Redd Foxx Spouse: Who Was He Married To, and What Happened to His Family?
Fans of Sanford and Son still ask one question more than any other: who was the real Redd Foxx spouse behind the man who made Fred Sanford famous? Many stories online mix up his wives, his real name, and how he died. This guide fixes that confusion. You will get the true, verified story of his marriages, his family, his fortune, and his final days — told simply and clearly.
Who Is Redd Foxx?
Before we cover the Redd Foxx spouse timeline, let’s ground the story in who he actually was. Born John Elroy Sanford, Redd Foxx became one of America’s most daring stand-up comedians and TV actors. He built his name on raw, unfiltered nightclub comedy long before he became a household name on TV.
He is remembered today mostly for playing the grumpy, lovable junk dealer Fred G. Sanford on Sanford and Son. But his career stretched far beyond that single role, into party records, film, and late-career sitcoms.
- Real name: John Elroy Sanford
- Stage name: Redd Foxx
- Born: December 9, 1922, in St. Louis, Missouri
- died in Los Angeles, California, on October 11, 1991.
- renowned for: Sanford and Son, The Royal Family, stand-up comedy CDs
Redd Foxx Real Name: The Man Behind the Stage Name
A lot of searches ask, “what’s Redd Foxx’s real name?The answer is straightforward: John Elroy Sanford was his birth name. He picked up the nickname “Chicago Red” as a teenager because of his red-tinted hair and his hometown ties, and that nickname eventually shaped the stage name the world came to know.
He later borrowed part of that identity for his TV character, Fred G. Sanford, which is why so many fans confuse the actor with the role. Understanding his real name matters here because it also explains the legal name attached to every Redd Foxx spouse and marriage certificate on record.
Redd Foxx Spouse Timeline
This is the heart of the topic. Redd Foxx was married four times over his life, and each Redd Foxx spouse played a different role in his personal story. Below is the complete, accurate order.
1. Evelyn Killebrew (1948–1951)
His first wife was Evelyn Killebrew. They married in 1948, while Foxx was still an unknown performer working odd jobs and chasing a break in comedy. The marriage lasted about three years before ending in divorce in 1951, right around the time his stand-up career began picking up speed.
2. Betty Jean Harris (1956–1974)
Betty Jean Harris became his second wife and, at 18 years, his longest marriage. She was a dancer and showgirl, and the couple married on July 5, 1956. Betty stepped away from performing to run the household and manage several of Foxx’s business ventures, including a chain of record stores.
She also brought a daughter, Debraca, into the marriage, whom Foxx later adopted as his own. The marriage ended in 1974 amid reports of infidelity, and Foxx filed for divorce that same year.
3. Yun Chi Chung, known as “Joi” (1976–1979)
His third marriage was to Yun Chi Chung, a Korean cocktail waitress he affectionately called Joi. They married on December 31, 1976, in Las Vegas. Joi was about 20 years younger than Foxx, and the relationship was said to be strained by cultural and lifestyle contrasts. The couple divorced in 1979 after a contested split.
4. Ka Ho Cho (1991)
His fourth and final Redd Foxx spouse was Ka Ho Cho, a South Korean woman he married in July 1991. Tragically, this marriage lasted only about three months. In October of that year, Foxx had a heart attack and died, leaving Ka Ho Cho as his widow.
Redd Foxx Wives Quick Reference Table
| Wife | Marriage Years | Duration | How It Ended |
| Evelyn Killebrew | 1948–1951 | ~3 years | Divorce |
| Betty Jean Harris | 1956–1974 | 18 years | Divorce (infidelity) |
| Yun Chi Chung (“Joi”) | 1976–1979 | ~3 years | Divorce |
| Ka Ho Cho | 1991 | ~3 months | Ended by his death |
The Wife of Redd Foxx at the Time of His Death
If you are specifically searching for the Redd Foxx wife he was married to when he died, that answer is Ka Ho Cho. She had just been married to him for three months, in July 1991, and she had been a part of his last, short existence. She largely stepped out of public view after his passing and has not sought media attention since.
Redd Foxx Children and Family Life
There were no biological children born to Redd Foxx. However, he adopted a daughter, Debraca Denise, from his second wife Betty Jean Harris’s earlier relationship. Debraca later became closely tied to managing his estate matters after his passing.
On the sibling side, Foxx had two older brothers: Fred Jr. and Leonard, though Leonard died shortly after birth. His father, Fred “Freddie” Sanford, worked as an electrician and left the family when Foxx was young. He received a working-class upbringing rooted in Chicago and St. Louis from his mother, Mary Hughes, and grandmother.
- Father: Fred “Freddie” Sanford
- Mother: Mary Hughes
- Brothers: Fred Jr. and Leonard
- Adopted daughter: Debraca Denise Foxx
How Did Redd Foxx Die? The Full Story
Many people search “how did Redd Foxx die” because the story itself is genuinely ironic. On October 11, 1991, Foxx was rehearsing a scene for his new CBS sitcom, The Royal Family, alongside longtime friend Della Reese. He fell to the ground, clutching his chest.
At first, no one panicked. He fell to the ground, clutching his chest.Foxx’s entire TV persona as Fred Sanford revolved around yelling up at the sky and violently clutching his chest while feigning a heart attack. His castmates assumed he was joking again. He was not. Reese later said he asked her twice to call his wife before he lost consciousness.
He was taken to Queen of Angels-Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center by paramedics. He was briefly resuscitated but passed away roughly four and a half hours after admission. The official Redd Foxx cause of death was a heart attack. He was 68 years old.
When Did Redd Foxx Die and How Old Was He?
To directly answer the common search “when did Redd Foxx die”: he passed away on October 11, 1991. He was born on December 9, 1922, which means he was 68 years old at the time of his death — just short of his 69th birthday.
Is Redd Foxx Still Alive? Setting the Record Straight
No, Redd Foxx is not still alive. This question keeps trending because younger audiences discover his comedy through streaming platforms and social clips, and naturally search to confirm his status. He died more than three decades ago, in 1991, but his influence on stand-up comedy and sitcom television remains very much alive today.
Redd Foxx Net Worth: Fame Without Fortune
Despite earning millions during his peak Sanford and Son years, Foxx’s net worth at death was actually negative. Years of lavish spending, poor financial management, and unpaid taxes caught up with him. In 1989, the IRS seized his Las Vegas home, several vehicles, cash, and personal belongings to cover a growing tax debt.
By the time he died in 1991, reports estimated he owed more than $3.6 million in back taxes and related penalties. His financial struggles were so severe that his widow could not initially afford his funeral costs — his former Harlem Nights co-star Eddie Murphy stepped in and paid for the service.
Redd Foxx Comedian Career: From Party Records to Prime Time
Long before television, Foxx built his name through raunchy, uncensored nightclub comedy known as “party records.” He released over 50 comedy albums during his career, earning him the nickname “King of the Party Records.” These albums sold in enormous quantities, particularly in Black neighborhoods across the nation, despite being too explicit for mainstream radio.
His comedy paved the way for later stand-up legends, and he was one of the first Black comedians to headline for white audiences on the Las Vegas Strip. This uncompromising, raw comedic voice is a big part of why the actor Redd Foxx is still respected as a pioneer today.
Redd Foxx TV Shows and Film Roles
Foxx’s screen career included multiple notable shows and films:
- Sanford and Son (1972–1977) — his breakout role as Fred G. Sanford
- Sanford (1980–1981) — a short-lived revival of the character
- The Redd Foxx Show (1986) — a variety and sitcom effort on ABC
- The Royal Family (1991) — his final project, cut short by his death
- Harlem Nights (1989) — a film alongside Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor
- Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) — an earlier film credit
Sanford and Son remains his defining legacy, earning him a Golden Globe win and multiple Emmy nominations during its run.
Redd Foxx Wikipedia Summary: Key Facts at a Glance
For readers who land here after searching “Redd Foxx Wikipedia,” here is a condensed, easy-to-scan summary of verified facts:
| Category | Detail |
| Real Name | John Elroy Sanford |
| Birth Date | December 9, 1922 |
| Birthplace | St. Louis, Missouri |
| Death Date | October 11, 1991 |
| Age at Death | 68 |
| Cause of Death | Heart attack |
| Spouses | 4 (Killebrew, Harris, Chung, Cho) |
| Children | 1 adopted daughter, Debraca |
| Signature Role | Fred G. Sanford, Sanford and Son |
| Net Worth at Death | Negative (heavy tax debt) |
Redd Foxx Young: His Early Life Before Fame
Before becoming a star, young Redd Foxx worked as a dishwasher in Harlem, where he famously befriended a fellow dishwasher named Malcolm Little — later known as Malcolm X. Both men had reddish hair, which is how Foxx picked up the nickname “Chicago Red.” He also briefly avoided military service during World War II through an unconventional method, then leaned fully into performing on the East Coast club circuit.
This gritty, working-class upbringing shaped the honest, unfiltered comedic voice that later defined his stand-up act and, eventually, his most famous TV character.
Faqs
1. Who was Redd Foxx’s spouse when he died?
His spouse at the time of his death was Ka Ho Cho, whom he married in July 1991, just three months before he passed away that October.
2. What was Redd Foxx’s real name?
His real, legal name was John Elroy Sanford. “Redd Foxx” was his stage name, inspired by a childhood nickname and his red hair.
3. How did Redd Foxx die?
He died of a heart attack while rehearsing for his sitcom The Royal Family on October 11, 1991. Because his TV persona frequently staged heart attacks, his castmates initially assumed he was kidding.
4. How many times was Redd Foxx married?
Evelyn Killebrew, Betty Jean Harris, Yun Chi Chung (“Joi”), and Ka Ho Cho were his four wives.
5. Did Redd Foxx have any children?
He had no biological children but adopted a daughter, Debraca Denise, from his second wife’s earlier relationship.
6. How much money did Redd Foxx have before he passed away?
His net worth was negative. He owed millions in back taxes to the IRS, and his funeral was ultimately paid for by his friend Eddie Murphy.
Conclusion
The story of every Redd Foxx spouse reflects a bigger truth about the comedian himself: a life full of highs, heartbreaks, and hard lessons. He built an empire through raw talent and relentless honesty on stage, yet struggled to hold onto stability in his personal and financial life. His marriages, like his career, were bold, imperfect, and deeply human.
If this guide helped clear up the real story behind his wives, his family, and his final days, share it with another classic TV fan — and drop your favorite Redd Foxx memory or Sanford and Son moment in the comments below.
