Redd Foxx's Ironic Death

[Brian Damage]

On October 11, 1991 (just a month after the first episode aired), Redd Foxx had a massive heart attack during rehearsals. At first the cast and crew laughed at him, they thought he was joking around, doing his "I'm coming Elizabeth" shtick from 'Sanford and Son'.

It quickly became apparent that this was no joke, but still no one on the set was willing to immediately help the comedian as he lay dying. No member of the crew wanted to risk his job and be known as the person who injured the star of the show.


Della Reese (later the star of CBS's 'Touched by an Angel') prayed over him and begged, "Don't die Redd, don't die!" - but it was to no avail. Reese performed the funeral service in Las Vegas, attended by Flip Wilson, Lola Falana, and most of Foxx's cronies from his nightclub and television years. (Notably missing: Demond Wilson.)

The death was written into the show, and Redd Foxx was replaced by Jackee ('227'). 'The Royal Family' only ran for another three months.


http://www.tvparty.com/mysfoxx3.html

[MIKEPR]

Does that mean they didn't even call for an ambulance?

[PracTz]

Originally Posted by MIKEPR

Does that mean they didn't even call for an ambulance?

I think they did upon Miss Reese's urging. He DID survive to make it to the hospital where he soon was pronounced dead. Miss Reese would claim that virtually as soon as the doctors told his last wife the news, one of the producers of 'Royal Family' immediately asked right in front of the new widow, 'So what are we going to do about the script?'

[TMC]

I don't want this to come across as victim shaming but in all honesty, it's sort of surprising that Redd made it 68 years of age considering that he was a chain smoker and dabbled in cocaine.

[MIKEPR]

Think we all know this.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

On October 11, 1991 (just a month after the first episode aired), Redd Foxx had a massive heart attack during rehearsals. At first the cast and crew laughed at him, they thought he was joking around, doing his "I'm coming Elizabeth" shtick from 'Sanford and Son'.

It quickly became apparent that this was no joke, but still no one on the set was willing to immediately help the comedian as he lay dying. No member of the crew wanted to risk his job and be known as the person who injured the star of the show.


Della Reese (later the star of CBS's 'Touched by an Angel') prayed over him and begged, "Don't die Redd, don't die!" - but it was to no avail. Reese performed the funeral service in Las Vegas, attended by Flip Wilson, Lola Falana, and most of Foxx's cronies from his nightclub and television years. (Notably missing: Demond Wilson.)

The death was written into the show, and Redd Foxx was replaced by Jackee ('227'). 'The Royal Family' only ran for another three months.


http://www.tvparty.com/mysfoxx3.html

There was major tension on The Royal Family between Redd Fox and at least one or more of producers. Della Reese tells how those "suits" disrespected and otherwise tried to treat Redd Foxx as if he didn't count. In other words, they were in charge of things and he was to toe the line.

Della Reese particularly lays out the day Redd Fox had a heart attack on set and events that followed. Long story short, barely had doctors in hospital told Mrs. Redd Fox, Della Reese and the "suits" that Redd was dead, the producers started going on about "what are we going to do now?"

[TJ]

They were able to revive him on the set.

His Heart Attack on set - The crew thought he was FAKING his heart attack.

His death and funeral and burial in Las Vegas & Eddie Murphy paid for his grave.

Redd Foxx died TWICE - They thought he was FAKING