Redd Foxx Biography

Fast Facts

• Received a star on the St․ Louis Walk of Fame in 1992
• Died as a result of a heart attack during the middle of a rehearsal break for "The Royal Family," with most present company initial believing that this was merely part of his running "fake heart attack" shtick
• Began performing with the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show in 1939
• First gained acclaim as a prolific stand-up comedy performer in the nightclub circuit during the 1950 and 1960s, gaining him the nickname "King of the party records" due to being on more than 50 comedy albums during his lifetime
• Known for faking heart attacks as a means of comic relief
• His legacy in the comedy world was such that Chris Rock claimed to have first become interested in stand-up after hearing his jokes and re-telling them at school, and Jamie Foxx chose his stage name as a tribute to Redd
• Widely recognized for his various catchphrases and facial expressions
• Was a well-known associate of Malcolm X in the 1940s
• Dodged the World War II draft by causing his heart to palpitate as the result of eating a half a bar of soap