Actor
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Key moments and achievements from Grady Wilson's life.
Grady was born
· Palm Springs, California, USA
Career Beginning
Demond Wilson made his Broadway debut at age four and danced at Harlem's Apollo Theater at age 12. Born in Valdosta, Georgia on October 13, 1946, he grew up in New York City where he studied tap dance and ballet from an early age.
Career Beginning
Demond Wilson made his Broadway debut at age four and danced at Harlem's Apollo Theater at age 12. Born in Valdosta, Georgia on October 13, 1946, he grew up in New York City where he studied tap dance and ballet from an early age.
Military Service
Wilson served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 in the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat. His military service preceded his breakthrough acting career and informed the depth of his later performances.
Military Service
Wilson served in the United States Army from 1966 to 1968 in the 4th Infantry Division in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat. His military service preceded his breakthrough acting career and informed the depth of his later performances.
Career Breakthrough
In 1972, Wilson was cast as Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom "Sanford and Son" alongside Redd Foxx. The show ran until 1977 and made Wilson one of the most recognizable actors on American television. He effectively became the show's star when Foxx walked off in 1974 over a salary dispute.
Career Breakthrough
In 1972, Wilson was cast as Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom "Sanford and Son" alongside Redd Foxx. The show ran until 1977 and made Wilson one of the most recognizable actors on American television. He effectively became the show's star when Foxx walked off in 1974 over a salary dispute.
Television Role
Wilson later starred as Oscar Madison in the ABC sitcom "The New Odd Couple" opposite Ron Glass as Felix Ungar. He also starred as Raymond Ellis in "Baby... I'm Back!" on CBS, continuing his television career after Sanford and Son.
Television Role
Wilson later starred as Oscar Madison in the ABC sitcom "The New Odd Couple" opposite Ron Glass as Felix Ungar. He also starred as Raymond Ellis in "Baby... I'm Back!" on CBS, continuing his television career after Sanford and Son.
Ministry Career
In 1984, Wilson was ordained as a minister in the Church of God in Christ and became an active Christian evangelist. He wrote several Christian books and published his memoir "Second Banana: The Bittersweet Memoirs of the Sanford and Son Years" in 2009.
Ministry Career
In 1984, Wilson was ordained as a minister in the Church of God in Christ and became an active Christian evangelist. He wrote several Christian books and published his memoir "Second Banana: The Bittersweet Memoirs of the Sanford and Son Years" in 2009.
Grady Wilson passed away
