Redd Foxx Wife: The True Stories Behind His Four Marriages

Behind the raucous humor and groundbreaking television legacy of Redd Foxx lay a turbulent and complex personal life. While millions watched him play the irritable, lovable Fred G. Sanford on Sanford and Son, the man behind the makeup navigated four distinct marriages, intense financial pressures, and heavily publicized breakups. Understanding his romantic history requires looking past the public persona to examine the four women who shared his life.

Foxx tied the knot four times across his decades-long career in entertainment. Each relationship reflected a different era of his rise from a struggling Harlem dishwasher to a wealthy Las Vegas headliner and television icon.

The Four Marriages of Redd Foxx

The comedian's romantic journey spanned over four decades, marked by sharp shifts in his personal and financial standing.

Evelyn Killebrew (1948–1951)

Foxx married his first wife, Evelyn Killebrew, during his early years trying to make a breakthrough in the entertainment industry. Little public documentation survives about Killebrew compared to his later spouses, as Foxx was still a minor nightclub act working small rooms. The marriage lasted three years before ending in divorce, setting a pattern of short-lived early commitments while Foxx focused intensely on his career ambitions.

Betty Jean Harris (1956–1975)

Betty Jean Harris, a showgirl and dancer, was Foxx's longest-lasting and most influential marriage. The couple met when Harris was working in the entertainment scene alongside performers like LaWanda Page. They married in 1956, and Foxx adopted Harris's nine-year-old daughter, Debraca, who took the Foxx surname.

During this nineteen-year stretch, Foxx transitioned from a "party record" pioneer into a mainstream superstar with Sanford and Son. However, the intense schedule of television production and Foxx's demanding personality strained the household. Harris filed for divorce in the mid-1970s, leading to a protracted legal battle over assets and alimony that played out across tabloid headlines.

Joi Yun Chi Chung (1976–1981)

Shortly after his divorce from Harris, Foxx married Yun Chi Chung, a Korean-American woman, in 1976. The marriage lasted five years and ended amid bitter public accusations. Legal filings during their split included dramatic claims and countersuits, reflecting the growing volatility in Foxx's private affairs as his television career faced new hurdles.

Ka Ho Cho (1991)

Foxx vowed he would never marry again after his third divorce. However, that changed when he met Ka Ho Cho from Seoul, South Korea, at Bally's Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. They wed in July 1991 at the Little Church of the West.

Foxx noted in interviews with Jet Magazine that Cho stuck by him through severe tax troubles and IRS disputes. "She saw me with a nickel. And hopefully, she will see me with a dollar," Foxx stated. This final marriage was cut short tragically when Foxx suffered a fatal heart attack on the set of The Royal Family just months later, leaving Cho as his grieving widow.

Financial Struggles and Personal Strain

Money played a massive role in the stability of Foxx's relationships. Despite earning millions through his comedy albums and television syndication deals, extravagant spending habits, tax evasion penalties, and aggressive IRS seizures plagued his later years.

When Foxx faced bankruptcy and asset liquidation, romantic partnerships often buckled under the pressure. Friends and biographers noted that while Foxx was fiercely generous to fellow struggling artists—frequently helping launch the careers of performers like LaWanda Page and Slappy White—maintaining a balanced domestic budget proved difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many times was Redd Foxx married?

Redd Foxx was married four times: to Evelyn Killebrew, Betty Jean Harris, Yun Chi Chung, and Ka Ho Cho.

Did Redd Foxx have biological children?

No, Foxx did not have biological children, but he adopted Debraca, the daughter of his second wife Betty Jean Harris.

Who was Redd Foxx married to when he died?

At the time of his death in October 1991, Foxx was married to his fourth wife, Ka Ho Cho.

What caused the end of Redd Foxx's marriage to Betty Jean Harris?

After nineteen years together, the marriage dissolved due to personal strain, demanding work schedules, and growing incompatibility, culminating in a highly publicized divorce in 1975.