his latest book is about redd foxx, "black and blue: the redd foxx story." good to have you on this program. my favorite part was learning the nickname that he was given as a child. smiley sanford. because he was always smiling. i had no idea. what to do you think people -- when you started researching his life, what were some of the more surprising things about him? >> there were a few things. his relationship with morocco max. i got into it into the book how close they were done in harlem. redd foxx -- they were dishwasher's together. they ran together. they have a lot of schemes, they sold the suits off rooftops. they were very close. that was one of the things. also that he started out to be a singer, not a comedian and cut six r&d sites -- sides. tavis: when i discovered that in the ?, it did not surprise me because he was always singing. that did not surprise me. it is wanting to wants to be a singer and end up in comedy, happen -- when did he know he was gifted enough to be a comedian? >> he was always a funny guy. he was always the class cut up in sc

what interested you about redd foxx?ly broke ground in many different areas. >> today of course as you mentioned to me a few minutes ago the 20th anniversary of his death. for some people who when he came on that sitcom it was like he came out of nowhere. >> right. >> he was older, not an overnight success. he had a hard time making that big career move. >> right, he spent, redd spent over 30 years working the chitlin circuit because of his skin color. he toured with slappy white who appeared on "sanford and son" and broke doors down for comedians for today. >> hugh downs invited him on the "today" show. >> he had seen the sugar hill club in san francisco and invited redd to come on. there was a little on the part of nbc i think they were nervous because redd was known as a blue comedian. he toned down his act for television, he was a hit and opened the door for other tv appearanc appearances. >> the show "sanford and son" truly was you never see in this day and age wasn't supposed to be about an african-american family.

. >> the redd foxx. one of the most social creatures on the planet. they're gorgeous.musty odor they have. >> jungle jack hanna. a pleasure to have you on. jack's show is on abc stations throughout the nation. it's called "jack hanna's wild countdown." today, a black and white theme. you'll get to see more penguins. and we'll be right back with more "good morning america" after this quick break. >>> coming up here on "gma," who's chest is worth more? tom jones or dolly parton? what happens when celebrities insure their body parts. we're crunching the numbers. llp] cut! [ monica ] i have a small part in a big movie. i thought we'd be on location for 3 days, it's been 3 weeks. so, i used my citi simplicity card to pick up a few things. and i don't have to worry about a late fee. which is good... no! bigger! bigger! [ monica ] ...because i don't think we're going anywhere for a while. [ male announcer ] write your story with the new citi simplicity card. no late fees. no penalty rate. no worries. get started at citisimplicity.com. [ laughs ] [ laughs ] [ laughs ] that's a