Redd Foxx

October 11, 1991 - Comedian and actor, Redd Foxx, died on this day. Foxx was one of the most influential comedians of all time. He got his big break on the nightclub circuit with a raunchy routine that was extremely popular from coast to coast.

He is most remembered for his starring role on the very successful sitcom, Sanford and Son, which ran for six seasons. One of his schticks was to clutch his chest and feign a heart attack saying, “It’s the big one. I’m coming to join you, Elizabeth!”

Ironically, it was many years later on the set of The Royal Family that he had a real heart attack. Some of his co-stars thought he was just kidding around when he fell to the ground. He died that night.