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Whitman Mayo, 'Sanford & Son's' Grady, dies at 70

mayo
Whitman Mayo worked in the film and television industry for over 30 years  


ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- Actor Whitman Mayo, best known for his role as Grady on the 1970s hit television show "Sanford & Son," died Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, of a heart attack. He was 70 years old.

Mayo had been hospitalized for the last two months because of a hernia, a spokeswoman for the family said. He died at 5:15 a.m. as he was being transported from one hospital to another.

Mayo worked in the television and film industry for more than 30 years. He gained fame as the affable "Sanford & Son" character Grady Wilson, who was known for his trademark expression, "Good goobily goop!"

Most recently, Whitman hosted Turner South's original weekly series "Liars & Legends" and served as adjunct professor at Clark Atlanta University instructing a film/theater class.

"Turner South is deeply saddened by the death of Whitman Mayo," said David Rudolph, vice president and general manager of Turner South.

Among Whitman's TV credits are "Diff'rent Strokes," "In the Heat of the Night," "Trapper John, M.D." and "The Cape." Whitman's film credits include John Singleton's "Boyz In the Hood," and "The Main Event" with Barbra Streisand.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Gail Reid Mayo, and three grown children.








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