Don Bexley
Encyclopedia
Donald Thomas Bexley 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
. He was a standup comedian on the Chitlin' Circuit
as a solo act and as part of comedy teams, during which time he became acquainted with Redd Foxx. Bexley recorded party albums with partner Dave Turner and worked constantly throughout the United States. His greatest exposure came from his Sanford and Son appearances. He appeared as the same character in the Sanford and Son spin-off
series The Sanford Arms
. His other television credits include Laverne & Shirley
, Cheers, T.J. Hooker, Hunter and The Royal Family
. He was the MC
and comedian in the movie Sparkle
. He retired from show business in the 1980s and returned to his native Virginia.
Bexley maintained a close friendship with Redd Foxx
, until Foxx's 1991 death, and was an honorary pallbearer at Foxx's funeral.
where he made his home, death due to heart and kidney failure. Reportedly survived by a daughter. Bexley was buried at Hampton Memorial Gardens, in City of Hampton
. As of 2010, a temporary gravestone marked his grave.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor and comedian, best known for playing Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx
John Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
)'s friend Bubba Bexley on the 1970s television sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son
Sanford and Son is an American sitcom, based on the BBC's Steptoe and Son, that ran on the NBC television network from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977....
. He was a standup comedian on the Chitlin' Circuit
Chitlin' circuit
The "Chitlin' Circuit" was the collective name given to the string of performance venues throughout the eastern and southern United States that were safe and acceptable for African-American musicians, comedians, and other entertainers to perform during the age of racial segregation in the United...
as a solo act and as part of comedy teams, during which time he became acquainted with Redd Foxx. Bexley recorded party albums with partner Dave Turner and worked constantly throughout the United States. His greatest exposure came from his Sanford and Son appearances. He appeared as the same character in the Sanford and Son spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
series The Sanford Arms
The Sanford Arms
The Sanford Arms is an American sitcom that aired from September to October 1977 on NBC. The series is an attempted continuation of the sitcom Sanford and Son.After six seasons, Redd Foxx left Sanford and Son to star in a variety show for ABC...
. His other television credits include Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley
Laverne & Shirley is an American television situation comedy that ran on ABC from January 26, 1976, to May 10, 1983...
, Cheers, T.J. Hooker, Hunter and The Royal Family
The Royal Family (TV series)
The Royal Family is an American sitcom starring Redd Foxx and Della Reese. The series was created and produced by Eddie Murphy , who had previously worked with Redd Foxx and Della Reese in the 1989 film Harlem Nights. It ran for one season on CBS from 1991-1992...
. He was the MC
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
and comedian in the movie Sparkle
Sparkle (1976 film)
Sparkle is a 1976 American film directed by Sam O'Steen and released by Warner Bros. Pictures. Inspired by The Supremes, Sparkle is a period film set in Harlem, New York during the late 1950s and early 1960s which follows the rough lives and careers of singer Sparkle Williams and her family and...
. He retired from show business in the 1980s and returned to his native Virginia.
Bexley maintained a close friendship with Redd Foxx
Redd Foxx
John Elroy Sanford , better known by his stage name Redd Foxx, was an American comedian and actor, best known for his starring role on the sitcom Sanford and Son.-Early life:...
, until Foxx's 1991 death, and was an honorary pallbearer at Foxx's funeral.
Death
Donald T. Bexley died on April 15, 1997, at the age of 87, in City of HamptonHampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
where he made his home, death due to heart and kidney failure. Reportedly survived by a daughter. Bexley was buried at Hampton Memorial Gardens, in City of Hampton
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
. As of 2010, a temporary gravestone marked his grave.