Redd Foxx, born John Elroy Sanford, was a pioneering African American comedian renowned for his groundbreaking work in stand-up comedy and television. Rising to prominence in the mid-20th century, Foxx became known for his brash humor, ribald jokes, and unapologetic social commentary. He broke barriers with his frank discussions of race, sex, and politics, challenging societal norms of the time. Foxx is best remembered for his role as Fred G. Sanford in the classic sitcom “Sanford and Son,” where his portrayal of a cantankerous junk dealer endeared him to audiences and earned him widespread acclaim. His comedic style, marked by his gravelly voice and sharp wit, influenced generations of comedians and remains influential today. Foxx’s legacy extends beyond comedy, as he played a pivotal role in paving the way for African American entertainers in mainstream media, leaving an indelible mark on American culture.

Redd Foxx Quotes

1. “Beauty may be skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone.”
— Redd Foxx

2. “Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.”
— Redd Foxx

3. “The definition of indecent – when it’s in long, and it’s in hard, and it’s in deep – it’s in decent.”
— Redd Foxx

4. “You make me wish that birth control was retroactive.”
— Redd Foxx

5. “Sanford and Son is more than just a name. It’s a condition, a dynasty, an empire. This here is the finest pile of junk of the world.”
— Redd Foxx

6. “This is the big one! You hear that, Elizabeth? I’m coming to join ya, honey!”
— Redd Foxx

7. “Hey! Leave the door open will ya? The flies haven’t been out all day.”
— Redd Foxx

8. “I feel sorry for people who don’t drink or do drugs. Because someday they’re going to be in a hospital bed, dying, and they won’t know why.”
— Redd Foxx

9. “I’m convinced that Sanford and Son shows middle-class America a lot of what they need to know.”
— Redd Foxx

10. “What’s the difference between a pickpocket and a peeping tom? A pickpocket snatches watches.”
— Redd Foxx

11. “Junk runs in the family. My granddad was a junk man in St. Louis and so was my uncle.”
— Redd Foxx

12. “What’s an archive, son? Is that anything like a closet?”
— Redd Foxx

13. “Certain things should be yours to have when you work your way to the top.”
— Redd Foxx

14. “The show doesn’t drive home a lesson, but it can open up people’s minds enough for them to see how stupid every kind of prejudice can be.”
— Redd Foxx

15. “I’ve been trying to get into the Royal Box in New York for years. They say I’m too dirty, my material is too blue. But I think Redd, the whites and blue can be a nice combination.”
— Redd Foxx

16. “The food here is so tasteless you could eat a meal of it and belch and it wouldn’t remind you of anything.”
— Redd Foxx

17. “I ain’t from Africa. I’m from St. Louis.”
— Redd Foxx

18. “I carry a knife now because I read in a white magazine that all black people carry knives. So I rushed out and bought me one.”
— Redd Foxx

19. “It’s some chopped liver. That’s Jewish soul food.”
— Redd Foxx

20. “Music played a large role in the survival of the black people in America – that and a sense of humor that just couldn’t be enslaved.”
— Redd Foxx