Fred G. Sanford
Fred G. Sanford is a fictional character portrayed by actor/comedian Redd Foxx on the 1972–1977 NBC sitcom Sanford and Son and the 1980–1981 NBC sitcom Sanford.
| Fred G. Sanford | |
|---|---|
Fred G. Sanford (seated) and his son Lamont | |
| First appearance | "Crossed Swords" (Sanford and Son) |
| Last appearance | "To Keep a Thief" (Sanford) |
| Created by | Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, based on Albert Steptoe created by Galton and Simpson |
| Portrayed by | Redd Foxx |
| In-universe information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | Junk/antiques dealer |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Winfield Sanford (deceased 1952) |
| Children | Lamont Sanford (son) (born September 27, 1940) |
| Relatives | Frances Sanford Victor (sister) Esther Winfield Anderson (sister-in-law) Ethel Winfield (sister-in-law) Essie Winfield (mother in-law) Elroy Winfield (father in-law) Leotus Sanford (uncle; deceased) |
Foxx, whose real name was John Elroy Sanford, modeled the character after his real-life older brother, Fred Glenn Sanford, Jr., who had died in 1965, seven years before the show premiered. The role is an adaptation from Albert Steptoe (Wilfrid Brambell) of the series' forebear, Steptoe and Son. The character Fred is an elderly, widowed, sarcastic, and cantankerous junk dealer. He is the proprietor of "Sanford and Son", a junk and antique dealership which he runs out of his home, along with his son, Lamont. Foxx appeared in all episodes of the series except nine (due to a contract dispute Foxx had with NBC) in 1974.
In 1999, TV Guide ranked him #36 on its list of the 50 Greatest TV Characters of All Time.