Demond Wilson was always wearing glasses and he seemed relaxed and calm do you think he was on drugs by the last season of sanford and son before it was canceled ???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXj5Nl9sHiw

Yes I do.

Most TV shows dont let characters wear shades because viewers cant see their eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHE32dm7ME0

http://www.iloveoldschoolmusic.com/wow-lamont-reveals-which-sanfordson-co-star-was-their-drug-supplier/

While it is now no secret that Demond, who is a reverend, used to get VERY high back in the day, he has revealed revealed that the ENTIRE cast got high and was actually high on the show!

According to Demond Wilson, the Sanford & Son drug supplier was “Aunt Esther!” Yep, you’re reading this right, actress LaWanda Page a.k.a. “Aunt Esther” was allegedly their drug pusher, so to speak. Don’t believe us? Watch Demond say reveal this himself, in the video clip below.

We’re not sure of which drug they were using- cocaine, weed, etc.- but the visual on that is hilarious! Who could imagine “Aunt Esther” smoking a joint, while rocking’ her church hat and clutching her Bible?!! LOL.

When Demond Wilson was asked about “Rollo,” Demond said “he never liked me.” But the reason why fans never saw that dislike on camera was because he said “Most of the time we were high…we were all high…the entire cast. You know who used to bring it? ‘AUNT ESTHER’ (laughs).”

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Supposedly LaWanda Page was a prostitute when she was younger so the drug supplying doesn't surprise me that much. After all, with a face like that she needed an alternative source of income.

No, he just played one on t.v.

Actually, Smitty and Hoppy were more high than any of them!!

i think in his book he talked about he and red foxx doing coke together.

Demond Wilson did not like acting he wanted to be a preacher, which he eventually did. He was messed up on drugs and alcohol and was a notorious womanizer and would criticize Redd Foxx for doing the same things he did.

He said, his relationship with Foxx was like a marriage he loved him and hated him.

Lawanda Page is a very funny comedienne on the Dean Martin Roasts !

i think in his book he talked about he and red foxx doing coke together.

The director, Alan Rafkin (https://sanfordandson.fandom.com/wiki/Alan_Rafkin#:~:text=According%20to%20his%20autobiography%20Cue%20the%20Bunny%20on%20the%20Rainbow%20(its%20title%20is&text=Redd%20Foxx.%20At%20the%20same%20time%20he%20had%20volatile%20relationships%20with%20several), in his book, Cue the Bunny on the Rainbow (https://www.google.com/search?q=Cue+the+Bunny+on+the+Rainbow&sca_esv=e0b64f93a720b270&sxsrf=ANbL-n4LgOqDyP7dNOi_32UbheNNjhpCoQ%3A1770004638712&source=hp&ei=niCAac2gKdus0PEPyYjDqA8&iflsig=AFdpzrgAAAAAaYAurgyeoOi0GdzqfjwDSn58VM6yhl0q&ved=0ahUKEwjN5_SN9bmSAxVbFjQIHUnEEPUQ4dUDCDM&uact=5&oq=Cue+the+Bunny+on+the+Rainbow&gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhxDdWUgdGhlIEJ1bm55IG9uIHRoZSBSYWluYm93MgYQABgWGB4yCxAAGIAEGIoFGIYDMgsQABiABBiKBRiGAzILEAAYgAQYigUYhgMyCBAAGIAEGKIEMgUQABjvBTIFEAAY7wUyCBAAGIAEGKIESJEFUABYAHAAeACQAQCYAZgBoAGYAaoBAzAuMbgBA8gBAPgBAvgBAZgCAaACoQGYAwCSBwMwLjGgB_sFsgcDMC4xuAehAcIHAzItMcgHB4AIAQ&sclient=gws-wiz), goes into (https://www.google.com/books/edition/Cue_the_Bunny_on_the_Rainbow/_cVkAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Cue+the+Bunny+on+the+Rainbow+Redd+Foxx&dq=Cue+the+Bunny+on+the+Rainbow+Redd+Foxx&printsec=frontcover) real detail on Redd Foxx's coke habit and on set usage.

In many interviews Wilson did mention the increase of cocaine use among the main players as the show progressed. He even stated that Ms. Page was their supplier!

Redd made no secret of his drug use and was, during that era, almost always sporting a gold chain with a gold coke spoon dangling from it.

In many interviews Wilson did mention the increase of cocaine use among the main players as the show progressed. He even stated that Ms. Page was their supplier!

Rollo (Nathaniel Taylor) denied the rumor about Aunt Esther supplying drugs to the cast. In the link below he said and I quote:

"And there was another thing that someone who got fired from the show put out there that [actress Lawanda Page] used to supply drugs to everybody on the show. That’s a blatant-ass lie!"

https://entert.online/sanford-son-actor-nathaniel-taylor-discusses-redd-foxx-and-classic-sitcom/

https://entert.online/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/24a-678x381.png

Rollo (Nathaniel Taylor) denied the rumor about Aunt Esther supplying drugs to the cast. In the link below he said and I quote:

"And there was another thing that someone who got fired from the show put out there that [actress Lawanda Page] used to supply drugs to everybody on the show. That’s a blatant-ass lie!"


Fascinating that Nathaniel Taylor had a different view of events. I can't say either man was right or wrong, but there is an interview with Demond Wilson, not currently on Youtube so I'll have to dig through my discs to find it, where he does state that LaWanda Page brought the "goodies" to the set. Even doing a comical impression of her saying to him, "I didn't forget you, baby!" Lulz!!

Wilson has a take on Taylor, beginning at 25:00 in this interview conducted by Bro. Henry, where a bit of the on-set mythos is broken down. What we have are two different viewpoints from two different actors:
https://youtu.be/wrqZNImrFVY?t=1502

When I find the interview with Wilson talking about on-set drug use and Redd's own drug habit, I'll put it up here. I have no reason to doubt either of the two men's views, but Wilson truly pulled no punches when talking about his own life experience and I don't think he would implicate anyone just for the sake of sensationalism or to drag their name in the mud. He just told it like it was.

I have yet to read Demond Wilson's book, Second Banana, written about his life at the time of Sanford and Son and his relationship with Redd and The Industry, but It's on the list, for sure.

i think in his book he talked about he and red foxx doing coke together.

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https://hypersclub.com/ - Actress Kathleen Bradley known for her role in Friday as Mrs. Parker continues her talk with HYPE+. In promotion of new film The Daughters Of Dolemite, Bradley reflects on her time with Redd Foxx and shares her thoughts on him passing with nothing. Instagram: @HypePlusTV & Twitter: @HypePlusTV

My guess is there is some Truth and Fable coming from all involved.

Some people like to exaggerate to make the story have zing, who wants to listen to a boring story ?

And some people prefer to protect those they knew and shared times and illicit drugs with, just out of respect for their friendship.

Stupid Criminals who talk about their crimes are often caught ! Not that the people here are criminals but bare in mind those that are telling dirty stories are likely not too bright LOL

Arrighty. . . Page 37 in Wilson's book, Second Banana, he clearly states that most of the rumors anyone could Google about drug use during the show's run are true.

I'd call that a definitive answer to the OP's question and case closed!

You know folks, it's kind of hard to imagine (let alone disturbing as hell) that Aunt Esther, a god-loving, church-going Christian woman being a prostitute and a drug dealer in her early days.

You know folks, it's kind of hard to imagine (let alone disturbing as hell) that Aunt Esther, a god-loving, church-going Christian woman being a prostitute and a drug dealer in her early days.

(And sayeth he who hath no religion, nor followeth any faith disclaimer thingy.. Just read it in Esther's voice!)

And just like it says in the Good Book,

Acts 3:19: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

The Lord could forgive anybody.. Even that ol' heathen Fred Sanford!

Haww, Glory! Hallelujah, Jesus. And praise The Lord, Amen.

Selah.

Great Post !

(And sayeth he who hath no religion, nor followeth any faith disclaimer thingy.. Just read it in Esther's voice!)

And just like it says in the Good Book,

Acts 3:19: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."

The Lord could forgive anybody.. Even that ol' heathen Fred Sanford!

Haww, Glory! Hallelujah, Jesus. And praise The Lord, Amen.

Selah.

Sorry, If I was in anyway shape or form mean, rude or disrespectful in that last post. Should've just mentioned Lawanda instead of Esther. Again, I do apologize.

Sorry, If I was in anyway shape or form mean, rude or disrespectful in that last post. Should've just mentioned Lawanda instead of Esther. Again, I do apologize.

Nah. It's just meant to be in the spirit of the show and the character.

Nah. It's just meant to be in the spirit of the show and the character.

of course.

But it's surprising to me that the video with Kathleen Bradley mentioning about Fred Sanford that their is no mention about her being a former Barker Beauty on TPIR, but then again, its probably due to the problems with her former late boss of the past due to the Dirty Rotten Scandals documentary that E! has aired this year.

of course.

But it's surprising to me that the video with Kathleen Bradley mentioning about Fred Sanford that their is no mention about her being a former Barker Beauty on TPIR, but then again, its probably due to the problems with her former late boss of the past due to the Dirty Rotten Scandals documentary that E! has aired this year.

I didn't catch the scandals documentary. Is there anything else to dish on Bob Barker and others? Worth checking out?

I didn't catch the scandals documentary. Is there anything else to dish on Bob Barker and others? Worth checking out?

Just asking.

You know, I heard that in a interview from YouTube that Wilson and Foxx were, lets just say "packing heat" on set while filming an episode of the show. I mean, were they pretending to be cops or mobsters?

Just asking.

You know, I heard that in a interview from YouTube that Wilson and Foxx were, lets just say "packing heat" on set while filming an episode of the show. I mean, were they pretending to be cops or mobsters?

The 70's was a crazy decade full of bad politics and unpredictable attitudes.

Demond Wilson was a Vietnam veteran who claimed to not have any form of PTSD as a result of his mostly negative experience in the field and returning to civilian life as a shunned "hero". However, he did return from service with more that a slightly skewed view of life, people, social echelons, and seemed to have a general distrust for the volatile L.A. scene and the rowdy studio audiences that Sanford & Son attracted.

Plus, there were the Vegas shows that Wilson and Foxx were engaged with, where the venues and promoters had ties to The Mob, as it were, and those ties extended far beyond the desert and into the L.A. scene, as well. Wilson lays it all out in condensed form in the interview described and linked below.

"Not homogenized" is, I think, how Wilson described the crowds who attended the live tapings of Sanford & Son, implying that the mixed audience for the racially groundbreaking and stereotype-shattering program was volatile and could erupt unpredictably at any moment. Also, back in those days, there was no screening process for anyone entering the studio. With heavy racial tension still in the air. no matter how you slice it, even with segregation slowly becoming a thing of the past, there was a heady distrust in the air that rivaled the notorious L.A. smog and was perceived as much more an imminent and immediate threat.

As Wilson explained to Jon Aba in the ComedyHype podcast: "I never did an episode when I wasn't strapped. Never! People knew that about me. Redd, too. I had a Derringer." (ComedyHype, Hype+, Jan 1, 2024. 50:00 approximate time stamp)

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Wilson, a self-proclaimed Alpha Personality and unabashedly opinionated, deeply religious man, never pulled punches when discussing his strong, personal views on any subject, so me, I, myself have no reason to doubt his word as given.

With less direct evidence to back it up at hand, I did read that Foxx allegedly pulled a switchblade and threatened the director of the telefilm Ghost of a Chance, Don Taylor in 1987. At one point Redd was expected to be seen lying in a coffin and "playing dead" as his character Ivory Clay, who had met with an untimely demise, attended his own funeral in what was to be an ironically comical display. There was some back and forth between the often combative Foxx and Taylor, and finally Taylor said something like, "Oh, boy. Here we go!" and Redd took it as a racial slur. "Who you callin' 'boy'?!"

The mini-fracas was partly covered in an on-set, network interview clip where Redd recounted (paraphrasing a little, here) the setup for the scene. According to Foxx: "Director patted the lid and said, 'This'll be nice and comfy. Good for your back.'"

"Not mine!" Redd continued. "I ain't gettin' in one of them things until it's absolutely necessary."

Redd did get his way and the scene was changed so that he would not be seen laid out in the box but, rather, pushing it out of the chapel like a pall bearer, lid closed, and mugging a big, silly grin.

As Fred G. Sanford would say, again, "Case closed!"

"That Hollywood Sign, It's A Stick to Conjure Magick" {"Magick" (spelled with a 'k') is a term popularized by Aleister Crowley to differentiate occult, spiritual, or ritual practices from stage magic/illusions.} Demond Wilson

"You cannot make it to the top of that industry without selling your soul" Demond Wilson

His views on Hollyweird and Politics are something I've been reading about for 40 + years, I have no reason to doubt him.

So I'm assuming people at the time still did not get along due to racial divide and of course, I'm assuming people will be saying the N word to black people and the C word to white people.

I bet if one of the audience members had pulled a gun or any weapon in particular, its surprising that their was no security or bodyguard to kick the person out and banned him or her from ever returning to the set while taping before they do any damage to anybody let alone call the cops and arrest them on the spot.

Luckily, this never happened to Flip Wilson and white people loved his show at the time. Of course, The Flip Wilson Show started in 1970 airing two years prior to Sanford and Son starting in 1972 and of course ones a variety show while the other is a sitcom that was based from Britain.

I've been re-watching the Sanford & Son series the last couple weeks and I've seen what looks like, and I mean "looks" like a dwindling studio audience. Wilson claims there would be at least 400 in attendance at a taping, but when the cameras turn around for Steinberg & Son and other game show-type settings? As the series progresses, there seems to be less and less seating space and, of course, for those shows the audience was pre-loaded with stock players, the producers and others close to the whole production rather on purpose.

Maybe they were actively pruning the audiences down as the show gained a following?

Add to the fact that the last 2 seasons seem to rely heavily on a pre-recorded laugh track (listen for the repeated laughs: like, "Ruh-huh-huh-huh!", also heard tons in the follow-up, Sanford. And that annoying, "Hoo-ah, HOO-AH!" as the main stand-outs), hard edits and truly rowdy applause as the leads make entrances (especially right after Redd came back to the show).

Some shows seemed like nothing but pre-recorded laughter and applause (you can tell. Just listen close) and some seem like the audience was too raucous and those shows are riddled with hard edits noticeable in the dialogue, sudden camera angle and actor placement shifts. I think by the last few episodes recorded they had shifted away from a full studio audience, much like All In the Family and later shows like Married.. With Children-- the latter it was oh, so noticeable, as the sound mix and actors' voices got more "intimate". No one "shouted" their lines anymore. It's almost like they sounded self-conscious or something, and the pauses for laughter were often shorter or just plain awkward.

Actually, I can believe they did have some real, mixed nuts lurking around the tapings back in the day. Redd sure would have had a hardcore following with his regular act and ever-present entourage.

So I'm assuming people at the time still did not get along due to racial divide and of course, I'm assuming people will be saying the N word to black people and the C word to white people.

I bet if one of the audience members had pulled a gun or any weapon in particular, its surprising that their was no security or bodyguard to kick the person out and banned him or her from ever returning to the set while taping before they do any damage to anybody let alone call the cops and arrest them on the spot.

Luckily, this never happened to Flip Wilson and white people loved his show at the time. Of course, The Flip Wilson Show started in 1970 airing two years prior to Sanford and Son starting in 1972 and of course ones a variety show while the other is a sitcom that was based from Britain.

As Wilson explained to Jon Aba in the ComedyHype podcast: "I never did an episode when I wasn't strapped. Never! People knew that about me. Redd, too. I had a Derringer." (ComedyHype, Hype+, Jan 1, 2024. 50:00 approximate time stamp)

OzTdqXVX6XQ

Wilson, a self-proclaimed Alpha Personality and unabashedly opinionated, deeply religious man, never pulled punches when discussing his strong, personal views on any subject, so me, I, myself have no reason to doubt his word as given.

I have seen many of his videos giving interviews over the years and as you can see from Youtube video, he have a very "in your face" and defensive attitude. And he even belittle the person that is interviewing him-saying to interviewer that he got a suite in the closet that is older than him. Even a reviewer on Amazon after reading his book Second Banana said and I quote:
"There’s also a sense that Wilson wants the reader to believe that he always has held a “holier than thou” persona."

So with personality like that, anything he said about Redd Foxx, cast or the show I would take with a grain of salt. Like saying Esther was the show drug runner might be a good example :)

You know folks, it's kind of hard to imagine (let alone disturbing as hell) that Aunt Esther, a god-loving, church-going Christian woman being a prostitute and a drug dealer in her early days.

Don't know about being a prostitute or drug dealer, but in her early days she used to work at night clubs as an erotic club dancer dubbed The Bronze Goddess of Fire.

https://www.trend-chaser.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2017/04/009-the-bronze-goddess-of-fire-2151009.jpg

Don't know about being a prostitute or drug dealer, but in her early days she used to work at night clubs as an erotic club dancer dubbed The Bronze Goddess of Fire.

https://www.trend-chaser.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2017/04/009-the-bronze-goddess-of-fire-2151009.jpg

Fred would've really had a heart attack, if he had saw this.

Well PRAISE THE LORD Fred Sanford !

I have seen many of his videos giving interviews over the years and as you can see from Youtube video, he have a very "in your face" and defensive attitude. And he even belittle the person that is interviewing him-saying to interviewer that he got a suite in the closet that is older than him. Even a reviewer on Amazon after reading his book Second Banana said and I quote:
"There’s also a sense that Wilson wants the reader to believe that he always has held a “holier than thou” persona."

So with personality like that, anything he said about Redd Foxx, cast or the show I would take with a grain of salt. Like saying Esther was the show drug runner might be a good example :)

Very valid observation. His assertiveness and alpha tendencies come off as abrasive bravado at times. He could be prickly, but plenty of long-time "Hollywood" veterans exhibit the same brash, world-weary demeanor. And, I think his own persona was changed by being a Vietnam veteran-- something he wasn't, well, exactly proud of, kinda? But still, he came back a reluctant "hero" and apparently faced some backlash from people who weren't so pleased about the war by principle. '

Wilson lamented that many people shunned survivors who came back as tainted, vicious killers and some considered them heroes. I think that confused and confounded him; hence the combative, in-your-face attitude that he brought to the table. Not suffering fools gladly in the Shakespearean sense.

I also get the sense from his book that he really felt betrayed by Redd, who had a habit of jumping ship for the Next Best Thing in His Favor. Wilson looked up to Foxx and it truly broke their friendship when Redd cut off all communication and made arrangements to leave NBC and break up what was, for all intents and purposes, a very finely tuned, lucrative and, yes, groundbreaking comedy team.

Fred would've really had a heart attack, if he had saw this.

Heheheheheh!!!

If Esther knew that picture was being circulated, she would have had her very first Big One!

So, I'm assuming Mr. Wilson had an ego.

So, I'm assuming Mr. Wilson had an ego.

It would seem that he was unabashedly egotistical and highly opinionated by his own words, actions, body language and, ultimately, life choices involving the church.

He could be prickly, but never seemed to go off the rails like some other Hollywood types who would sabotage and end interviews because they didn't like the host's "tone".

I wonder if his ego was brought to his other failed sitcoms Baby ... I'm Back! (1978) and The New Odd Couple {opposite Ron Glass} (1982) and had some differences with the show or his cast members behind-the-scenes.

Being a Black Man in general, going to Viet nam and dealing with the rejection upon return, then dealing with Hollyweird shenanigans surely influenced his later adult behavior.

I'm actually amazed how stabil and though righteous he was

“The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side.” ― Hunter S. Thompson

I wonder if his ego was brought to his other failed sitcoms Baby ... I'm Back! (1978) and The New Odd Couple {opposite Ron Glass} (1982) and had some differences with the show or his cast members behind-the-scenes.

I think you might also add Wilson being type casted (as Lamont) as one of the reasons those shows failed. JJ from Goodtimes also had the same fate as Wilson where after their successful shows, they kind of disappeared or had failed shows. A very good actor or actress probably could have broken typecasting glass ceiling, but sorry to say that Wilson or JJ didn't have it in them.

Being a Black Man in general, going to Viet nam and dealing with the rejection upon return, then dealing with Hollyweird shenanigans surely influenced his later adult behavior.

I'm actually amazed how stabil and though righteous he was.

I don't think Redd Fox treated Wilson fairly on the set and you can see from some of episodes in 6th season that there is a slight animosity between them. He treat Lamont as a cast member rather than a comical buddy team where Fred get all the laughs and Lamont was just there to set up the jokes and being called Dummy once in a while. And Fred quitting the show without telling Lamont probably drove more wedges between them.

https://imgc.allpostersimages.com/img/posters/sanford-and-son-1972_u-L-PJSNHB0.jpg?p=0

I think you might also add Wilson being type casted (as Lamont) as one of the reasons those shows failed. JJ from Goodtimes also had the same fate as Wilson where after their successful shows, they kind of disappeared or had failed shows. A very good actor or actress probably could have broken typecasting glass ceiling, but sorry to say that Wilson or JJ didn't have it in them.

At least Wilson (as Lamont) avoided appearing in the spinoffs Grady, Sanford Arms and Sanford.

At least Wilson (as Lamont) avoided appearing in the spinoffs Grady, Sanford Arms and Sanford.

The suits were determined to morph Sanford & Son into Sanford Arms with Lamont as the lead character by hell or high water. Redd was against it and had already made other plans without Wilson, thus destroying their "partnership", such as it was, and betraying Wilson's trust.

While trying to figure out how to keep S&S going (Wilson had often stated, in hindsight of course, that the show could have successfully coasted for maybe 3 more years all said and done) and how to convice TPTB to leave things alone, Foxx simply turned his back on Wilson. When trying to pick Foxx's brain about what his plans were, he told Demond (as is paraphrased slightly differently but quoted with the voice and all many times over), "Look.. I've told you all I know. Now, just leave me alone. Get outta my (dressing) room and lemme get some rest!"

That was during the 6th and final season of S&S with Redd already having planned his departure and leaving Demond to wrestle with the so-called "demands" of the network, to which he would respond with his own demands which were considered unreasonable and not met.

NBC ended up with all of the set dressing of S&S with Sanford Arms and none of the chemistry that made the original show work. Wilson got his own short-lived series on another network. Redd got a variety show on another network not at all unlike its prime-time predecessors except a bit naughtier-- Flip Wilson, Jackie Gleason, Red Skelton and, to a lesser extent, Carol Burnett whose success derived, arguably, from an ensemble and evolving cast of regulars including Harvey Korman and the ever-reliable and unmatched comic timing of Tim Conway.

By the time Foxx realized his variety show was a mistake it was too late. It got canned and left Redd with an itch to revive the original S&S which, according to Wilson (who would have nothing to do with Redd at that time, understandably), was "stillborn". The reboot started with a shaky premise, heavy promotion and was originally well-received. Audiences dwindled after a scant few episodes and by the time the re-"junked" and re-tooled Sanford hit its second and last season it was already over. NBC scrapped the show mid-way, burning off the last episodes during the Summer of '81 (I think. I ain't researching this. Lulz!!). I think one or two episodes never made it to air in some markets and only got a "premiere" on BET a decade later.

Still, Demond Wilson could never, and I don't think he really did, just play The Victim knowing Redd's volatile temperament and his half-hearted attention span for any one, particular project. But he did understand why Foxx had his hackles up any time he felt like he was being marginalized or cheated-- he made scads of comedy records and barely saw a dime due to (DooTo pun unintended, sorta. That was the name of the record company that put out Redd's party record series. The sour record deal subject was brought up on The Tonight Show at least once) bad deals and bootlegging.

By the time Demond has his last meeting with Redd in the early 80's, Post-Sanford, to basically warn him about a dubious "reunion" special for which the pair would both be screwed by financially, he had forgiven Redd. Thing is, they would never speak, again.

Of that end, I think neither had any regrets. Even if Redd had survived and The Royal Family took off, I don't think their paths would have crossed again. They had both moved on.

If I'm not mistaken, Redd was also never know to "balance his checkbook" sorta speak.

Redd Foxx, despite his immense success and high earnings (reportedly up to \(\$4\) million in a single year), faced severe, long-term financial and tax issues that resulted in his death in 1991 without substantial assets.

Massive Debt: By 1989, Foxx owed the IRS roughly \(\$996,630\)

On November 28, 1989, IRS agents raided his Las Vegas home, seizing the property and over 300 items, including seven vehicles (a 1927 Model T, a 1975 Panther J72, a 1983 Zimmer, and a Vespa).

Foxx filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1983, claiming he owed over \(\$1.6\) million to the IRS and other creditors, with proceedings continuing through at least 1989

Who was the worst spender of all time: Redd Foxx or MC Hammer?

Who was the worst spender of all time: Redd Foxx or MC Hammer?

Between the two, I'd say The Hammer had a worse case of The Spends. Seems he was spending something like $10-20 mil annually at the top of his fame but only worth about $1 mil by income. A scorching case of affluenza sent him rocketing to the poor house.

Redd was known to throw cash around for well over a decade and made some really bad investments such as the "flocked" car company: Have your brand new, $15,000 Cadillac covered in glued-on cloth that you don't have to wash, just brush occasionally. Well, what happens in the rain or when the sun damages it? What about the value of the car after it has been defaced?

But Foxx's financial downfall ultimately came from bad management, bad money management, and attempts to game the system when it came to claiming income. He simply couldn't hide the fact that his shows pulled in lots of dough. He had, what-- 2 highly lucrative HBO specials in the late 70's, did a couple of home video concert releases and had records released under big labels like Atlantic for real paychecks as opposed to the fly-by-nite deals for his early records (which changed hands so many times the paper trail was simply lost by 1976 leaving unscrupulous types to claim public domain, if lore is to be believed).

Hiding wealth in plain sight wasn't something Foxx could pull off. Even retreating to his very austere and unassuming-looking-on-the-outside Nevada dwelling was barely a disguise for his lavish way of living.

Handing money over to hard luck cases among his friends and entourage put Redd in a bad place. . . He became the go-to guy for handouts and he simply couldn't turn down a friend in need. It would seem that avenue only went one way, though, with most everyone except LaWanda Page who, when Redd was in desperate need of some cash to pacify the IRS collectors before The Big Siege, gave him something along the lines of 4-grand to pacify the creditors.

I wish I could find the interview that Page and Whitman Mayo gave to BET after Redd's passing. Some of this topic was touched on and both actors had plenty of anecdotes to illustrate the difficult time Redd had in his last years.

Back on topic, with drugs being behind-the-scenes of the show, it's surprising that nobody including Wilson had OD'd at the time.