The Royal Family (TV series)
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The Royal Family was a 1991-1992 sitcom starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese. The Royal Family was produced by Eddie Murphy (as part of a development deal with CBS), who had previously worked with Redd Foxx and Della Reese on the 1989 film Harlem Nights.
The Royal Family was about Atlanta mailman Al Royal (Redd Foxx) and wife Victoria (Della Reese), who were anticipating peaceful retirement years, until marital problems brought an extended visit from their daughter (Mariann Aalda) and her three children (Larenz Tate, Sylver Gregory, and Naya Rivera).
It was supposed to be a comeback vehicle for Foxx (best known for Sanford and Son), but he died of a heart attack (after completing the first seven episodes) on the set on October 11, 1991, and the series did not get renewed for a second season. It should be noted that immediately following Redd Foxx's sudden death, the producers opted to end the series. More episodes were only filmed (bringing the total to 15) in order to finish up the episode run originally ordered by CBS. Ironically, the working title for The Royal Family (considering the ultimate circumstances with Redd Foxx's fatal heart attack) was Chest Pains.
The Royal Family wasn't the first nor last sitcom to try to continue production despite the sudden death of its star. Chico and the Man (starring Freddie Prinze) and 8 Simple Rules (starring John Ritter) are other prime examples of television shows that tried to soldier on after the death of its star.
[edit] Cast
- Redd Foxx .... Alfonso Royal (1991)
- Della Reese .... Victoria Royal
- Mariann Aalda .... Elizabeth Royal Winston
- Sylver Gregory .... Kim Winston
- Jackée Harry .... Ruth/Coco Royal (1992)
- Barry Shabaka Henley .... Willis Tillis (1991)
- Naya Rivera .... Hillary Winston
- Larenz Tate .... Curtis Winston
