Demond Wilson Bio, Age, Height, Wife, Kids, Death, Net Worth & Career

Grady Demond Wilson, the beloved actor who brought Lamont Sanford to life on one of television’s most groundbreaking sitcoms, passed away on January 30, 2026, at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy that spans entertainment, ministry, and social advocacy. From his iconic role as the straight-man son to Redd Foxx’s cantankerous Fred Sanford on Sanford and Son (1972-1977) to his later years as an ordained minister and prison reform advocate, Wilson’s journey embodied transformation and resilience. With a net worth of $2.5 million, a 51-year marriage to former model Cicely Johnston, six children, and a ministry that helped rehabilitate former inmates, Wilson’s impact extended far beyond the television screen, making him a true Renaissance man of American culture.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Birth and Childhood

Grady Demond Wilson was born on October 13, 1946, in Valdosta, Georgia, but spent his formative years in Harlem, New York City. His upbringing was marked by a blend of Southern roots and urban experience—he would often visit his Pentecostal grandmother in Georgia during summer breaks, absorbing the vibrant religious traditions that would later influence his ministry.

Childhood Vow:
At age six, Wilson suffered a life-threatening ruptured appendix. During his recovery, he made a vow to God that he would dedicate his life to ministry as an adult. This childhood promise would foreshadow his later career transformation.

Religious Upbringing

Wilson was raised in a devout Catholic household where he:

• Served as an altar boy
• Participated actively in church activities
• Contemplated becoming a Catholic priest

However, his grandmother’s Pentecostal church exposed him to a more expressive form of worship that would later characterize his own ministry style.

Performing Arts Training

• Age 4: Appeared on Broadway in The Green Pastures (Pulitzer Prize-winning revival) alongside William Marshall and Ossie Davis
• Age 12: Danced at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem
• Teenage years: Studied tap dance and ballet
• Formal training: American Community Theater and Hunter College (acting studies)

These early experiences laid the groundwork for his entertainment career, though his path would first lead through military service.

Military Service (1966-1968)

Vietnam War Service

• Drafted: 1966 into U.S. Army
• Unit: 4th Infantry Division
• Deployment: Vietnam War (13-month tour)
• Injury: Wounded in combat, returned home as “highly decorated veteran”
• Discharge: 1968

Wilson rarely spoke in detail about his combat experiences, but his military service profoundly shaped his worldview and later advocacy work, particularly his compassion for struggling veterans and incarcerated individuals.

Career Journey

Early Acting Work (1971)

Breakthrough Role:

• 1971: Appeared in All in the Family episode “Edith Writes a Song” as Horace, a burglar from Harlem (with Cleavon Little)
• This performance caught the attention of producers Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear

Film Debut:

• 1971: The Organization (Sidney Poitier film) – played Charlie Blossom
• 1971: Mission: Impossible – guest appearance as Simmons

Sanford and Son (1972-1977)

The Role of a Lifetime:

• Premiered: January 14, 1972 (midseason replacement)
• Network: NBC
• Role: Lamont Sanford, son of junk dealer Fred G. Sanford (Redd Foxx)
• Episodes: 135 of 136 total episodes (missed one due to illness)

Show Impact:

• Ratings: Reached #2 in 1972-73 and 1974-75 seasons
• Top 10 hit in each of its last five seasons
• Cultural significance: One of the first Black-led sitcoms on American television
• Famous catchphrase: Answered to “Hey, Dummy!” from Fred Sanford

Behind the Scenes:

• 1974: When Redd Foxx walked off due to salary dispute, Wilson carried the show alone for remainder of season
• 1977: Show ended when Foxx left permanently for ABC variety show
• Wilson declined offer to continue alone, signing $1 million CBS contract instead

Wilson on the show’s legacy:

“Redd and I were making history back in those days. We were the first Blacks to be on television in that capacity and we opened the door for all those other shows that came after us.”

Post-Sanford Career (1977-1983)

Baby… I’m Back! (1977-1978)

• Network: CBS
• Role: Raymond Ellis
• Plot: Man returns after abandoning family for 7 years
• Co-star: Denise Nicholas (wife), kim fields (daughter)
• Episodes: 13 (cancelled after one season)
• Salary: $1 million contract (huge for era)

The New Odd Couple (1982-1983)

• Role: Oscar Madison (African American remake)
• Co-star: Ron Glass as Felix Unger
• Episodes: 18 (cancelled after one season)

Later Acting Work (1993-2023)

Film Appearances:

• 1993: Me and the Kid – Agent Schamper
• 2000: Hammerlock – Morgan Rivers

Television:

• 2004-2005: Girlfriends (UPN) – recurring role as Kenneth Miles, Lynn’s biological father (4 episodes)
• 2023: Eleanor’s Bench – final acting role (drama series)

Return to Stage (2011)

The Measure of a Man

• 2011: Touring production with actress Nina Nicole
• Playwright: Matt Hardwick
• Setting: Small South Georgia town
• Genre: Faith-based production

Ministry and Later Career (1984-2026)

Ordination and Calling

1984: Ordained as minister in Church of God in Christ
1985: Began full-time evangelistic ministry

The Transition:
Wilson described his shift from acting to ministry as a divine calling:

“I love preaching the gospel more than anything I’ve ever done. I’m so happy now. I feel honored to be chosen. Even when you’ve got everything—clothes, jewelry, nice house—you don’t feel happy. I was like Jonah, running from the Lord.”

Restoration House of America (1994)

Founded: 1994 (some sources say 1995)
Location: Near Lynchburg, Virginia
Mission: Provide spiritual guidance and vocational training to former inmates
Services:

• Rehabilitation programs
• Job training
• Spiritual counseling
• Reentry support

Wilson’s work with the formerly incarcerated stemmed from his belief in second chances and redemption.

Television Ministry

• Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN): Regular appearances on Praise the Lord program
• Co-host: Clifton Davis (fellow actor-turned-minister)
• Message: Combined personal testimony with Christian evangelism

Authorship

Christian Books:

• 1998: New Age Millennium: An Exposé of Symbols, Slogans and Hidden Agendas (with Grady D. Wilson and Avaneda D. Hobbs)
• Critique of New Age movement from Christian perspective

Children’s Books (1999):

• John Neuman Smith
• Lil’ Mowande
• Mr. Fish Takes a Wife

Memoir (2009):

• Second Banana: The Bittersweet Memoirs of the Sanford & Son Years
• Behind-the-scenes account of groundbreaking sitcom
• Documented relationship with Redd Foxx
• Historical significance of show

Personal Life

Marriage to Cicely Johnston

Wedding: May 3, 1974
Meeting: Cicely was a stewardess (flight attendant) and model when they met
Duration: 51 years (until his death in 2026)

About Cicely:

• Former model and flight attendant
• Largely stayed out of public eye
• Supported Wilson’s ministry work
• Shared his Christian faith

Marriage Challenges:
Wilson openly discussed marital struggles during his cocaine addiction period in the 1980s, including infidelity. However, the couple reconciled and remained together for over five decades.

Children

Demond and Cicely Wilson had six children together:

1. Nicole Wilson
2. melissa wilson
3. Sarah Wilson
4. Christopher Wilson
5. Demond Wilson Jr. – confirmed father’s death to TMZ (January 2026)
6. Louise Wilson

The children were raised largely out of the spotlight, though Demond Jr. became the family spokesperson at his father’s passing.

Health and Death

Cancer Battle:

• Wilson was diagnosed with cancer (specific type not publicly disclosed)
• Died January 30, 2026, at home in Palm Springs, California
• Age: 79
• Cause: Complications from cancer

Final Days:

• Passed away peacefully at home
• Surrounded by family
• Son Demond Wilson Jr. confirmed death to TMZ

Tribute from Son:

“I loved him. He was a great man.”

Controversies and Challenges

Cocaine Addiction (1980s)

Wilson openly admitted to struggling with cocaine addiction during the height of his fame:

• Impact: Strained marriage, financial difficulties
• Recovery: Overcame addiction through faith
• Result: Sold Beverly Hills home, dedicated life to ministry

Redd Foxx Relationship

Professional Tension:

• Foxx walked off Sanford and Son set in 1974 over salary dispute
• Wilson learned of Foxx’s permanent departure from a newscaster, not Foxx himself
• Wilson’s reflection: “I had no animosity toward Foxx… but I never forgot that”

Reconciliation:

• Saw Foxx once more circa 1983 (Foxx died 1991)
• Maintained respect for Foxx’s talent
• Defended Foxx in memoir

Brother’s Legal Issues

• Jelani Maraj (nicki minaj’s brother, not related to Demond Wilson – this appears to be confusion in search results)
• Wilson’s actual siblings not publicly known to have controversies

Financial Struggles

Despite $1 million contract in 1977, Wilson experienced financial difficulties:

• Cocaine addiction drained resources
• Sold Beverly Hills home
• Later lived modestly as minister

Awards & Achievements

Television Legacy

• Pioneering Role: One of first African American leads in primetime sitcom
• 135 episodes of Sanford and Son
• Helped pave way for The Jeffersons, Good Times, What’s Happening!!

Military Honors

• Decorated Vietnam veteran
• 4th Infantry Division service
• Wounded in combat

Literary Contributions

• 4 published books (memoir, Christian exposé, 3 children’s books)
• Second Banana (2009) considered important television history document

Cultural Impact

• Opened doors for Black television actors
• Broke stereotypes through dignified portrayal of working-class African American family
• Influenced generations of sitcom performers

Physical Statistics

Quotes

1. On His Legacy:

“Redd and I were making history back in those days. We were the first Blacks to be on television in that capacity and we opened the door for all those other shows that came after us.”

2. On Ministry vs. Acting:

“I love preaching the gospel more than anything I’ve ever done. I’m so happy now. I feel honored to be chosen.”

3. On Life Transformation:

“Even when you’ve got everything—clothes, jewelry, nice house—you don’t feel happy. I was like Jonah, running from the Lord.”

4. On His Memoir:

“It’s just a documented truth, behind the scenes factual account of what happened during those years.”

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth

Current Net Worth (2025)

Estimated Net Worth: $2.5 million (Celebrity Net Worth, Reality Tea, 2025)

Income Sources

Acting Career Earnings:

• Sanford and Son: Estimated $10,000-$20,000 per episode (1970s)
• Baby… I’m Back!: $1 million contract (1977) – major payday for era
• The New Odd Couple: Substantial salary (1982-1983)
• Later roles: Modest income

Ministry Income:

• Speaking engagements: Love offerings, honorariums
• Book sales: Royalties from 4 published books
• TBN appearances: Regular contributor

Restoration House:

• Non-profit, not personal income source
• Funded through donations and grants

Financial Evolution

Real Estate

• Beverly Hills home: Sold in 1980s during addiction recovery
• Palm Springs home: Final residence, passed away there
• Restoration House: Ministry property, Virginia

Interesting Facts

1. Childhood Broadway: Appeared on Broadway at age 4 in The Green Pastures with future stars.
2. Apollo Theater: Danced at Harlem’s legendary Apollo at age 12.
3. Vietnam Wounded: Served in 4th Infantry Division, wounded in combat.
4. $1 Million Contract: 1977 deal with CBS was enormous for African American actor at that time.
5. Ordained Minister: Became full-time preacher in 1984, completely leaving Hollywood.
6. Prison Reform: Founded Restoration House to help former inmates—personal mission.
7. Children’s Author: Wrote 3 children’s books in addition to adult works.
8. Final Role: Returned to acting in 2023 for Eleanor’s Bench after 18-year hiatus.
9. 51-Year Marriage: One of Hollywood’s longest-lasting marriages (1974-2026).
10. Cancer Battle: Kept illness private; death surprised many fans.

Did You Know?

• Demond Wilson died on January 30, 2026, at age 79 from cancer complications.
• He was one of the first African American leads in a primetime network sitcom.
• Wilson served in Vietnam and was wounded in combat with the 4th Infantry Division.
• He made a childhood vow at age 6 to become a minister after surviving ruptured appendix.
• Wilson danced at the Apollo Theater at age 12 and appeared on Broadway at age 4.
• He received a $1 million contract in 1977 for Baby… I’m Back!—huge for the era.
• Wilson overcame cocaine addiction in the 1980s and became ordained minister in 1984.
• He and wife Cicely were married for 51 years (1974-2026).
• Wilson wrote 4 books including memoir Second Banana about Sanford and Son.
• His Restoration House ministry helped rehabilitate former prison inmates for over 30 years.

Social Media and Legacy

Official Presence

• No official social media in later years
• Ministry website: Active through Restoration House
• TBN appearances: Regular through 2020s

Legacy Preservation

Fan Tributes (January 2026):

• “RIP Demond Wilson. My parents were pretty insistent on a 10 PM bed time when I was a kid, but they always let me make an exception for ‘Sanford and Son’ when it came on WPHL at 10. Always worth it.”
• “Lamont Sanford was the perfect foil for Redd Foxx’s Fred G. Sanford on one of the greatest sitcoms in TV history.”
• “Heartbreaking news. Grady Demond Wilson was a pillar of classic television and a piece of so many childhoods.”

Syndication and Availability

• Sanford and Son: Continues in syndication worldwide
• Streaming: Available on various platforms
• DVD: Complete series releases

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: When did Demond Wilson die?
A: Demond Wilson died on January 30, 2026, at the age of 79. His son, Demond Wilson Jr., confirmed to TMZ that he passed away at home in Palm Springs, California, from complications related to cancer.

Q: What was Demond Wilson’s cause of death?
A: Demond Wilson died from complications related to cancer. The specific type of cancer was not publicly disclosed by his family.

Q: Who was Demond Wilson’s wife?
A: Demond Wilson was married to Cicely Johnston from May 3, 1974, until his death in January 2026—51 years. She was a former model and flight attendant when they met.

Q: How many children did Demond Wilson have?
A: Demond Wilson had six children with his wife Cicely: Nicole, Melissa, Sarah, Christopher, Demond Jr., and Louise. Demond Jr. confirmed his father’s death to the media.

Q: What was Demond Wilson’s net worth?
A: At the time of his death, Demond Wilson’s estimated net worth was $2.5 million. This included earnings from his acting career, book sales, and ministry work.

Q: What happened to Demond Wilson after Sanford and Son?
A: After Sanford and Son ended in 1977, Wilson starred in Baby… I’m Back! (1977-1978) and The New Odd Couple (1982-1983). In 1984, he became an ordained minister and founded Restoration House of America to help former inmates. He returned to acting briefly in 2023 for Eleanor’s Bench.

Q: Was Demond Wilson a veteran?
A: Yes, Demond Wilson served in the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division during the Vietnam War from 1966 to 1968. He was wounded in combat and returned home as a decorated veteran.

Q: Did Demond Wilson have a drug problem?
A: Yes, Wilson openly admitted to struggling with cocaine addiction in the 1980s during the height of his fame. He overcame the addiction through his faith, sold his Beverly Hills home, and dedicated his life to ministry.

Conclusion

Demond Wilson’s life story reads like an American epic—Broadway child performer, Vietnam veteran, groundbreaking television star, recovering addict, ordained minister, and prison reform advocate. His portrayal of Lamont Sanford on Sanford and Son broke racial barriers and opened doors for generations of Black actors in television comedy. Yet his greatest legacy may be his transformation from Hollywood star to humble servant of God, spending four decades helping the marginalized through his Restoration House ministry.

As we remember Demond Wilson (1946-2026), we honor not just the entertainer who made us laugh, but the man who found redemption and dedicated his life to giving others the same chance. His 51-year marriage, six children, and countless lives touched through ministry stand as testament to a life well-lived—a true “second banana” who became a first-class human being.

Rest in peace, Demond Wilson. Thank you for the laughter, the lessons, and the legacy.