Redd Foxx Quotes

Powerful Redd Foxx for Daily Growth

About Redd Foxx

Born on December 9, 1922, in Baltimore, Maryland, John Elroy Sanford, popularly known as Redd Foxx, was an American comedian, actor, and musician who left a lasting impact on American television and comedy. Nicknamed 'Redd' due to his red hair and his father's fondness for the color, he started his career in show business as a drummer, but his true calling lay in comedy. Influenced by the likes of Moms Mabley and Bill Cosby, Foxx honed his comedic skills in various clubs across the country before moving to Los Angeles. His big break came when he joined 'The Steve Allen Show' in 1953, where he would often improvise hilarious routines. However, it was his role as Fred Sanford on the iconic 70s sitcom 'Sanford and Son', which catapulted him to stardom. The show, airing from 1972-1977, revolved around Foxx's character, a cantankerous junk dealer in Los Angeles. His catchphrase, "I'm coming and I'm straightening out my life," became synonymous with his name. Post 'Sanford and Son', Foxx continued to act, voice characters for animated shows, and release comedy albums. His later works include the sitcoms 'Sanford Arms' and 'The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour'. Foxx's humor, marked by his improvisational skills and ability to find the funny in everyday life, has been a source of inspiration for numerous contemporary comedians. Foxx passed away on October 11, 1991, but his influence continues to be felt in modern comedy, particularly in sitcoms. His wit, charm, and unforgettable characters have secured his place as one of the greats in American comedy.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm so old that when I was a kid, I used to play with myself. That's how old I am."

This quote is a humorous way for Redd Foxx to express his advanced age. The phrase "I used to play with myself" is an allusion to solitary activities during childhood, implying that he was older when such self-entertainment was part of his routine. It's a playful and lighthearted approach to conveying the passage of time in his life.


"I've had two marriages. Both were a success. I have all the papers to prove it."

This quote by Redd Foxx humorously emphasizes that while he may not have had lasting relationships in terms of personal happiness or longevity, he was able to obtain legal certificates (marriage licenses and divorce decrees) that verify the two marriages took place. In a broader context, it can be interpreted as a satirical comment on society's focus on formality (marriage papers) over substance (happiness or fulfillment in a relationship).


"I don't make up my own jokes, I just borrow them from God. And he doesn't mind me using them because He's making new ones all the time."

This quote by Redd Foxx suggests that humor is a gift from God, constantly being renewed and available for everyone to enjoy, including comedians like himself. It conveys the idea that comedians don't create jokes out of thin air but find amusement in the divine comedy inherent in life itself, which continues to evolve as God adds new elements to it. Essentially, Redd Foxx humorously highlights his role as a comedian by likening it to borrowing laughter from an infinite source of inspiration and creativity.


"My wife told me there were 365 ways to say I love you. I said fine, I'll use another one today."

The quote suggests a playful perspective on expressing love within a relationship, implying that finding new ways to convey affection can be rewarding and keep the intimacy fresh and lively. Redd Foxx's words emphasize the importance of maintaining variety in expressions of love, symbolizing a long-lasting bond where love is constantly nurtured and renewed.


"I don't want no skinny little girl standing in my kitchen when I'm eating bacon and eggs. I like to have something I can grab hold of."

This quote, while humorous in nature, suggests a preference for companions who are more voluptuous or substantial, possibly due to the speaker's desire for physical comfort or intimacy, as represented by the image of "grabbing hold" of someone. It also implies that the speaker enjoys traditional breakfast foods like bacon and eggs, and may find such meals less enjoyable when shared with a petite partner who might not fit the bill.


Certain things should be yours to have when you work your way to the top.

- Redd Foxx

Work, Top, Certain Things, Yours

This is the big one! You hear that, Elizabeth? I'm coming to join ya, honey!

- Redd Foxx

Big, Big One, Elizabeth, Hear

The show doesn't drive home a lesson, but it can open up people's minds enough for them to see how stupid every kind of prejudice can be.

- Redd Foxx

Stupid, Kind, Show, Prejudice

Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

- Redd Foxx

Health, Stupid, Hospitals, Lying

I'm convinced that Sanford and Son shows middle-class America a lot of what they need to know.

- Redd Foxx

Son, Shows, Lot, Middle-Class

Beauty may be skin deep, but ugly goes clear to the bone.

- Redd Foxx

Beauty, Deep, May, Bone

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