The original role of Lamont Sanford was supposed to be played by Richard Pryor. The two do kind of look alike huh? My goodness what a duo that would have been, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx.:lol:

Orignally the shows characters were to be white, just like the original show S&S came from; Steptoe and Son. Supposidly, Paul Sorvino was to play the Lamont role and i forget who was to play Fred.

Richard Pryor wouldn't have worked IMO. Redd and Richard are both too unpredictable to maintain a sitcom.

Does anyone know why Richard Pryor didnt get that part? Anyone know the reasons specifically?

The Richard Pryor as a cast member has been explored on some S&S board or another, don't recall which or when.

Richard Pryor was the scriptwriter of a few episodes, though, maybe 2 or 3, possibly 4. There again, I've seen a rundown of the principal writers of all eposides, but don't know where I found that and didn't mark it.

FredFan55

Well, that is news to me!

Because , I thought I had read somewhere that Cleavon Little was supposed to get the role of Lamont but didn't due to other responsibilities.

oh well! :rolleyes:

I think we fans of S&S would have heard that before if it were true.

Take a look at the summaries of writers for the episodes. Richard Pryor is in there, no doubt.

Paul Sorvino was to be cast in the all white pilot, too, that's a fact. The networks didn't want it, so it was re-cast as an all black show, and ultimately, Redd Foxx was cast, and NBC took it.

What is it that you do not believe?

FredFan55

I don't believe Richard Pryor was ever offered the role of Lamont. I have heard that Cleavon Little was considered, but I have never heard about Richard Pryor being considered.

.....because Richard Pryor was definitely listed as a writer on some episodes. Listings here or elsewhere show that.

I recall reading about Cleavon Little being considered, too, but have no idea where I read it.

FredFan55