Redd Foxx Spouse: The Complete Story of His Four Marriages
Redd Foxx wasn’t just a powerhouse of comedy—he was a man of passion, contradictions, generosity, fire, and complicated love stories that spanned decades. While most fans know him as Fred Sanford, the sharp-tongued junk dealer on Sanford and Son, fewer know the personal side of the man born John Elroy Sanford—a man whose rollercoaster marriages played as big a role in shaping him as his career highs and financial troubles.
Across his lifetime, Redd Foxx married four women, each representing a unique chapter in his life. From his early, pre-fame marriage to Evelyn Killebrew, to his emotionally complex unions with Betty Jean Harris and Joi Yun-chi Chung, all the way to his final marriage to Ka Ho Cho—Foxx’s spouses paint a multidimensional portrait of the legendary comedian.
This long-form article explores each spouse’s story, how they met Redd, how their relationships unfolded, and how these marriages influenced the man behind the iconic comedic persona. Whether for historical insight, celebrity curiosity, or SEO interest, this is the most comprehensive breakdown of “Redd Foxx spouse” you’ll find.
A Quick Overview: How Many Times Was Redd Foxx Married?
Redd Foxx was married four times:
- Evelyn Killebrew (1948–1951)
- Betty Jean Harris (1956–1974)
- Joi Yun-chi Chung (1976–1981)
- Ka Ho Cho (1991)
Each marriage overlapped with a different era of his career—from nightclub hustling to television fame to financial struggles. To understand Foxx, you must understand the women he chose, the relationships he built, and the emotional imprint each marriage left on his life.
1. Evelyn Killebrew — Redd Foxx’s First Wife (1948–1951)
Redd Foxx’s first marriage is the one most fans know little about. It happened long before Sanford and Son, long before national fame, and long before Foxx became a household name. This relationship reflects Foxx’s youth—his hunger, his dreams, his uncertainty, and his early struggles in entertainment.
Early Love Before Stardom
In 1948, a 25-year-old Redd Foxx married Evelyn Killebrew, a woman whose life remains mostly undocumented in entertainment archives. At this stage, Foxx was a rising nightclub comedian performing on the “chitlin’ circuit”—a network of African-American clubs and venues across the country.
Money was scarce. Fame was nowhere in sight. And Evelyn was part of that early grind era—when Foxx was fighting to establish his voice, traveling endlessly, and living a life that was unpredictable and unstable.
Why the Marriage Was Short
The marriage lasted only three years. Though specific public records don’t detail the exact causes, the challenges are easy to contextualize:
- Foxx was constantly traveling
- The comedy scene demanded late nights and instability
- Financial pressures were immense
- Their youth likely played a major role
Evelyn remained private after the divorce, and unlike his later wives, she did not remain a major public figure in Foxx’s story.
The Significance of This Marriage
This marriage represents the “before fame” Redd Foxx—the man still figuring himself out, testing material, polishing his timing, and learning how to survive in showbusiness. Evelyn was there during the foundation, even if the marriage was short-lived.
2. Betty Jean Harris — The Second Wife Who Mixed Love and Business (1956–1974)
If one spouse had the greatest influence on Redd Foxx’s development both personally and professionally, it was Betty Jean Harris. Their marriage lasted nearly two decades, longer than all his other marriages combined.
Who Was Betty Jean Harris?
Before meeting Foxx, Betty was already in showbusiness as a Las Vegas dancer and showgirl. She also performed alongside LaWanda Page—who would later become the legendary Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son.
Betty was glamorous, confident, disciplined, and ambitious. Foxx was instantly drawn to her charm.
A Marriage Built on Partnership
When Foxx and Harris married in 1956, she agreed to a major life shift: she left showbusiness at Foxx’s request. Instead, she became a housewife and later took charge of Foxx’s business interests, including:
- Redd Foxx Enterprises
- His chain of record stores
- His comedy album distribution
This period became Foxx’s most financially organized era—and Harris is credited for helping him stabilize his life and career.
Foxx Adopts Her Daughter
Redd Foxx adopted Betty’s daughter, Debraca Denise, who became his only legally recognized child. Debraca would remain deeply connected to Foxx’s estate long after his death.
The Downfall: Infidelity, Stress, and Distance
By the early 1970s, cracks in the marriage began to show. Fame, touring, financial stress, and alleged infidelity strained their relationship. They separated in 1974, and Foxx filed for divorce after 18 years.
The divorce was expensive, emotionally drained, and legally messy. There were reports of:
- Over $100,000 in marital assets disputes
- Large support payment demands
- Business complications
Despite this, Betty Jean Harris remains one of the most significant figures in Foxx’s life story.
3. Joi Yun-chi Chung — The Turbulent Vegas Romance (1976–1981)
Redd Foxx’s third marriage was fiery, passionate, dramatic, and ultimately painful.
A Classic Sin City Love Story
Foxx met Joi Yun-chi Chung, a Korean cocktail waitress at the Las Vegas Hilton, in the mid-1970s. She was in her twenties, Foxx was in his fifties, and the age gap reflected a difference in life experiences and expectations.
A Wedding on New Year’s Eve
The pair married on December 31, 1976—a symbolic “fresh start.” Their Vegas wedding captured the glam and spontaneity of the city where Foxx spent so much of his career performing.
The Relationship Unravels
It didn’t take long for the relationship to turn tumultuous. By 1979, Foxx had filed for divorce, and Chung countersued, citing cruelty. Their divorce was finalized in 1981.
Reports indicate Foxx paid a large settlement, estimated around $300,000—yet another financial blow in his long history of costly separations.
Foxx Swore Off Marriage… Temporarily
During interviews at this time, Foxx famously claimed he was finished with marriage, saying (paraphrased):
He’d rather give his money to children than hand it over to a future husband of an ex-spouse.
But as history shows, Foxx’s heart didn’t entirely shut down.
4. Ka Ho Cho — The Final and Most Searched Redd Foxx Spouse (1991)
When people search for “Redd Foxx spouse,” they’re usually looking for information about Ka Ho Cho—his fourth and final wife, who remains the most mysterious and widely discussed.
Who Was Ka Ho Cho?
Ka Ho Cho was born in Seoul, South Korea, often estimated around 1959. She lived a private life away from celebrity culture, and unlike Foxx’s previous wives, she stepped into his world after he was already financially strained.
How Redd Foxx Met Ka Ho Cho
Foxx met Cho in Las Vegas, commonly reported at Bally’s Hotel and Casino. She was significantly younger, but Foxx was drawn to her loyalty, kindness, and willingness to support him during his lowest financial period.
A Marriage Built on Loyalty During Hardship
By 1991, the IRS had drained Foxx with tax liens totaling millions. He had lost assets, including his home, vehicles, and personal collection.
Ka Ho Cho stayed by his side. According to many accounts, Foxx married her because she stood with him when he was no longer wealthy, no longer at the top, and no longer the Hollywood star he once was.
Their Short Marriage
They married in July 1991 in Las Vegas. Tragically, their union lasted just three months.
On October 11, 1991, while rehearsing for his sitcom The Royal Family, Foxx suffered a massive heart attack and died at age 68.
Ka Ho Cho became his widow almost instantly.
Estate Battles After His Death
After Foxx’s death:
- His estate was millions in debt
- His stepdaughter Debraca was placed in charge of handling it
- Cho disputed the arrangement
- She accused Debraca of mismanaging funds intended to pay Foxx’s debts
Despite these conflicts, Cho eventually stepped away from public life.
Life After Redd Foxx
Ka Ho Cho disappeared from the media spotlight. There are no verified interviews, no official public appearances, and no confirmed updates about her current life.
She remains the most searched “Redd Foxx spouse” largely because:
- She was his last wife
- Their story was short and tragic
- She appeared when Foxx was struggling, not thriving
- Her private nature creates mystery
The Four Spouses in Perspective
While each marriage had its own rhythm, patterns emerge in examining Foxx’s relationships.
1. Redd Foxx Sought Stability, Then Freedom
His marriages often began with emotional intensity and deep appreciation but eventually collided with the pressures of fame, finances, and lifestyle differences.
2. Financial Challenges Followed Him Through Every Marriage
Between:
- His expanding businesses
- Later IRS debt
- Expensive divorces
Money was a recurring source of pressure in every relationship.
3. The Women Played Major Roles in His Personal Growth
- Evelyn saw him before fame
- Betty balanced his business life
- Joi represented Foxx’s immersion into Vegas culture
- Ka Ho Cho was with him during financial collapse and final moments
4. Love Never Left Him
Even after heartbreak, Foxx kept searching for connection. His marriages reveal a deeply emotional man who enjoyed companionship and believed in romance despite past pain.
Why “Redd Foxx Spouse” Is a Trending Topic Today
In modern digital culture, search traffic around old Hollywood figures often spikes when:
- Fans revisit classic shows
- New documentaries appear
- Social media clips resurface
- Younger audiences discover iconic actors
Redd Foxx remains a timeless comedic icon, and curiosity about his personal life—especially his mysterious final marriage—keeps the keyword “redd foxx spouse” consistently relevant for bloggers, biographers, and entertainment enthusiasts.
Final Thoughts: The Legacy of Redd Foxx’s Love Life
Redd Foxx lived boldly, loved intensely, and committed wholeheartedly—even when it cost him financially or emotionally. His four spouses reflect different eras of his life, and together they form a complete picture of a man who craved connection as much as he craved laughter.
For fans searching “Redd Foxx spouse,” the story is more than a list of names—it’s a journey through passion, heartbreak, humor, humanity, and the complicated life behind one of America’s greatest comedians.
This article is published for readers of Buz Vista, where stories of entertainment icons and hidden Hollywood histories come alive.
1. How many times was Redd Foxx married?
Redd Foxx was married four times. His spouses were Evelyn Killebrew, Betty Jean Harris, Joi Yun-chi Chung, and Ka Ho Cho.
2. Who was Redd Foxx’s first wife?
His first wife was Evelyn Killebrew, whom he married in 1948. Their marriage lasted three years and occurred before his major rise to fame.
3. Who was Redd Foxx’s second wife?
His second wife was Betty Jean Harris, a former Las Vegas dancer. They were married from 1956 to 1974, and Foxx adopted her daughter, Debraca Denise.
4. Did Redd Foxx have children?
Redd Foxx did not have biological children, but he adopted Debraca Denise, the daughter of his second wife, Betty Jean Harris.
5. Who was Redd Foxx’s third wife?
His third wife was Joi Yun-chi Chung, a Korean cocktail waitress. They married in 1976 and divorced in 1981.
6. Who was Redd Foxx’s last spouse?
His final spouse was Ka Ho Cho, a woman from Seoul, South Korea. They married in July 1991, just three months before Foxx’s sudden death.
7. How did Redd Foxx die?
Redd Foxx died on October 11, 1991, from a massive heart attack while rehearsing for his sitcom The Royal Family.
8. Why was Redd Foxx in debt when he died?
He owed millions due to IRS tax issues, lifestyle expenses, business losses, and costly divorces.
9. Did Redd Foxx and Ka Ho Cho have children together?
No. Redd Foxx and Ka Ho Cho did not have children together.
10. Why is Ka Ho Cho often searched online?
Ka Ho Cho is the most searched “Redd Foxx spouse” because she was his last wife, their marriage was very short, and she maintains an extremely private life after his death.