For many fans, Sanford and Son was their introduction to Demond Wilson.
The success of the series placed him inside living rooms across America.
Lamont became a familiar presence.
Viewers followed his attempts to manage a father who seemed capable of turning the simplest situation into a major event.
The chemistry between the characters gave the show much of its lasting appeal.
But Wilson’s life had begun far from a television studio
Before Hollywood recognition, Wilson had experienced military service.
He was a Vietnam veteran.
That chapter of his life placed him in circumstances very different from the comedy sets that later made him famous.
He knew danger and responsibility before audiences knew his face.
His life therefore contained very different worlds.
Military service became part of a much larger personal journey
