# Nathaniel Taylor: From Electrician to Hollywood’s Coolest Cat as Rollo

Nathaniel Taylor, born on March 31, 1938, in St. Louis, Missouri, emerged from humble beginnings to become a television icon as Rollo Lawson on *Sanford and Son*. Growing up during the Great Depression in a city pulsing with jazz and street smarts, Taylor honed his wit and charm alongside two brothers and three sisters. His early life taught him the power of humor to navigate tough situations, a skill that would later define his on-screen persona.

Yet, Taylor’s path to fame was anything but conventional—he never dreamed of acting, instead working as an electrician in Los Angeles with no formal training.

Fate intervened in the late 1960s at the Performing Arts Society of Los Angeles, where mentor Larry Clark noticed Taylor’s natural charisma and effortless cool. Clark urged him to audition, and after reading lines, Taylor’s raw talent shone like the circuits he wired. This led to a pivotal meeting with Redd Foxx, with whom he bonded over shared St.

Louis roots. Their instant chemistry paved the way for Taylor’s debut as Rollo, a smooth-talking, streetwise friend of Lamont Sanford, in the hit sitcom *Sanford and Son* from 1972 to 1977.

Taylor appeared in 32 episodes, crafting Rollo into a cultural touchstone. Unlike typical recurring characters, Rollo was integral to the show’s dynamic, embodying the rebellious streak Fred Sanford feared for his son.

Taylor infused Rollo with layers unwritten in scripts—despite a past in jail, he played him with unshakable confidence, never bitter but as a survivor who owned his mistakes. Memorable episodes like “Fred’s Treasure Garden” showcased his comedic genius, delivering innuendo-laden lines about “wild parsley” (marijuana) with innocent charm, turning absurd misunderstandings into comedy gold.

Beyond comedy, Taylor’s range shone in dramatic roles. In the 1974 blaxploitation film *Willie Dynamite*, he played Sugar, proving he could carry substantial parts with the same cool he brought to Rollo.

His starring role as Warmack in 1977’s *Passing Through*, directed by Clark, tackled complex themes of creativity and masculinity, earning praise for its depth. Taylor also guest-starred in shows like *What’s Happening!!* and reunited with Foxx on *The Redd Foxx Show*, adapting his charisma across formats.

However, Taylor’s life wasn’t without struggle. In 1986, he faced burglary charges alongside his brother, involving nearly $200,000 in stolen goods—a jarring contrast to his suave image, hinting at financial hardship despite TV success. The issue resolved quickly, but it underscored the instability of a character actor’s career.

In later years, Taylor opened a performing arts studio, mentoring young talent with lessons of authenticity. His legacy endured, evident in fan reunions with the restored *Sanford and Son* truck in 2016. Taylor passed on February 27, 2019, at 80, leaving a net worth of $300,000 and a lasting impact as Rollo, a symbol of 1970s cool and unapologetic dignity.