Sanford And Son Actors You May Not Know Passed Away

"Sanford and Son" was a colossal hit for NBC in the 1970s as well as show creator Norman Lear's response to his other hit show "All in the Family." Both series followed a grumpy patriarch whose bigoted perspectives often frustrated their more progressive children, depicting the generation gap between baby boomers and their more traditional parents. The sitcom followed Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) and his son Lamont (Demond Wilson) who ran a junkyard in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles.

"Sanford and Son" laid the foundation for numerous series with predominantly Black casts that followed in the wake of its success. Ted Bergman, a scriptwriter for "Sanford and Son," argued the sitcom was groundbreaking because it "started a trend toward more realism in television. Things were being talked about that were not being talked about before" (via Emmy magazine). However, a Black writer and critic named Eugenia Collier said otherwise in an article for The New York Times, calling the series "white to the core" while arguing that it perpetuated damaging racial stereotypes.

Despite criticisms, "Sanford and Son" remained in the top 10 every season, and helped reshape the television landscape, leading to more representation of Black characters. Although the series ended in 1977, it has lived on through syndication and streaming. Considering it left the airways so long ago, you may have forgotten who starred in the series. Keep reading as we pay tribute to the "Sanford and Son" actors you may not know passed away.

LaWanda Page was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 19, 1920, but was raised in St. Louis — where she was childhood friends with Redd Foxx. She began dancing in her teens and performed with a fire dancing act on the Chitlin Circuit, earning her the nickname "the Bronze Goddess of Fire." In the 1960s, Page transitioned from dancing to comedy after moving to LA and joining the comedy group Skillet, Leroy & Co.

Her big break came when Foxx secured Page an audition for the role of Aunt Esther on "Sanford and Son." She became an audience favorite, playing Fred's sharp-tongued, bible-thumping sister-in-law. She reprised the role in both short-lived spin-offs, "Sanford Arms" and "Sanford," and she continued acting after her time playing Aunt Esther ended. Throughout her career, Page advocated for fair pay for Black performers. She died from diabetes complications in 2002 when she was 81.

Gregory Sierra was born on January 25, 1937, and was raised by his aunt in Spanish Harlem. After completing his service in the Air Force, Sierra accompanied a friend to an audition for an acting school and was invited to join instead. He began his acting career in New York on the stage and became a member of the National Shakespeare Company. Sierra moved to Los Angeles in the '60s to pursue a screen acting career.

Sierra was best known for playing Detective Sergeant Miguel "Chano" Amenguale in "Barney Miller," but he was memorable as Fred Sanford's Puerto Rican neighbor and rival, Julio Fuentes, on "Sanford and Son." He once told The Morning Record that he used his uncle for inspiration for the role: "I used him not only as a model but the namesake of the character I played on 'Sanford and Son.'" 

Sierra was also in the original cast of "Miami Vice," but he left the series, and his character was subsequently killed off. "He did not like Miami and some of the people he worked with," his wife told The New York Times. "He gave up a lot to leave the show." Sierra worked steadily in films and television throughout the '70s, '80s, and '90s. He died from cancer in 2021 at 83 years old.

Raymond Allen was born the youngest of 12 children in Kansas City, Missouri on March 5, 1929. He played Aunt Esther's husband Woody in "Sanford and Son," but is also remembered for his recurring roles as "Ned the Wino" on "Good Times" and Merle the Earl in "Starsky and Hutch." Allen reprised the role of Woody in "Sanford Arms" and had guest appearances on other series such as "The Love Boat," "The Jeffersons," and "What's Happening!!"

Allen quit acting in the '80s because of his poor health and had been living in a care facility since 2016 because of his frequent bouts of pneumonia. He died at age 91 in 2020 from a respiratory illness unrelated to COVID-19. His daughter, Ta Ronce Allen, announced his death via Facebook: "Just wanted to let The Allen Family and friends know that Dad received his wing two hours ago. His warmth, kind heart, and clever sayings will be missed. His laughter will ring in heaven. Rest In Heavenly Peace Raymond Allen. The last of 12 siblings."

Noam Pitlik began his acting career during college in Philadelphia by starring in the series "Action in the Afternoon." He was later cast in the off-broadway production of "The Three Penny Opera" in New York before becoming a character actor on television in Los Angeles during the '60s. He's best known for his work as a television director; winning an Emmy, Peabody Award, and DGA award for his directorial work, but Pitlik had an active acting career on screen before he became a director.

Pitlik was in numerous films and made the rounds on television in series such as "Hogans Heros," "Bewitched," and "I Dream of Jeannie" before landing a recurring role in "Sanford and Son" as Officer "Swanny" Swanhauser. He directed over 100 episodes of "Barney Miller" and approximately 100 more episodes of various shows during his career. If you watched broadcast television in the '70s or '80s, you probably saw something Pitlik directed. He died in 1999 of lung cancer at 66 years old.

Frank Nelson began his acting career on the radio but eventually transitioned into television after moving to Los Angeles. He was an advocate, founding member, and former president of the American Federation of Radio and Television Artists. Nelson also helped to establish a pension program for freelancers working in broadcasting and was involved with the project as its trustee throughout his lifetime.

Nelson made a career out of his animated, "Yeeessss?" Although he is best known for his extensive voice work and his time on "The Jack Benny Program," Nelson played multiple roles in six episodes of "Sanford and Son." His 60-year career survived the jump from radio to film and television, and he worked with many of the great variety performers of his time, including Bing Crosby, Abbott and Costello, and Bob Hope.

Nelson died of cancer in 1986; he was 75 years old, leaving behind his wife Veola Vonn, and their children, Doug and Bonnie. Upon hearing of Nelson's death, the AFTRA President Frank Maxwell said, "[Frank Nelson] fought fiercely for the things he believed in [...] His devotion to the welfare of his fellow members will leave its stamp on AFTRA for as long as the union lasts."

Nancy Kulp hailed from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and was a graduate of Florida State University, which was then known as Florida State College for Women. She worked as a journalist in Florida before moving to Los Angeles to work in publicity. According to The Los Angeles Times, Kulp once said, "My first love has always been journalism." After working in publicity, she was convinced to try her hand at acting and had a long career in films and television.

Kulp is best known for playing Jethro's secretary, Jane Hathaway, in "The Beverly Hillbillies," but she also played May Hopkins in five episodes of "Sanford and Son." After her turn on "Beverly Hillbillies" ended, she took to the stage on Broadway and continued with guest appearances on an astounding number of television series through the '70s and the '80s.

Kulp ran for Congress in her home state of Pennsylvania in 1984. "I think a man in office for 12 years should be opposed and the people given a choice," she told The New York Times. "I think he should be asked to answer for his voting record." She lost her bid for Congress when her "Beverly Hillbillies" co-star Buddy Ebsen publicly opposed her liberal stance on issues. Kulp died of cancer in Palm Springs in 1991 at the age of 69.