Redd Foxx’s Family, Marriages, and Friends: All the Details
Redd Foxx was a well-known comedian and actor. He was admired for his raw humor and charm. His life included many close ties to his family, meaningful relationships, and supportive friends. He once said, “Family is not always blood; it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs.”
Family Members and Personal Life
| Name | Relation | Birth Year |
|---|---|---|
| Fred G. Sanford Sr. | Father | 1880 |
| Mary Hughes | Mother | 1890 |
| Fred Glenn Sanford Jr. | Brother | 1920 |
| Ka Ho Cho | Spouse | 1959 |
Redd Foxx was born John Elroy Sanford in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1922. His father, Fred Sanford Sr., worked as an electrician, while his mother, Mary Hughes, managed the household.
Foxx had a brother, Fred Jr., who shared his childhood and early experiences. The two siblings grew up in a tight-knit family environment that helped shape Foxx’s quick wit.
Foxx married Ka Ho Cho in 1991. They met earlier that year in Las Vegas, where Foxx was performing. Their relationship turned serious quickly, and they married soon after in the same city. Foxx did not have biological or adopted children with Ka Ho Cho.
None of his immediate family members, except for his brother, were involved in the entertainment industry. Ka Ho Cho was not publicly known for a profession outside her marriage to Foxx.
Past Relationships
| Name | Relationship Type | Time Period |
|---|---|---|
| Evelyn Killebrew | Ex-Wife | 1948–1951 |
| Betty Jean Harris | Ex-Wife | 1956–1975 |
| Yun Chi Chung | Ex-Wife | 1976–1981 |
| Joi Yamamoto | Ex-Wife | 1987–1991 |
Foxx’s first marriage was to Evelyn Killebrew in 1948. The relationship ended in divorce three years later. He later married Betty Jean Harris in 1956, a showgirl. They met in a nightclub where Foxx was performing.
Foxx and Harris adopted a daughter together but later divorced in 1975. His third wife was Yun Chi Chung, whom he married in 1976. She was of Korean descent. They met in a Los Angeles nightclub, and the marriage lasted until 1981.
Joi Yamamoto became his fourth wife in 1987. She was of Japanese descent and had worked as a cocktail waitress. The two met while Foxx was working in Las Vegas. Their marriage ended before Foxx married his last wife, Ka Ho Cho, in 1991.
Friends Through the Years
| Name | Known Since | Profession |
|---|---|---|
| Della Reese | 1970s | Actress/Singer |
| LaWanda Page | 1950s | Comedian |
| Slappy White | 1940s | Comedian |
| Richard Pryor | 1960s | Comedian |
Foxx built lasting friendships throughout his career. Della Reese and Foxx became friends in the 1970s while working together on TV. They supported each other both on and off screen.
LaWanda Page was another close friend. The pair met in the 1950s on the comedy circuit. They shared a passion for comedy and often performed together on stage.
Slappy White and Foxx had a friendship stretching back to the 1940s. Both comedians fought for recognition in the tough world of show business.
Richard Pryor, known for pushing boundaries in comedy, met Foxx in the 1960s. Their connection grew from mutual respect and common experience in entertainment. These friendships provided Foxx with laughter and encouragement throughout his life.
