Demond Wilson

Playing straight man to a comedy legend like Redd Foxx would have seemed an unenviable task for most actors, but Demond Wilson rose to the occasion as the short-tempered Lamont Sanford on the hit sitcom "Sanford and Son" (NBC, 1971-77). Though Lamont's role was largely defined by reactions to his father's outlandish behavior, Wilson had a dry delivery and a solid presence that made him the ideal candidate for the job. His turn as Lamont was the apex of his acting career, as all subsequent efforts faded into obscurity, leading Wilson to turn to religion, becoming an ordained minister in 1984. However, his timeless work on "Sanford" remained a favorite among the rerun faithful for decades, ensuring his small screen immortality.