Nathaniel Taylor, known and loved as the smooth-talking Rollo Lawson on Sanford and Son, had one of the most unexpected journeys into Hollywood. Born in St. Louis in 1938, Taylor never set out to be an actor; he initially moved to Los Angeles to work as an electrician. Yet, his natural charisma and effortless “cool” were spotted, leading him from wiring stages to gracing the screen as one of the 1970s’ most iconic recurring characters.

From Blue Collar to Comedy Gold

Taylor was working as an electrician at the Performing Arts Society of Los Angeles (PASLA) when a mentor encouraged him to audition for a part. His natural rhythm and street wisdom immediately impressed Redd Foxx, who shared Taylor’s St. Louis roots and an unspoken understanding of their shared background.

The Essence of Rollo: Taylor played Rollo, Lamont’s lifelong friend, not as a hardened criminal (despite his character having spent time in jail), but as an unshakably confident survivor. He carried himself with the self-assurance of someone who knew who he was and refused to apologize for it.
The Perfect Foil to Fred: Rollo represented everything Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) feared his son Lamont might become, creating constant friction and hilarious confrontations. Fred’s increasingly desperate and paranoid attempts to separate the two men became a centerpiece of the show’s comedy.
Masterclass in Innuendo: One of Rollo’s most memorable moments was the “Fred’s Treasure Garden” storyline, where Lamont discovered apparent marijuana plants. Rollo’s advice to dispose of the “wild parsley” by rolling it in tiny pieces of paper was a genius display of comedic innuendo, delivered with perfect innocence that caught Lamont in his own hypocrisy.

Beyond the Salvage Yard

Taylor appeared in 32 episodes of Sanford and Son between 1972 and 1977 and reprised the role in the spin-off Sanford (1980-1981). However, his talent extended far beyond comedy.

Dramatic Range: Taylor also worked in film, including the 1972 blaxploitation film Trouble Man and the 1974 cult classic Willie Dynamite. Perhaps his most challenging role was as the jazz musician Warmarmac in the 1977 independent film Passing Through, demonstrating genuine dramatic abilities.
Late-Career Controversy: In a shocking turn that seemed to echo his on-screen persona, Taylor, along with his brother and a friend, was arrested on burglary charges in 1986 involving nearly $200,000 worth of stolen computers. Though the legal issues were resolved relatively quickly, the incident was a stark reminder of the financial instability facing character actors in the industry.

A Lasting Legacy of Authenticity

In his later years, Taylor opened a performing arts studio to mentor young actors, passing on the importance of confidence and authenticity. In 2015, the deep connection fans had with the character was proven when he reunited with the restored 1951 Ford F1 truck from Sanford and Son for public appearances.

Nathaniel Taylor passed away in February 2019 at the age of 80. His net worth, estimated around $300,000, reflected the respectable career of a working actor who became an authentic voice on television. His son perfectly captured his father’s legacy: “It was an honor for people to remember him from the electrical circuits of PASLA to the television screens of America.”