Whitman Mayo Biography

Fast Facts

• Died from a heart attack at Atlanta's Grady Memorial Hospital in 2001
• As a child, he grew up in the NYC boroughs of Harlem Queens, before relocating with his family at 17 years old to Southern California
• He served in the U․S․ Army from 1951 to 1953, after which he pursued his higher education at UCLA, Los Angeles City College and Chaffey College
• Prior to the 1960s, he balanced his acting career with several odd jobs that include probation officer, vineyard worker and waiter
• Like many of his "Sanford and Son" co-stars, Mayo's role of Grady Wilson on the series ultimately became his most recognized one
• Once taught drama classes at Clark Atlanta Unversity
• Following "Sanford and Son," his character was given a star turn in the brief-lived spinoff series "Grady," which was cancelled in its first season
• Upon receiving positive feedback for his portrayal of Grady Wilson, Mayo opened up a travel agency located in Inglewood, Calif