| WIkimedia Commons. The actor, born John Elroy Sanford, also starred in several movies, including "Ghost of a Chance" and "Harlem Nights." "They had an idea Murphy said he and Foxx shared a close relationship, which led to him paying for Foxx's funeral as the latter had fallen on hard times toward the end of his life. He owed more than $3.5 million in taxes when he died, as far as I can tell. Where can I watch the entire Dragon Ball series for free. On October 11, 1999, the Sanford and Son star was on the set of his latest TV show when a stroke claimed his life at the age of 68.