Estate of Redd Foxx Owes Millions in Back Taxes 19 Years After his Death

Sanford and Son star Redd Foxx owed $3.6 million in taxes when he died 19 years ago. The hope now is that marketing Foxx’s image can pay off the estate’s debts:

• In 2006, Foxx’s daughter, Deborah, was removed as administrator of the estate for failing to make accountings for revenue received since Foxx’s death. 
• Foxx’s fourth wife has accused Deborah of pocketing estate money instead of paying off the tax debt.
• In 2007, the public administrator of Clark County began working to settle the disputes in Foxx’s estate and is currently looking to market Foxx’s story for a movie.
• Marketing Foxx’s story for a movie depends on whether such use would be an artistic or a commercial endeavor.  Nevada law allows for marketing publicity rights, with an exception for artistic purposes not directly connected with commercial sponsorship.

See Steve Fries, Trying to Get Foxx’s Estate Out of the Redd, AOL News, March 7, 2009.