Remembering Nathaniel “Rollo” Taylor (Sanford & Son)

TPAF is extremely saddened to report the passing of actor Natheniel Taylor, also know as Rollo from the famed Sanford and Son Series.

Taylor was cast as the role of Rollo, the smooth-talking, slightly criminal but always cool counterpart to Lamont’s uptight antics in 1972. Although friends on the show, Rallo and Lamont were anything but in real life. Taylor acted off and on after his role as Rollo and became somewhat of a cult figure among Sanford and Son fans the world over.

According to his friend, entertainer/promoter Alonzo Williams, Taylor suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized on Saturday, February 23rd 2019. He passed yesterday (Feb.27th, 2019). Taylor would have celebrated his 81st birthday next month on March 31.

Williams had to say in honor of his longtime friend and mentor:

“Today black Hollywood lost a 70s legend Nathaniel Taylor better known as “Rolo” of the hit show Sanford and son past Feb 27th at UCLA medical center of complications from a recent heart attack. Taylors character on Sanford and was the lovable, funny but questionable friend of Lamont the co-star of the show. Services are yet to be announced.”

Here’s a brief bio of Taylor via Wikipedia:

Nathaniel Taylor (born March 31, 1938) is an American television actor, best known for his recurring role as Rollo Lawson in the 1970s sitcom “Sanford and Son,” a role he later reprised on its short-lived 1980-1981 spin-off “Sanford.”

He later played the first version of Jim-Jam with Redd Foxx on the 1986 series “The Redd Foxx Show.” Later, he played Rerun’s (Fred Berry) brother-in-law Ike in the sitcom “What’s Happening!!.”

Taylor also was featured in “Trouble Man” starring Robert Hooks as one of Mr. Big’s henchmen.

Here are some of TPAF’s favorite Rallo moments:

Taylor leaves behind his wife Loretta as well as 4 daughters, two sons and a wealth of grandkids and great grandkids. Services are yet to be announced.