Mary Sanford Carson: Legacy of Redd Foxx’s Mother

Who Was Mary Sanford Carson?

Full Name: Mary Alma Hughes Carson (née Sanford) Born: February 18, 1903, Ellisville, Mississippi Died: March 12, 1993, Las Vegas, Nevada Burial: Palm Memorial Park, Las Vegas Parents: Helen Reid and an unidentified father Spouse: Fred “Freddie” Sanford (1897–1944) Children: Redd Foxx (John Elroy Sanford), Fred Glenn “Fate” Carson Jr., Margaret “Peggy” Carson, Leonard “Lee” Carson

Early Life & Family

Mary Sanford Carson was born in the Deep South in the early 1900s, a time when African Americans suffered systemic problems. Mary showed amazing strength and a desire to make her family’s lives better, even though she went through a lot of bad times. She married Fred Sanford, and they had three kids together: Fred Glenn “Fate” Carson Jr., Margaret “Peggy” Carson, and Leonard “Lee” Carson. Later, she had a son named John Elroy Sanford, who would grow up to be the famous comedian Redd Foxx.

Motherhood & Influence on Redd Foxx

Mary was an important part of Redd Foxx’s life as a mother and as a constant source of support. She helped him build his character and profession by giving him advice as he dealt with the problems of the entertainment industry. Mary told Jet Magazine in 1980 that her son was compassionate and generous, which was a side of Redd Foxx that wasn’t always shown in public.

Later Years & Legacy

Mary Sanford Carson died in 1993, after her renowned son had already died. Even though her efforts were typically in the background, they were a big part of Redd Foxx’s rise to fame as one of America’s most famous comedians. People still feel her legacy through the lasting effect her son has had on humour and entertainment.

Family Overview

Fred Sanford (Husband)

• Full Name: Fred “Freddie” Sanford
• Born: 1897, Hickman, Kentucky
• Died: 1944
• Profession: Electrician and auto mechanic; served in World War I
• Role: Father of Redd Foxx and his siblings

Redd Foxx (Son)

• Real Name: John Elroy Sanford
• Born: December 9, 1922, St. Louis, Missouri
• Died: October 11, 1991, Los Angeles, California
• Profession: Comedian and actor
• Notable Works: Starred in the television sitcom Sanford and Son
• Marriages: Married four times; had no biological children but adopted Debraca Denise

Debraca Denise (Granddaughter)

• Born: Unknown
• Relationship: Adopted daughter of Redd Foxx and Betty Jean Harris
• Profession: Actress; appeared in Sanford and Son and Sanford
• Current Status: Last known appearance in the documentary series Unsung Hollywood in 2015

Net Worth & Financial Legacy

There isn’t much information on Mary Sanford Carson’s finances. Later in life, though, her son Redd Foxx had a lot of trouble with money. Foxx had tax problems and became bankrupt in 1983, even though he made millions of dollars during his career. He was said to owe more than $3.6 million in taxes at the time of his death, which shows how complicated money can be in the entertainment business.

Recent News & Public Recognition

Many biographies and retrospectives have talked about how Mary Sanford Carson helped her son succeed. Talks about Redd Foxx’s life and career have focused on her role as a supporting mother, which shows how important family support is for famous personalities.

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