Fans of the iconic 1970s sitcom “Sanford And Son” are in mourning this week after Raymond G. Allen, who played Uncle Woody on the show, passed away at the age of 91.
Fox News reported that Allen’s death was confirmed by his daughter in a Facebook post.
“Just wanted to let The Allen Family and friends know that Dad received his wing two hours ago. His warmth, kind heart and cleaver [sic] sayings will be missed. His laughter will ring in heaven. Rest In Heavenly Peace Raymond Allen. The last of 12 siblings,” wrote Ta Ronce Allen.
She added in a separate post on Tuesday, “What a day this is been. I am so surrounded by love from friends and family. This has been one of the hardest days of my life I lost my father Raymond Allen and my cousin Deborah Doll (his niece). They are now both being held by the wings of angels.”
While Allen’s family has not yet revealed his cause of death, it’s been reported that he had been placed in a long-term care facility in California. He had reportedly been living there since 2016, and had dealt with bouts of pneumonia during his time there on multiple occasions.
Other family members told TMZ that he died of respiratory issues, and that his death had nothing to do with COVID-19. He was reportedly found “unresponsive” on Monday morning at the care facility where he had been living, and while EMTs rushed in immediately to attend to him, they were unable to revive the actor.
Allen was best known for portraying Uncle Woodrow “Woody” Anderson on the Norman Lear-directed television show, which ran from 1974-1977. The sitcom was about the irritable patriarch Fred Sanford, played by Redd Foxx, who ran a California junkyard.
Allen found success appearing on a number of other television shows in the 1970s as well, most notably playing Ned the Wino on “Good Times.” Other credits of his include appearances on “Starsky and Hutch,” “The Love Boat,” and “The Jeffersons.”
Allen is survived by Ta Ronce as well as another daughter named Brenda. The actor was predeceased by a son, Raymond Gilmore Allen Jr.
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