No Heart Attacks, Please, but "Sanford and Son" is Turning 40!

Based on the BBC's Steptoe and Son, Sanford and Son is the creation of producers Bud Yorkin and Norman Lear. Comedian Redd Foxx starred as widower and junk dealer, "Fred G. Sanford," an Archie Bunker-type curmudgeon, Demond Wilson played his grown son, "Lamont," and the two lived together and ran the family business in South Central L.A. Fred's wife had passed away decades before, and his trademark move on the program was to feign a heart attack, grab his chest, and call out, "I'm coming to join you, Elizabeth!" The show aired on NBC from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977.

The Archive is honored to have interviewed many of the talented individuals involved with Sanford and Son. Co-creator Norman Lear described to us how he cast the show:

Musician and producer Quincy Jones shared how he composed the show's theme song:

And actor Pat Morita discussed playing Sanford and Son's "Ah Chew:"

Learn more about Sanford and Son at our show page.

Watch the intro to Sanford and Son:

- Adrienne Faillace