Don Bexley
| Don Bexley | |
|---|---|
 Bexley as Bubba with Redd Foxx on Sanford and Son, 1976. | |
| Born |
March 10, 1910 Detroit, Michigan, United States[1] or Jamestown, Virginia, United States[2] (sources differ) |
| Died |
April 15, 1997 (aged 87) Hampton, Virginia, United States[1][3] |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1972–1991 |
Donald Thomas Bexley (March 10, 1910[2] – April 15, 1997[1][3]) was an American actor and comedian, best known for playing Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx)'s friend Bubba Bexley on the 1970s television sitcom Sanford and Son.
Early life
Bexley was born on March 10, 1910 in either Jamestown, Virginia or Detroit, Michigan to the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bexley.[1][2]
Career
Bexley was a veteran performer and actor who had attained the status of one of America's funniest black comedians, having entertained audiences throughout the United States and four continents. His entertainment career spanned over five decades, which included directing orchestras, singing and dancing in groups for more than 10 years, burlesque and acting.[1]
Early career
In the early 1940s, Bexley started doing stand-up comedy in upstate New York with such top comedians as Milton Berle, Danny Kaye and Henny Youngman and danced with the late Sammy Davis Jr. and other great entertainers.[1]
Bexley was the first black stand-up comedian to do the hotel circuit in the Mountain Hotel. During his travels, he met many black entertainers. One in particular was Redd Foxx; they worked in New York, Philadelphia and New Jersey.[1]
Redd Foxx and Sanford and Son
When Bexley returned from Europe in 1969, he and Foxx were cast together in Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970). Upon Bexley's arrival from Asia in 1971, Foxx sent for him to join in the NBC sitcom Sanford and Son. Bexley gained international popularity for his portrayal as "Bubba" on the series, which is a very successful "rerun sitcom" even today.[1]
Sanford and Son, based on a British show Steptoe and Son, was an instant hit and remained in the country's top 10 programs for its entire run from 1972 to 1977. Bexley reprised Bubba in the short-lived sequel, Sanford Arms, which had many of the same characters but not Foxx and Demond Wilson.[3]
Later career
He appeared in many television shows such as Hunter and Laverne & Shirley, as well as the 1976 film Sparkle.[1]
Later life
Since his relocation to Hampton, Virginia during the 1990s, Bexley was still quite active, always working on new ideas for shows and live performances.[1]
Bexley made personal appearances and signed autographs on many occasions, including the Newmarket Fair Day-Talent Show on September of 1996, and the Aberdeen Athletic Association on June of 1996. One of Bexley's last signings was during his attendance at the NASA Langley Research Center's "Black History Program," on February of 1997. These types of activities added to his longevity.[1]
Personal life and death
Bexley had a close friendship with Redd Foxx, until Foxx's death in October 1991, and was an honorary pallbearer at Foxx's funeral.[3]
Bexley died of heart and kidney failure on April 15, 1997, at Hampton Sentara Hospital, in Hampton, Virginia. He was 87 years old.[1][3] He is survived by his wife Sally Bexley and his two daughters Donna and Stacies Marie, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.[1]
Filmography
- Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970)
- What's Up, Doc? (1972)
- Sparkle (1976)
- Little Miss Maker (1980)
- Vibes (1988)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 1.11 1.12 Vaughter, Michelle (19 April 1997). "Obituaries". Daily Press. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Don Bexley biography at The New York Times
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Donald T. Bexley; Actor on 'Sanford and Son'". Los Angeles Times. 20 April 1997. Retrieved 27 March 2015.