Demond Wilson’s biography: age, net worth, wife, children, death rumors

Demond Wilson’s biography: age, net worth, wife, children, death rumors

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 changed gears and became an ordained preacher. This unusual move surprised many people. What has been upto since the significant shift?

Demond Wilson
Demond Wilson attends the Chiller Theater Expo at Parsippany Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey. Photo: Bobby Bank/WireImage
Source: UGC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Demond Wilson, known for his acting career, has authored multiple Christian books that address his concerns about the New Age Movement. Here is everything you need to know about his life.

Profile summary

Full nameGrady Demond Wilson
GenderMale
Date of birth13 October 1946
Age76 years (as of September 2023)
Zodiac signLibra
Place of birthValdosta, Georgia, United States
Current residenceNew York, United States
NationalityAmerican
EthnicityAfrican-American
ReligionChristianity
SexualityStraight
Height 5'9" (176 cm)
Weight191 lbs (87 kgs)
Hair colourBlack
Eye colourBlack
Marital statusMarried
PartnerCicely Johnston
Children6
ProfessionActor and author
Net worth$2.5 million

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Demond Wilson's biography

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.

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 2023, Demond Wilson's age is 76 years old. His zodiac sign is Libra.

where is demond wilson now
From (L-R) Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, Demond Wilson as Lamont Sanford. Photo: NBCU Photo Bank
Source: Getty Images

Career

Wilson took his first steps onto Broadway at the tender age of four. By the time he was twelve, he was dancing at Harlem's renowned Apollo Theater. However, at the age of thirteen, adversity struck when Wilson's appendix ruptured, putting his life in jeopardy.

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.

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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.

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Demond Wilson's films and TV shows

Below is a list of Demond Wilson's films and TV shows according to his IMDb profile.

YearMovies/TV showsRole
2023Eleanor's BenchIsaac
2004-2005GirlfriendsKenneth Miles
2000HammerlockMorgan Rivers
1993Me and the KidAgent Schamper
1982-1983The New Odd CoupleOscar Madison
1981Today's F.B.I.Leon
1981Full Moon HighCabbie-Busdriver
1981The Love BoatBart
1977-1978Baby... I'm Back!Raymond Ellis
1972-1977Sanford and SonLamont Sanford
1974Amazing GraceMan in First Pew in Church (uncredited)
1972Rowan & Martin's Laugh-InGuest Performer
1972Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag BluesRupert
1971The OrganizationCharlie Blossom
1971Mission: ImpossibleSimmons
1971All in the FamilyHorace
1970Cotton Comes to HarlemRally 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.

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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.

What is Demond Wilson's net worth?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, 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. Demond and Cicely Johnston have been blessed with six children: Nicole, Melissa, Sarah, Christopher, Demond Jr., and Louise.

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what happened to demond wilson
From (L-R) Redd Foxx as Fred G. Sanford, Demond Wilson as Lamont Sanford. Photo: NBCU Photo Bank
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.

Fast facts

Here are quick known facts about Demond Wilson.

  • He studied tap dance and ballet.
  • He served as an altar boy.
  • He is a good friend of Clifton Davis.

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Demond Wilson 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.

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Lucy Zawadi Lucy Zawadi is a charismatic reporter with two years experience in creating content. She enjoys keeping up with pop culture, singing, cooking, baking, and jewellery making. Just like Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge, Lucy believes that ‘No human is limited’. Email: lucyluciana832@gmail.com

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Jackline Wangare (Lifestyle writer) Jackline Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng, where she has worked since mid-2021. She tackles diverse topics, including finance, entertainment, sports, and lifestyle. Previously, she worked at The Campanile by Kenyatta University. She has more than five years in writing. Jackline graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics (2019) and a Diploma in Marketing (2015) from Kenyatta University. In 2023, Jackline finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques and Google News Initiative course in 2024. Email: simwajackie2022@gmail.com.