Wilson was best known for starring as Lamont Sanford, the long-suffering son and business partner of Redd Foxx's cantankerous junk dealer, on the classic 1970s sitcom "Sanford and Son." Wilson appeared in 135 of the show's 136 episodes between 1972 and 1977, making him one of the most consistently featured actors of the era's top-rated television comedies.

After "Sanford and Son" ended, Wilson briefly transitioned into leading-man status, most notably earning a reported $1 million salary for a single season of CBS's "Baby… I'm Back!" in 1977. Though his time as a television star was relatively short-lived, Wilson remained culturally significant through decades of syndication, later recurring television roles, and a second career as a minister and religious author. In later years, he often spoke candidly about his disillusionment with Hollywood and his decision to step away from the entertainment industry at the height of his fame.

Early Life

Grady Demond Wilson was born on October 13, 1946, in Valdosta, Georgia, and grew up in Harlem, New York. His father was a tailor, and his mother worked as a school dietitian. At around age 12, Wilson suffered a ruptured appendix and nearly died, an experience that had a lasting impact on him. He later said that during his recovery he made a private promise to devote his life to God.

Wilson began performing at an unusually young age. He danced on Broadway at age four and later appeared in productions at the Apollo Theater while still a teenager. After high school, he served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, earning a Bronze Star Medal for his service.

After returning home, Wilson immersed himself in theater, appearing in numerous off-Broadway productions before breaking into television and film in the early 1970s. His early screen appearances included guest roles on "All in the Family" and "Mission: Impossible," as well as supporting parts in films such as "The Organization" and "Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues."

Sanford and Son

In 1972, Wilson landed the role that would define his career when he was cast as Lamont Sanford on "Sanford and Son." The series starred Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, a sharp-tongued Los Angeles junk dealer, with Wilson playing his frustrated, ambitious son. Lamont served as the show's comic straight man, frequently clashing with his father while also anchoring many of the show's emotional storylines.

Although Foxx was the bigger star, critics quickly noted that "Sanford and Son" functioned as a two-hander. Wilson's grounded performance gave the series much of its heart, and episodes often revolved around Lamont's aspirations, relationships, and conflicts with his father. The show became a massive ratings success, spending five seasons in the Nielsen Top 10 and ranking among the five most-watched programs in three of those years.

"Sanford and Son" ran for six seasons and 136 episodes and remains one of the most influential sitcoms of the 1970s, celebrated for its chemistry, sharp writing, and cultural impact. Wilson appeared in all but one episode.

Redd Foxx Salary Dispute

During the 1973–1974 season, Foxx abruptly walked off the show, publicly citing health issues but privately locked in a contract dispute. At the time, Foxx was earning roughly $19,000 per episode, an amount that already made him one of television's highest-paid performers. Production continued without him for several episodes, and NBC filed a $10 million lawsuit.

The dispute was eventually resolved with a dramatically improved deal for Foxx, including a salary increase and a percentage of the show's profits. While Foxx returned, the incident strained his relationship with Wilson. Wilson later said he was hurt to learn about Foxx's departure from a reporter rather than directly from his co-star. The two men were largely estranged afterward and spoke only briefly years later regarding a proposed anniversary special, which Wilson ultimately declined to participate in.

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Baby… I'm Back and Later Acting Work

After "Sanford and Son" ended in 1977, Wilson signed a $1 million contract with CBS to star in "Baby… I'm Back!," a sitcom about a man who returns to his family after years on the run from loan sharks. The show lasted just 13 episodes, but the salary represented one of the largest single-season television paydays of the era.

Wilson later starred as Oscar Madison in "The New Odd Couple" from 1982 to 1983 and had recurring roles in later years, including a two-season appearance on "Girlfriends" in the mid-2000s. His film credits included "Full Moon High," "Me and the Kid," and "Hammerlock." His final screen appearance came in the 2023 film "Eleanor's Bench."

Ministry, Books, and Personal Life

In the 1980s, Wilson stepped away from full-time acting and devoted himself to ministry. He was ordained in the Church of God in Christ and became active in evangelism, frequently appearing on Christian television networks. In 1995, he founded Restoration House, a nonprofit organization focused on faith-based outreach.

Wilson authored several religious and children's books, as well as a memoir, "Second Banana: The Bittersweet Memoirs of the Sanford & Son Years," published in 2009. In interviews, he often expressed dissatisfaction with Hollywood, describing his acting career as financially rewarding but emotionally unfulfilling.

Wilson married former model Cicely Johnston in 1974. They had six children together.

Death

Grady Demond Wilson died on January 31, 2026, at his home in the Coachella Valley area of California. He was 79 years old. His death was confirmed by his son, who said Wilson had been battling prostate cancer.

In his later years, Wilson spoke openly about leaving what he viewed as the superficiality of show business behind, framing his acting career as a chapter he had outgrown. Though his time in Hollywood was relatively brief, his portrayal of Lamont Sanford secured him a lasting place in television history and made him a familiar face to generations of viewers through decades of syndication.

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