stories and histories BIOGRAPHY OF WHITMAN MAYO

HAPPY HEAVENLY BIRTHDAY WHITMAN MAYO
FUNFACT: Although Whitman Played an Elderly Man on Sanford and Son, Whitman was Only in his 40s when he played Grady.

Whitman Blount Mayo Jr. (November 15, 1930 May 22, 2001) was an American actor, best known for his role as Grady Wilson on the 1970s television sitcom Sanford and Son.

Mayo was born in New York City and grew up in Harlem and later Queens. At the age of 17, he moved with his family to Southern California where he attended Fontana High School before enlisting in the United States Army, serving from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean War.

Upon discharge, he studied at Chaffey College, Los Angeles City College, and UCLA. During this time, he began acting in small parts, while waiting tables and working in the vineyards and as a probation officer, as well as a variety of other small jobs. He also spent seven years as a counselor to delinquent boys.

In the early 1970s, while working for the New Lafayette Theatre, Norman Lear offered Mayo a role as Grady Wilson on Sanford and Son. The character's name was based on Demond Wilson, the actor who played Lamont Sanford and whose real first name is Grady.

He also appeared in In the Heat of the Night, Full House, and Martin. In 1997, he guest-starred in the Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan and Kel.

Mayo made several film appearances, including The Main Event with Barbra Streisand, D.C. Cab, Boyz n the Hood, and Waterproof with Burt Reynolds. Mayo also appeared as Reverend Banyon on the BET TV Movie Boycott in 2001. He hosted Liars and Legends on Turner South. He also made appearances in Sesame Street.

Mayo taught drama at Clark Atlanta University. He also opened a travel agency in Inglewood, California. Mr. Mayo was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

#veterans

Related post!

Please we need your reply to this topic.
Login or Register