Demond Wilson, best known for playing Lamont on the 1970s
sitcom “Sanford and Son,” died Friday from complications of
cancer at his home in Palm Springs, California.
In 1984 Wilson was ordained as a minister in the Church of
God in Christ and was an active Christian evangelist for
much of his adult life.
Sanford and Son (1972–1977) on NBC.
Stars Demond Wilson and Redd Foxx.
On the evening of October 3, 1961, a future television classic
called “The Dick Van Dyke Show” debuted on CBS.
The sitcom’s inaugural episode—which revolves around the
lead couple bickering over leaving sick son, Ritchie, with a
babysitter while they go to a party—kicked off a beloved
show that would run for five seasons and receive 15 Emmy
awards.
The show, created by actor, writer and comedian Carl Reiner,
starred the titular Dick Van Dyke, along with a ensemble cast
including Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie and Morey Amsterdam.
Richard Wayne Van Dyke will be 100 on December 13th.
On September 22, 1994, the television sitcom Friends, about
six young adults living in New York City, debuted on NBC.
The show, which featured a group of relatively unknown
actors, went on to become a huge hit and air for 10 seasons.
It also propelled the cast—Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox,
Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David
Schwimmer to varying degrees of stardom and success
in Hollywood.
George Wendt, best known for playing Norm on Cheers, died
peacefully in his sleep while at home early Tuesday morning,
on the 32nd anniversary of the Cheers series finale. He was 76.
Wendt was on Cheers for the entirety of the show’s epic run
from 1982–1993.
On February 28, 1983, the celebrated sitcom M*A*S*H bowed
out after 11 seasons, airing a special two-and-a-half hour
episode watched by 77 percent of the television viewing
audience. It was the largest percentage ever to watch a
single TV show up to that time.
