Redd Foxx, born John Elroy Sanford on December 9, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri, rose from modest beginnings to become a standout comedian and actor. His early life was marked by a restless ambition to break into show business, starting with his days as a street musician. He recalled performing on street corners with groups like The Four Hep Cats and The Five Bon-Bons, named whimsically after little chocolates. In 1939, Foxx drifted to Newark, New Jersey, where he spent a decade striving to establish a career. During these years, he faced numerous challenges, including stints of petty crime that landed him briefly on Rikers Island for incidents such as stealing a bottle of milk. His attempts to transition into music saw him recording songs like "Let's Wiggle a Little Woogie" in 1946, though it was comedy that eventually provided him with a sustainable career. The 1950s brought more consistent comedy work, as Foxx teamed with fellow comedian Slappy White before striking out on his own. His rough-edged humor, characterized by risqué stories and sharp, streetwise commentary, began to resonate with audiences. Renaming himself Redd Foxx—spelling it with a "double d, double cross to avoid being just a color or an animal"—he released a series of "adults only" comedy albums on the Dooto label. Despite his humor being too racy for mainstream white record stores, Foxx gradually found crossover appeal, particularly when he seized his first major television opportunity with a spot on "The Today Show" in 1958. Throughout the 1960s, he made guest appearances on several sitcoms and continued to release numerous comedy records, all while running his own nightclub in Los Angeles. Foxx hit television gold in 1971 with the role of Fred Sanford in "Sanford and Son," which catapulted him to stardom. The series, a groundbreaking sitcom featuring earthy, realistic black characters, became a hit among black and white viewers alike. Alongside actors like Slappy White and LaWanda Page, Foxx's portrayal of a cantankerous junk dealer won over audiences, despite criticism from some quarters that it perpetuated stereotypes. Known for his insistence on authenticity, Foxx often improvised during filming; when challenged by a network executive on his qualifications to judge scripts, he famously retorted, "I've been black longer than anybody here." The show's success, however, was accompanied by Foxx's growing sense of frustration with the lack of industry recognition, which led him to leave the series for the ill-fated "The Redd Foxx Show" and an unsuccessful film debut in "Norman... Is That You?" After these setbacks, Foxx returned to his comedy roots, performing in nightclubs. Personal and financial troubles shadowed him in the 1980s, including a costly divorce, bankruptcy, and a significant tax debt that resulted in IRS actions against him. Despite these challenges, Foxx showed resilience by seeking new opportunities and rekindling his passion for the entertainment industry. In 1991, Foxx attempted a television comeback with the sitcom "Royal Family," a show that required him to soften his famously gruff persona. Unfortunately, while rehearsing for the series, Foxx suffered a heart attack and passed away on October 11, 1991, at the age of 68. Redd Foxx's legacy endures in the pioneering role he played in breaking racial barriers on television and in comedy, his distinctive humor continuing to influence generations of performers. Foxx's life and career were emblematic of both the struggles and successes inherent in a lifetime dedicated to entertaining others.