1. Donald Thomas Bexley was an American actor and comedian, best known for playing Bubba Bexley on the 1970s television sitcom Sanford and Son.
18 Facts About Don Bexley
1. 2.
Don Bexley's father was a Bible scholar and teacher, and his mother a classical vocalist.
3.
Don Bexley worked with Milton Berle, Danny Kaye, and Henny Youngman, and danced with Sammy Davis Jr.
4.
Don Bexley was the first black stand-up comedian to do the hotel circuit in the Borscht Belt.
5.
When Don Bexley returned from Europe in 1969, he and Foxx were cast together in Cotton Comes to Harlem.
6.
At the time, Don Bexley was 62 years old and never had appeared on television before.
7.
Don Bexley gained popularity for his portrayal as Bubba on the series, a very successful "rerun sitcom" today.
8.
Don Bexley reprised Bubba in the short-lived sequel Sanford Arms, which had many of the same characters but not Foxx and Demond Wilson.
9.
In 1989, Don Bexley had a sitcom in the works that he had written and would have starred, titled Cee Cashman and 'Yul Stay Broke.
10.
Just before his death, Don Bexley was still writing for stage and television.
11.
In 1989, Don Bexley was awarded the Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year award by the Support the Artists of America in Orlando, Florida.
12.
Since moving to Hampton, Virginia during the 1990s, Don Bexley was still quite active, always working on new ideas for shows and live performances.
13.
Don Bexley made personal appearances and signed autographs on many occasions, including the Newmarket Fair Day-Talent Show in September 1996, and the Aberdeen Athletic Association in June 1996.
14.
Don Bexley had a close friendship with Redd Foxx until Foxx's death in October 1991.
15.
Don Bexley was an honorary pallbearer at Foxx's funeral in Las Vegas.
16.
Don Bexley lived much of his life in Los Angeles, but after injuring his hip, moved to Hampton, Virginia, in 1996 to live with a friend, who served as his caregiver.
17.
Don Bexley died of heart and kidney failure on April 15,1997, at Hampton Sentara Hospital.
18.
Don Bexley's wife was Sally Bexley, with whom he had two daughters.