Original, gravel-voiced "dirty old man" comedian who, in the 1950s, was known to a limited audience for his x-rated standup material and under-the-counter recordings. Foxx became a household name, however, with his starring role as Fred G. Sanford (the name derived from his own real name), an irascible, scheming junkman, in the popular TV series "Sanford and Son" (1972-77). He went on to appear in the films "Cotton Comes to Harlem" (1970), "Norman... Is That You?" (1976) and "Harlem Nights" (1989), but died of a heart attack in 1991 after collapsing during a rehearsal of his TV comeback
Ran away from home at age 13 and joined a street-corner washboard band
1938
Hopped a freight train to New York with his band; changed his name to Redd Foxx (from his red hair and Foxx from his stylish ways and the spelling of slugger Jimmie Foxx's name)
1939
Member of amateur musical group the Bon Bons, Chicago
Did a short time in jail at Rikers Island for heisting a bottle of milk
