Demond Wilson along with his co-star Redd Foxx set the entertainment world on fire during the 1970's by opening up doors that were closed for African Americans, in short they were pioneers. Growing up with great direction for his parents Wilson set out on a journey which put God first in his life, with his family at a close second and his career, ministry or entertainment, dead last.

Demond Wilson served his country in Vietnam and quickly found out that in war that everyone is equal, as that is the only way to survive in war.

“I was a warrior. At 62, I’m still a warrior. I’m a warrior for Jesus in the army of the Lord. But when you got to Vietnam, everybody was your brother. The staunchest redneck racist became your brother, because you have to depend on each other to stay alive.”

But the reception on the home front wasn't the warmest, Wilson was greeted by the anti-war movement, from being yelled at and spat at for wearing his uniform, the reception was much different than you see with soldiers coming home from Iraq. With that said, finding a job was very difficult during those times and Wilson decided to go with something he was familiar with and it all clicked for him.

Demond Wilson went from starring as “Charlie Blossom” in the 1971 Sidney Poitier film "The Organization" and getting a cameo as a comedic burglar in an episode of All In The Family. Well the end result was him landing the role of Lamont Sanford in the hit sitcom "Sanford & Son with Redd Foxx."

He and Foxx had not known each other before the show, but they quickly bonded and their relationship on and off-screen was magical. Wilson writes about this in his new book, Second Banana: The Bitter Sweet Memoirs Of The Sanford And Son Years.

Sanford And Son was the first black TV show to hit the ratings jackpot. However, the Norman Lear-produced show did require some tinkering by Wilson and Foxx. A team of mostly Jewish writers penned the show, and the dialogue of each episode had to be re-written and ad-libbed by the black actors.

Almost 40 years after the show premiered, it continues to air in syndication in over 40 countries around the world. TV Land broadcasts the show to over 93 million U.S. homes.

The success of Sanford And Son has led to many falsehoods about Wilson, rumors that he addresses in the new book. He says that he thought once and for all he would set it straight and tell the truth. He was never addicted to cocaine, and he didn’t become angry and chase Lear down the hall with a gun, a rumor that gives him a good laugh.

Wilson’s career took a back seat in the 1980s when he became an evangelical minister. He’s traveled the world to spread the Gospel. He’s also led a prison ministry.

In recent months Wilson has come out of acting hibernation, where he’s combined his love of the Lord with acting in the forthcoming Christian movie "Faith Ties", which is eqauted to a black version of It’s A Wonderful Life. He stars in the role of a millionaire that loses everything and becomes a homeless drunk.

In Palm Desert, the Southern Californian with a Southern upbringing lives with his wife of 36 years, Cicely. The couple have six children, and three grandchildren.