Demond Wilson is an American minister, author, and actor best known for his role as Lamont Sanford on the popular 1970s television sitcom Sanford and Son. His career as a Hollywood actor was thriving when he suddenly changed direction and became an ordained evangelist. This unusual move surprised many people. What has happened since the dramatic change?
Demond Wilson, known for his acting career, is the author of many Christian books that address his interests in the New Age Movement. Here’s everything you need to know about his life.
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Biography of Demond Wilson
Grady Demond Wilson was born on October 13, 1946 in Valdosta, Georgia, United States, but grew up in New York City. He often visited his Pentecostal grandmother in Georgia during summer vacation. He grew up in a staunch Catholic family. He participated in church activities as a child and served as an altar boy. At that time, he planned to become a Catholic priest.
How old is Demond Wilson today?
As of September 2023, Demond Wilson is 76 years old. His zodiac sign is Libra.
Career
Wilson took his first steps on Broadway when he was just 4 years old. At age 12, he was dancing at Harlem’s famous Apollo Theater. However, at the age of thirteen, adversity struck when Wilson suffered a ruptured appendix, putting his life in danger. This life-changing experience instilled in him a deep commitment to serve God in a pastoral capacity as an adult. In 1966, he embarked on a different path when he joined the United States Army.
He served in the 4th Infantry Division until 1968 when he was injured while serving in Vietnam. After his recovery, Wilson found his way back to Broadway, appearing on stage in several films and television series. He also ventured into off-Broadway productions for a while.
Demond Wilson in Sanford and Son
Demond took on the role of Lamont Sanford on the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. Initially, Johnny Brown was considered for the role, but Wilson ultimately won out due to Brown’s commitment to Laugh-In. Throughout the series’ run, Wilson played Lamont and eventually became the central character when Redd Foxx temporarily left the show in 1974 due to a salary dispute with producers. Foxx returned the following year, and the two actors continued to work together until the series was canceled in 1977. In 1980-1981, Foxx attempted to revive the series with the short-lived sitcom Sanford, but Wilson refused. refused to reprise his role for the new series.
Appeared in the media as an ordained minister
Over the years, Demond has appeared on the show Praise the Lord on the Trinity Broadcasting Network with Clifton Davis. He preached and encouraged people to be good Christians during these special appearances.
He often mentioned his past life while preaching and used his experiences to motivate people. In 2011, he was cast opposite Nina Nicole in Matt Hardwick’s play The Measure of a Man. The play is set in South Georgia and is classified as a faith-based work.
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 is healthy and has written three books, one of which is called The Second Banana: A Bittersweet Memoir 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 was married to Cicely Johnston. The couple married on May 3, 1974 and have been together for more than four decades. Demond and Cicely Johnston had six children: Nicole, Melissa, Sarah, Christopher, Demond Jr. and Louise.
Is Demond Wilson still alive?
The American actor is still alive. Rumors about Demond Wilson’s death began circulating in the media after he left the public eye. Demond asserts that escaping the spotlight allowed him to reconnect with his family and develop his character as a reformed being.
Where is Demond Wilson now?
Since being ordained as an interdenominational missionary in 1985, Wilson has been involved in gospel evangelism. He has also appeared in several commercials and founded Restoration House of America. This center near Lynchburg, Virginia has been helping rehabilitate prisoners since 1994.
