https://www.tmz.com/2026/01/31/grady-demond-wilson-dead-sanford-and-son/
That was a great show I remember watching when I was a kid going up in the '70s on the good ol TV
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Grady -- who went by Demond Wilson professionally -- starred on "Sanford and Son" between 1972 and 1977 and then went on to play Raymond Ellis on the one season of "Baby... I'm Back!" He landed a starring role in "The New Odd Couple" as well, which lasted for a season in the early '80s..."
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The article does not talk about it, but he became a church leader and was outspoken about having a relationship with Jesus Christ, and a big part of his ministry career was helping prisoners come to know the Way The Truth And The Life, much more important than his acting career
"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" — Mark 8:36
Demond Wilson's spiritual life was not a late publicity move — it was a profound turning point that reshaped his identity.
After Sanford and Son ended, Wilson gradually became disillusioned with Hollywood. In interviews over the years, he said the lifestyle, the pressures, and what he saw behind the scenes deeply troubled him.
He had been raised in the church and had experienced what he described as a near-death experience earlier in life (he was reportedly seriously injured as a child and believed God spared him for a purpose). That sense of divine preservation stayed with him.
In 1984, Wilson became an ordained minister. He founded Restoration House of America, a ministry focused on helping former inmates transition back into society.
This was not symbolic — he was actively involved in prison ministry and rehabilitation efforts, particularly in California. He spoke about wanting to reach men who felt discarded and to offer spiritual renewal and practical support.
He also wrote several Christian books in the 1990s and 2000s. Some of his writings moved into controversial territory — including strong warnings about spiritual deception, what he believed were occult influences in entertainment, and apocalyptic themes.
He believed Hollywood had deep moral corruption and that Christians should be spiritually vigilant. Whether one agrees with all his conclusions or not, his convictions were clearly sincere and rooted in his understanding of Scripture.
Wilson largely stepped away from mainstream acting for nearly two decades, saying he felt called to ministry instead. That decision cost him industry visibility and likely financial opportunities, but he consistently framed it as obedience rather than sacrifice. He often emphasized that fame was temporary, but eternity was not.
For someone remembered primarily as Lamont Sanford — quick-witted, sarcastic, grounded — it's notable that he saw his life's second half as his real mission. In interviews, he spoke openly about salvation, repentance, and the authority of Christ. He did not present faith as a cultural label but as a life-altering commitment.
His path reflects a pattern we've seen before: public success followed by spiritual reckoning, then withdrawal from celebrity life in favor of ministry. Whether one views that as radical or natural, it was consistent with his stated belief that God preserved him for more than television.
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