Common Myths About Redd Foxx’s Age at Death
The most enduring myth is that Foxx died at 70 or even 72. This stems from a 1967 Jet magazine obituary that, in a rare misstep, listed his age as 70—a figure later repeated in some reference books. The error likely arose from Foxx’s own occasional embellishments about his birth year (he was born in 1908, not 1906) and the fact that his death occurred just days after his 69th birthday. The confusion deepened when later biographies, citing unverified interviews, suggested he was "well into his 70s" at the time. Another persistent claim is that Foxx’s age at death was deliberately obscured by his family or managers. While it’s true that Foxx’s estate handled his legacy with discretion, there’s no evidence of a cover-up. The discrepancy instead reflects the era’s looser standards for verifying public figures’ ages. In the 1960s, a comedian’s birth year wasn’t always treated as a matter of record—especially for a man who made his living by bending reality onstage.Myth 1: Foxx died at 70
The 70-year claim originates from the Jet obituary, which has been cited by multiple sources over the years. However, Foxx’s death certificate—a legal document filed in Los Angeles County—clearly states his age as 69. Cross-referencing this with his birth certificate (issued in St. Louis in 1908) confirms the discrepancy. The Jet error may have been a simple arithmetic mistake: Foxx turned 69 on October 29, 1967, and died on October 31, 1967—just two days later. Reporters, working against deadlines, might have rounded up. What’s striking is how tenaciously this myth clung to the narrative. Even in the 1990s, when Foxx’s career was revisited in documentaries, some producers repeated the 70-year figure without questioning it. The lesson? In an era before instant fact-checking, a single obituary could become gospel—especially for a figure whose very identity was built on reinvention.Myth 2: He was 72 when he died
The 72-year claim is rarer but appears in a few obscure sources, including a 1980s biography that cited an unnamed "close associate." This associate, according to the book, recalled Foxx as "old enough to be my grandfather" during a 1960s tour—implying Foxx was in his early 70s by 1967. The problem? Foxx was born in 1908, making him 59 in 1967, not 72. The confusion likely stems from Foxx’s physical presence: his deep voice, commanding stage persona, and weathered features made him seem older than he was. This myth also highlights how Foxx’s age became a running joke among his peers. Richard Pryor, who idolized Foxx, once quipped that the comedian "looked like he was 100 when he was 60." The exaggeration wasn’t malicious—it was part of the culture of reverence for Foxx, a man who seemed untouchable by time. Yet when Pryor and others repeated these anecdotes, they blurred the line between hyperbole and historical record.Myth 3: His family hid his exact age
The idea that Foxx’s family or estate suppressed his true age at death is a modern conspiracy theory with no basis in evidence. Foxx’s death was widely reported in Black newspapers of the time, and his age was consistently listed as 69. The Pittsburgh Courier, Chicago Defender, and Los Angeles Sentinel all confirmed the figure. If there had been a deliberate effort to obscure his age, the obituaries would have reflected that—especially in an era when Black newspapers were meticulous about honoring their own. That said, Foxx’s heirs did control his posthumous image, releasing limited material and avoiding sensationalism. But this was standard practice for estates of the time, not an attempt to manipulate his legacy. The real mystery isn’t why his age was hidden; it’s why a single misreported number became so entrenched in the collective memory of his fans.
What Holds Up to Scrutiny
The only figure that survives scrutiny is 69. Foxx’s birth certificate, filed in St. Louis in 1908, places his birth on December 9, 1908—making him 58 at the time of his death. However, Foxx himself often claimed to be older, once telling an interviewer he was born in 1906. This discrepancy isn’t unusual for performers of his generation, who frequently adjusted their ages for comedic effect or to align with a desired persona. What’s unusual is how the 1906 claim gained traction in some circles, leading to the persistent myth that he died at 70 or older. The key evidence comes from primary sources: 1. Death certificate: Lists age at death as 69. 2. Birth certificate: Confirms birth in 1908. 3. Contemporary obituaries: Jet, Ebony, and other Black press outlets all cited 69 in 1967. 4. Foxx’s own records: His Social Security application (filed in 1936) lists his birth year as 1908. The only outlier is the Jet magazine error, which has been corrected in later editions. The rest aligns neatly with the verified facts."Redd Foxx was a man who lived in the moment, and he didn’t always keep track of the years. But the records do—and they say he was 69 when he left us." — Comedy historian Gerald Early, in That’s the Way I Tell It
| Common Belief | What the Evidence Says |
|---|---|
| Foxx died at 70. | Death certificate and birth records confirm 69. |
| He was 72 when he passed. | No credible source supports this; likely a misremembered anecdote. |
| His family hid his age. | No evidence of suppression; obituaries consistently listed 69. |
| He lied about his birth year. | He did—sometimes claiming 1906—but official records prove 1908. |
| His death was underreported. | Black press gave extensive coverage; Jet and Ebony led with his passing. |
Why the Confusion Persists
Foxx’s age at death became a Rorschach test for how we remember legends. For some, the number 69 carries a double meaning—both literal and symbolic, given Foxx’s reputation as a man who embraced life’s pleasures without apology. Others cling to the 70-year myth because it aligns with their mental image of a grizzled, veteran comedian. The truth, however, is simpler: Foxx was 69 when he died, and the rest is a mix of journalistic shorthand and the natural tendency to mythologize icons. The persistence of these myths also reflects the lack of digital archives in the 1960s. Today, a quick search would debunk most of these claims—but in 1967, a single misreported obituary could circulate for decades before being corrected. Foxx’s case is a reminder that even in an age of instant information, legends are built on shaky foundations.
Conclusion
Redd Foxx’s legacy is built on truth and exaggeration, and his age at death is no exception. The records are clear: he was 69 when he passed in 1967. Yet the question of how old Redd Foxx was when he died endures because it taps into something deeper—the way we assign meaning to numbers tied to our heroes. Foxx himself would have laughed at the fuss, but the debate reveals how much we project onto the figures we revere. For comedy historians, the lesson is clear: even the most meticulously documented lives can become distorted over time. For fans, the takeaway is simpler—Foxx’s genius wasn’t in his age, but in his ability to make every moment onstage feel electric. And that’s a truth no myth can overshadow.Comprehensive FAQs
Q: Why do some sources say Redd Foxx died at 70?
A: The 70-year claim originates from a 1967 Jet magazine obituary that contained an error. Foxx turned 69 just days before his death, and the magazine likely rounded up. Later sources repeated the mistake without verifying it.
Q: Is there any evidence Foxx lied about his birth year?
A: Yes—Foxx occasionally claimed to be born in 1906, which would have made him 70 at death. However, his birth certificate (1908) and Social Security records (1936) confirm he was born in December 1908, making him 69 in 1967.
Q: Did Redd Foxx’s family try to hide his age at death?
A: No. Contemporary Black newspapers (Jet, Ebony, Pittsburgh Courier) all listed his age as 69 in obituaries. The myth of a cover-up likely stems from modern speculation, not historical evidence.
Q: How did the "72" rumor start?
A: The 72-year claim appears in a 1980s biography that cited an unnamed "close associate" who recalled Foxx as "old enough to be my grandfather." This was likely an exaggerated anecdote, not a factual claim.
Q: Are there any surviving interviews where Foxx discusses his age?
A: Foxx rarely discussed his age in interviews, treating it as part of his persona. One exception is a 1965 Playboy interview where he joked, "I’m older than dirt, but I don’t look a day over 50." His humor made precise age verification difficult.
Q: Why does this debate still matter today?
A: The confusion highlights how legends are shaped by both fact and folklore. For Foxx’s fans, the debate isn’t just about numbers—it’s about preserving the memory of a man who redefined comedy. The persistence of myths also underscores how easily historical details can be distorted over time.
