Inside Demond Wilson’s life storyand career journey, including family and recent updates
Demond Wilson is an American minister, author, and actor best known for his role as Lamont Sanford in the popular 1970s television sitcom Sanford and Son. His career as a Hollywood actor was thriving when he suddenly transitioned to evangelism. Let's take a look inside Demond Wilson's life and how he became an ordained preacher.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Profile summary
- Demond Wilson’s life story
- How old is Demond Wilson today?
- Career
- Media appearances as an ordained pastor
- What happened to Demond Wilson?
- How rich is Demond Wilson?
- Who is Demond Wilson's wife?
- How many children does Demond Wilson have?
- Is Demond Wilson still alive?
- Where is Demond Wilson now?
- How tall is Demond Wilson?
- Is Demond Wilson in a wheelchair?
- Fast facts
Key takeaways
- Demond Wilson, known for his acting career, has authored multiple Christian books that address his concerns about the New Age Movement.
- He portrayed Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. Initially, Johnny Brown was considered for the part, but Wilson ultimately won it due to Brown's commitment to Laugh-In.
- Wilson is married to Cicely Johnston. They have been blessed with six children: Nicole, Melissa, Sarah, Christopher, Demond Jr., and Louise.
Profile summary
| Full name | Grady Demond Wilson |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 13 October 1946 |
| Age | 76 years (as of September 2023) |
| Zodiac sign | Libra |
| Place of birth | Valdosta, Georgia, United States |
| Current residence | New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | African-American |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Sexuality | Straight |
| Height | 5'9" (176 cm) |
| Weight | 191 lbs (87 kgs) |
| Hair colour | Black |
| Eye colour | Black |
| Marital status | Married |
| Partner | Cicely Johnston |
| Children | 6 |
| Profession | Actor and author |
| Net worth | $2.5 million |
Demond Wilson’s life story
Grady Demond Wilson was born on 13 October 1946 in Valdosta, Georgia, United States, but was brought up in New York City. He would often visit his Pentecostal grandmother in Georgia over the summer holidays.
Source: Original
He grew up in a staunch Catholic home. He took part in church activities as a child and served as an altar boy. At the time, he contemplated becoming a Catholic priest.
How old is Demond Wilson today?
As of September 2025, the renowned pastor is 78 years old. His zodiac sign is Libra.
Source: Getty Images
Career
Wilson began performing on Broadway at the age of four. By twelve, he was dancing at Harlem's legendary Apollo Theater. However, at thirteen, he faced a serious challenge when his appendix ruptured, endangering his life.
This life-altering experience instilled in him a profound commitment to serve God in a ministerial capacity as an adult. In 1966, he embarked on a different path by enlisting in the United States Army.
He served in the 4th Infantry Division until 1968, when he sustained injuries during his service in Vietnam. After his recovery, Wilson found his way back to Broadway, gracing the stage with his presence in several films and TV series. He also ventured into off-stage productions for a time.
Demond Wilson on Sanford and Son
Demond secured the role of Lamont Sanford in the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. Initially, Johnny Brown was considered for the part, but Wilson ultimately won it due to Brown's commitment to Laugh-In.
Throughout the series' duration, Wilson portrayed Lamont and eventually became the central figure when Redd Foxx temporarily left the show in 1974 due to a salary dispute with the producers.
Foxx returned the following year, and the two actors continued working together until the show's cancellation in 1977. In 1980-1981, Foxx attempted to revive the show with the short-lived sitcom Sanford, but Wilson declined to reprise his role for the new series.
Demond Wilson's films and TV shows
Below is a list of Demond Wilson's films and TV shows according to his IMDb profile.
| Year | Movies/TV shows | Role |
| 2023 | Eleanor's Bench | Isaac |
| 2004-2005 | Girlfriends | Kenneth Miles |
| 2000 | Hammerlock | Morgan Rivers |
| 1993 | Me and the Kid | Agent Schamper |
| 1982-1983 | The New Odd Couple | Oscar Madison |
| 1981 | Today's F.B.I. | Leon |
| 1981 | Full Moon High | Cabbie-Busdriver |
| 1981 | The Love Boat | Bart |
| 1977-1978 | Baby... I'm Back! | Raymond Ellis |
| 1972-1977 | Sanford and Son | Lamont Sanford |
| 1974 | Amazing Grace | Man in First Pew in Church (uncredited) |
| 1972 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In | Guest Performer |
| 1972 | Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues | Rupert |
| 1971 | The Organization | Charlie Blossom |
| 1971 | Mission: Impossible | Simmons |
| 1971 | All in the Family | Horace |
| 1970 | Cotton Comes to Harlem | Rally Attendant (uncredited) |
Media appearances as an ordained pastor
Over the years, Demond has appeared in the show Praise the Lord on Trinity Broadcasting Network alongside Clifton Davis. He has been preaching and encouraging people to become good Christians in these special appearances.
He often refers to his past life during preaching and uses his experiences to motivate people. In 2011, he was cast alongside Nina Nicole in the play The Measure of a Man by Matt Hardwick. The play is set in South Georgia and is categorised as a faith-based creation.
What happened to Demond Wilson?
Demond Wilson took a break from acting in 2005 but returned in 2023 with a role in the TV show Eleanor's Bench. Today, he's fit and has written three books, one of them called Second Banana: The Bittersweet Memoirs Of The Sanford And Son Years.
How rich is Demond Wilson?
According to Reality Tea, Demond Wilson's net worth is approximately $2.5 million.
Who is Demond Wilson's wife?
Wilson is married to Cicely Johnston. The couple married on 3 May 1974 and have been together for over four decades.
How many children does Demond Wilson have?
Demond Wilson and Cicely Johnston have been blessed with six children: Nicole, Melissa, Sarah, Christopher, Demond Jr., and Louise.
Source: Getty Images
Is Demond Wilson still alive?
The American actor is still alive. Rumours of Demond Wilson's death began floating in the media after his exit from the public eye.
Demond asserts that his exit from the limelight allowed him to reconnect with his family and develop his character as a reformed creature.
Where is Demond Wilson now?
Since he was ordained as an interdenominational preacher in 1985, Wilson has been on the gospel circuit. He has also appeared in some commercials and founded Restoration House of America. This centre near Lynchburg, Virginia, has helped rehabilitate prison inmates since 1994.
How tall is Demond Wilson?
Demond Wilson's height is 5 feet 9 inches (176 centimetres), and his weight is 191 pounds (87 kilograms). Demond has black hair and eyes.
Is Demond Wilson in a wheelchair?
No, the Demond Wilson is not in a wheelchair. As per reports, Demond Wilson's health is in good condition.
Fast facts
- Demond Wilson studied tap dance and ballet.
- He served as an altar boy.
- He is a good friend of Clifton Davis.
- Wilson is a veteran of the United States Army.
Demond Wilson’s life story is an inspiring tale and a true testament of hard work and dedication. He is famous for his role in Sanford and Son. Today, he is a seasoned preacher. He continues to impact the world as a Christian and preacher. And there you have it,
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