Don Bexley

When Bexley returned from Europe in 1969, he and Foxx were cast together in Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970). Upon Bexley's arrival from Asia in 1971, Foxx sent for him to join the sitcom Sanford and Son. Foxx convinced Bud Yorkin and Aaron Ruben to hire Bexley to play one of Fred G. Sanford's friends. At the time, Bexley was 62 years old and never had appeared on television before. Bexley gained popularity for his portrayal as Bubba on the series, a very successful "rerun sitcom" today.

Bexley was born in either Jamestown, Virginia or Detroit, Michigan to Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bexley. His father was a Bible scholar and teacher, and his mother a classical vocalist. "I was born with a flair for the stage, as I had always been a clown – even during early adolescence," Bexley wrote in 1983.

In 1989, Bexley had a sitcom in the works that he had written and would have starred, titled Cee Cashman and 'Yul Stay Broke. It was a story about a Black Jew who owns a pawnshop. Just before his death, Bexley was still writing for stage and television. Clarence Williams, Sr., a friend of Bexley, said the actor had completed several scripts, but he knew of no current plans to produce them.

In 1989, Bexley was awarded the Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year award by the Support the Artists of America (STAA) in Orlando, Florida.

Bexley had a close friendship with Redd Foxx until Foxx's death in October 1991. He was an honorary pallbearer at Foxx's funeral in Las Vegas. Their friendship lasted for nearly 50 years.

Bexley made personal appearances and signed autographs on many occasions, including the Newmarket Fair Day-Talent Show in September 1996, and the Aberdeen Athletic Association in June 1996. One of Bexley's later signings was during his attendance at the NASA Langley Research Center's Black History Program in February 1997. These types of activities added to his longevity.

Bexley lived much of his life in Los Angeles, but after injuring his hip, moved to Hampton, Virginia, in 1996 to live with a friend, who served as his caregiver. Bexley died of heart and kidney failure on April 15, 1997 at Hampton Sentara Hospital. He was 87 years old. He is survived by his wife Sally Bexley, daughters Donna and Stacies Marie, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.