The Truth About Redd Foxx Spouse: A 20-Year Age Gap and a Stormy Marriage

The story of Redd Foxx, the star of “Sanford and Son,” is not only about comedy and success. It is also about his deeply emotional and sometimes painful journey through love, marriage, and family. When people search for Redd Foxx Spouse, they often discover a history filled with joy, heartbreak, and dramatic turns. Foxx married four times, and each marriage showed a different part of his personality. His most talked-about relationship was with Joi Yun Chi Chung, a woman about twenty years younger, and their marriage became one of the biggest stories of his life. To understand the truth behind the stormy marriage and the big age gap, we must look at Redd Foxx wives, his early life, his rise to fame, and how his personal world shaped the man millions loved on screen.

Quick Bio Table

Detail	Information
Full Name	John Elroy Sanford
Stage Name	Redd Foxx
Born	December 9, 1922
Died	October 11, 1991
Famous For	“Sanford and Son”
Occupation	Comedian, Actor
Marriages	Four
First Wife	Evelyn Killebrew
Second Wife	Betty Jean Harris
Third Wife	Joi Yun Chi Chung
Fourth Wife	Kaho Cho
Children	Debraca Foxx (adopted)
Age During Sanford & Son	About 49–55

Early Life and Personality Behind the Star

Redd Foxx, born John Elroy Sanford in 1922, grew up in St. Louis and Chicago. His early life was not easy. He worked small jobs, stayed in rooming houses, and struggled with money before becoming a well-known performer. This difficult childhood shaped how he saw love and relationships. He often looked for comfort in people who made him feel safe. This emotional need later influenced his marriages and the choices that fans today connect with the topic of Redd Foxx Spouse.
Even before fame, Foxx was charming, funny, and full of confidence. His personality drew people toward him, and his fame only made that stronger. This charm also made it easy for him to fall in love quickly, which is why Redd Foxx relationships were often fast, intense, and sometimes short.

Redd Foxx’s Rise to Fame and How It Affected His Love Life

When Foxx became the star of “Sanford and Son” in the early 1970s, he was already in his forties. Fans often ask how old was Redd Foxx during Sanford and Son, and the answer is simple: he was in his late 40s and early 50s during its most successful years. This meant he became a household name later in life.
Fame changed his personal life. Women admired him, and people treated him differently. Many actors who become famous suddenly face problems in their marriages, and Foxx was no different. Fame made love easier to find but harder to keep. His role as Fred Sanford, a grumpy but lovable junk dealer, made people laugh, but behind the scenes his real love story was full of trouble. These struggles shaped the narrative that often surrounds Redd Foxx Spouse in public discussions.

Marriage #1 – The Quiet Beginning with Evelyn Killebrew

Foxx’s first wife was Evelyn Killebrew, whom he married in the late 1940s. Their marriage was short, and not much public information exists about it. At the time, Foxx was still trying to build a career. He had no fame, little money, and was often traveling between clubs. This unstable lifestyle made their relationship difficult.

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Though this marriage is not the most famous one linked to Redd Foxx wife, it shows how early he began searching for long-term love. Evelyn stayed out of the spotlight, and after their divorce, Foxx moved forward quickly. Still, she remains an important part of the history of Redd Foxx wives.

Marriage #2 – Betty Jean Harris: The Longest and Most Stable Chapter

Foxx found more stability when he married Betty Jean Harris, a dancer he met while performing. They married in 1956, and this relationship lasted nearly 20 years, making her his longest partnership. She managed much of his business life, supported him through his early comedy years, and helped him grow as an entertainer.

During this marriage, Foxx adopted Debraca, Betty’s daughter, who became part of his family. Fans often search for Redd Foxx children, and Debraca is the one child most publicly connected with him. She appeared in several TV projects and later helped manage Foxx’s estate.

This marriage was strong for many years, but fame changed everything. As Foxx became more popular, their relationship faced stress. Arguments grew, money became a major issue, and by the mid-1970s, Foxx filed for divorce. The split became public, and the story of Redd Foxx spouse once again made headlines.

Marriage #3 – Joi Yun Chi Chung: The 20-Year Age Gap Romance

The most famous and most stormy chapter of Redd Foxx spouse history began on New Year’s Eve 1976, when he married Joi Yun Chi Chung in Las Vegas. Joi had been working as a cocktail waitress, and she was much younger than Foxx. The age gap—around 20 years—became a major topic in the media.
Fans instantly began talking about the new Redd Foxx and wife story. Many believed Foxx was drawn to Joi because she brought excitement and youth into his life. At this point, he was a well-known star with money and attention, and their relationship had a mix of passion, gifts, and big expectations.

But the marriage quickly turned rocky. They argued often, and news outlets reported problems about money, behavior, and loyalty. By 1979, they were heading toward divorce. Joi accused Foxx of cruelty, and Foxx accused her of disrespect and overspending. The court case became messy, with both sides fighting for financial control. Their divorce was finalized in 1981, leaving emotional wounds that Foxx often joked about on stage.
This marriage is the one people most associate with Redd Foxx spouse, and it remains one of the most dramatic celebrity relationships of the time.

Marriage #4 – Kaho Cho: A Quiet Ending to a Turbulent Life

Foxx married one last time in 1991, to Kaho Cho, a Korean dancer he adored deeply. This marriage happened only a few months before his death. Unlike his past relationships, this one was quiet and peaceful.

Foxx said that Kaho gave him emotional comfort during hard times. She helped him deal with financial issues and the stress of his career. While short-lived, their marriage remains a gentle and touching part of the larger story of Redd Foxx spouse history.
Sadly, Foxx died suddenly from a heart attack while filming “The Royal Family.” His final wife stayed by his side until the end, showing that even after a lifetime of heartbreak, Foxx never gave up on love.

How Fame, Money, and Stress Affected His Marriages

Foxx’s marriages were heavily influenced by the pressures of fame. As he became more successful, people demanded more of his time, and money problems grew. Foxx was famous for spending big and trusting the wrong people. This created tension with many of the Redd Foxx wives, especially when financial troubles appeared.

He also had a soft heart, which made him easy to manipulate. Many fans believe that some of the women he loved took advantage of his kindness. This emotional weakness became a major part of the story of Redd Foxx relationships, and it shows why he had trouble finding lasting peace in marriage.

Redd Foxx as a Father and Family Man

When people search for Redd Foxx children, they usually learn about Debraca, his adopted daughter. Foxx loved her deeply and gave her every opportunity he could. She often visited him on set, and he proudly talked about her in interviews.

But Foxx’s busy work life made family time difficult. He toured constantly, filmed TV shows, and handled business issues. This lack of consistency affected his relationships at home. Still, family members say he had a gentle side, especially with children, and he often helped young comedians and performers as if they were family.

How Old Was Redd Foxx During Sanford and Son?

Many viewers are surprised to learn the real Redd Foxx age Sanford and Son timeline. Though he played an older, grumpy father on the show, he was only 49 years old when the series began. His natural comedic style made him seem older, which helped the show’s success.

This age detail is often included when people explore the broader story of Redd Foxx spouse, because it helps explain why he married younger women later in life. By the time he became famous, he was already middle-aged, and his personal life moved quickly under the spotlight.

Why His Spouse Story Still Fascinates the Public

The story of Redd Foxx spouses continues to interest fans today because it mixes love, drama, fame, and heartbreak. His marriages show different sides of his personality—his humor, his emotional needs, his mistakes, and his deep desire for connection.

People see his life as a reminder that even someone who makes millions laugh can struggle with love. His stormy marriage with Joi, his peaceful final love with Kaho, and his long marriage with Betty all create a full picture of a man still loved today.

Final Thoughts

The life of Redd Foxx spouse stories is a moving journey through happiness, pain, fame, and lessons. Foxx might have struggled to keep his marriages steady, but he never stopped trying to find real love. His early hardships, late fame, and emotional personality made his relationships intense and unforgettable.

Even now, decades later, fans still search for Redd Foxx and wife information because his love life was as dramatic as his comedy. His marriages shaped him, challenged him, broke him, and sometimes rebuilt him. And that is why the story of Redd Foxx spouse remains one of the most unforgettable chapters in comedy history.