(Photo by NBC Television\/Courtesy of Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nNews of Wilson\u2019s passing comes courtesy of TMZ, who says that they spoke with his son, Demond Wilson Jr.<\/p>\n
The younger Wilson stated that his father died at his home in Palm Springs following a battle with cancer.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved him. He was a great man,\u201d Demond Jr. said.<\/p>\n
Wilson was cast on Sanford and So<\/em>n \u2014 opposite comedy legend Redd Foxx \u2014 after wowing producers with a guest spot on All In the Family<\/em>.<\/p>\nIn the 2011 book Black and Blue: The Redd Foxx Story<\/em>, Wilson revealed that he didn\u2019t think the show would be a hit, but he took the job anyway, hoping that it would serve as a springboard to bigger things.<\/p>\n\u201cAfter learning about the series format, I was doubtful about my involvement in the project. I thought about it long and hard and decided to take a chance,\u201d Wilson said.<\/p>\n
\u201cRedd and I thought we could grab some quick cash, plus notoriety, then move on to the next project.\u201d<\/p>\n
But to the surprise of both leads, Sanford and Son <\/em>went on to become a massive hit.<\/p>\nAiring Friday nights at 8 pm, the show was soon dominating juggernauts like The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour<\/em> and The Brady Bunch<\/em> in the ratings.<\/p>\n\u2018Sanford and Son\u2019 star Demond Wilson has passed away. (YouTube)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nThe show reached the number two overall spot in the 1972-73 ratings race, and it was a top ten hit in each of its last five seasons.<\/p>\n
Wilson kept the show running on his own after Foxx exited over a salary dispute during the 1974 season.<\/p>\n
But shortly thereafter, Foxx quit for good in order to host his own variety show. Wilson declined the offer to continue starring in the show without his co-lead.<\/p>\n
Instead, he accepted a lucrative deal playing a man who returns to the family he abandoned in a CBS sitcom titled Baby \u2026 I\u2019m Back<\/em>. The show lasted just 13 episodes.<\/p>\nWilson was the last of the surviving main cast members on Sanford and Son.<\/p>\n
Our thoughts are with his loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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