'Sanford and Son' actor Nathaniel Taylor dead at 80

Actor Nathaniel Taylor, who played the smooth-talking Rollo Lawson on the 1970s television comedy "Sanford and Son," died Feb. 27. He was 80.

Credit: Bobby Bank/Getty Images

Credit: Bobby Bank/Getty Images

Actor Nathaniel Taylor, who played the smooth-talking Rollo Lawson on the 1970s television comedy "Sanford and Son," died Feb. 27. He was 80.
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
March 2, 2019
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Actor Nathaniel Taylor, who played Rollo Lawson on the 1970s television series, "Sanford and Son," died Wednesday in Los Angeles after suffering a heart attack, Variety reported. He was 80.

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Taylor appeared in 32 episodes of the situation comedy from 1972 to 1977, playing the best friend of Lamont Sanford, according to IMDb. He frequently drew the scorn of lead character Fred Sanford, played by comedian Redd Foxx, who believed his son's friend was a criminal, Variety reported.

Taylor was born in St. Louis on March 31, 1938, KMOV reported.

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In addition to "Sanford and Son," Taylor played the role of Rerun's brother-in-law in the 1976 TV series, "What's Happening!!" according to Variety. He also appeared in "Adam-12," "Harry-O," and "The Bill Cosby Show."

Taylor also had roles in films, in “Willie Dynamite,” “Trouble Man” and “The Hunter,” the website reported.

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Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk