Raymond Allen Passes On

Raymond Allen, who played Aunt Esther's alcoholic husband Woodrow on the classic sitcom Sanford and Son, died on August 10 at the age of 91.

Raymond Allen was born March 5 1929 in Kansas City, Kansas. He made his film debut in 1946 in a small part in the film Fight That Ghost. In the Seventies he appeared in the movies Mean Mother (1973) and Darktown Strutters (1975). He first appeared on Sanford and Son as Uncle Woodrow in 1974 and continued to appear on the show until it went off the air in 1977. He reprised his role of Woodrow on the spinoff Sanford Arms. While he was on Sanford and Son, he also appeared in the recurring role of Ned the Wino on Good Times. In 1976 he began appearing on Starsky and Hutch as mechanic Merl the Earl. He guest starred on Insight, The Love Boat and The Jeffresons. He appeared in the TV movie Gus Brown and Midnight Brewster in 1985.

Mr. Allen retired from acting in 1985, although he continued to make personal appearances.

Raymond Allen was a wonderful actor with a real talent for comedy. He stood out as Uncle Woodrow in a cast that included Redd Foxx and LaWanda Page. He stood out on other shows as well, and remains memorable as Ned on Good Times and Merl the Earl on Good Times.