Where Is Debraca Denise Now? The Untold Story of Redd Foxx’s Daughter

Many people know Redd Foxx as the funny man who made the whole world laugh. His jokes, his style, and his comedy timing are still loved today. But there’s one part of his life that many people do not know much about — his daughter, Debraca Denise.

She lived a quiet and simple life while her father was a famous star. Even today, people still ask, “Where is Debraca Denise now?” and “What happened to her after Redd Foxx passed away?”

In this article, we take a gentle and easy walk through her life. We look at who she is, how she grew up, her family, her marriage, her TV roles, and her deep link to her father. This is the untold story of Debraca Denise, shared in a simple, warm, and friendly way.

Debraca Denise Quick Bio

Who Is Debraca Denise?

Debraca Denise is the adopted daughter of famous comedian Redd Foxx. She was born in 1947 to her mother, Betty Jean Harris, long before Redd Foxx entered her life. When Redd married Betty in 1956, he legally adopted Debraca and raised her as his own child.

Even though they were not related by blood, their bond grew strong. Redd Foxx cared for her, supported her, and treated her like his true daughter. Many fans still think of her as his only child because Redd Foxx never had biological children.

Debraca grew up in a home filled with entertainment, comedy, and hard work. But unlike her father, she enjoyed living quietly. She did not chase fame or attention. She preferred a soft, private life, far away from the bright lights of Hollywood.

Debraca Denise’s Early Life and Childhood

Debraca Denise was born in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1947. Her early life was simple, and she was raised by her mother before Redd Foxx entered the picture. When she was about nine years old, her life changed forever. Redd Foxx married her mother and adopted her, giving her not just a new home but a new father figure.

She did not grow up like most “celebrity kids.” Instead, she lived quietly. Her mother left her show-business job to become a housewife and later helped manage Redd’s career. So Debraca grew up watching her mother handle everything behind the scenes.

Imagine being a young girl and watching your father become one of the biggest stars on TV. It must have been exciting, but Debraca never tried to step into that spotlight. She stayed calm, polite, and private — a very different life compared to the loud and funny world of Redd Foxx.

The Bond Between Redd Foxx and His Daughter

The bond between Redd Foxx and Debraca Denise had many sweet moments. He took her into his life and treated her with love from the beginning. He even gave her his last name after adoption, which showed how much she meant to him.

But their relationship also had some tough times. When Redd Foxx and Betty Jean Harris divorced in 1974, the family faced stress and conflict. The divorce was not friendly, and this naturally affected everyone involved, including Debraca.

Still, time has a way of healing things. Before Redd Foxx passed away, he and Debraca fixed their relationship. They became close again, and she remained a big part of his life. It shows that even when families face problems, love can still bring them back together.

Debraca Denise’s Marriage and Family Life

In June 1975, Debraca Denise married a businessman named Ralph Russell. Their wedding was huge and beautiful. It took place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and cost around $40,000 — a massive amount at that time. Even though their wedding was grand, something felt missing. Redd Foxx did not attend because he was still upset about his divorce from Debraca’s mother.

But life moved forward, and the father-daughter pair later repaired their bond. Debraca and Ralph have been married for many years now. Some reports say they share a son named Paul Hiles, but the family has always kept this private. Debraca never enjoyed being in the spotlight, and her family life stayed very quiet and peaceful.

Her long and steady marriage shows the kind of life she always wanted — calm, private, and filled with love.

Debraca Denise’s TV Appearances and Career

Even though she stayed away from fame, Debraca Denise did appear in a few TV projects. She worked with her father on his famous shows. She played “Doris Martin” in a 1977 episode of Sanford and Son. She also appeared in the 1980 show Sanford, which was the sequel.

These roles were small and simple, but they showed her connection to the entertainment world. In 2015, she appeared in Unsung Hollywood, a documentary that talked about important Black entertainers, including her father.

Still, Debraca never became a full-time actress. She stepped back from TV and chose a private life instead. She never chased Hollywood fame, even though she easily could have used her father’s name. This makes her story unique — she lived life on her own terms, in her own quiet way.

Redd Foxx’s Sudden Death and What Happened Next

Redd Foxx passed away in October 1991 after a heart attack on the set of The Royal Family. At first, people thought he was joking, because he often made fake “heart attack” jokes on Sanford and Son. Sadly, it was real.

His death shocked the world. But it also left behind a big problem — Redd Foxx was millions of dollars in debt. He died with a negative net worth, mainly because of IRS issues, poor money management, and expensive divorces.

After his death, Debraca Denise became the executor of his estate. This meant she was responsible for handling his money, assets, and debts. But this is where a new and difficult chapter began, filled with legal challenges, stress, and family conflict.

The Legal Battle With Redd Foxx’s Fourth Wife

After Redd Foxx passed away, things became messy. At first, Debraca Denise was named the executor of his estate. That meant she was in charge of paying off his debts and handling any money or business deals related to her father’s name.

But Foxx’s fourth wife, Ka Ho Cho, didn’t agree with that. She claimed that Debraca was not doing her job right. Ka Ho said that Debraca didn’t report how much money was coming in from shows, royalties, and licensing deals. She also said that money meant to pay taxes was missing.

This turned into a family fight that reached the court. In 2006, a Nevada probate court removed Debraca from her position and brought in a public administrator to take over the estate.

Who Controls Redd Foxx’s Legacy Now?

Since 2006, a man named John J. Cahill has been handling Redd Foxx’s estate. His job was simple but big — to settle all the taxes and debts, and then make sure the rest of the money (if any) goes to the heirs. These heirs were Debraca Denise and Ka Ho Cho.

One of the most valuable things left in the estate was the rights to Redd Foxx’s life story. In 2010, Cahill shared that they were working to market and sell those rights through probate court. This could bring in money to help pay off what Redd owed and maybe even give something back to the family.

Even after so many years, managing Redd Foxx’s legacy hasn’t been easy. His sudden death, massive debt, and legal battles made things slow and painful for everyone involved.

Where Is Debraca Denise Now?

So, where is Debraca Denise today? That’s the question so many people still ask.

The truth is — she has chosen to live a very private life. She does not appear in the news, on TV, or in interviews. There are no social media accounts or public events. She has stepped away from everything and stayed quiet.

It is believed that Debraca still lives in the United States with her husband Ralph Russell. Some sources say they have one or more children, but again, no one from the family has confirmed anything.

Debraca has simply chosen peace over publicity — and there’s something beautiful about that.

Did Redd Foxx Have Any Other Children?

The answer is no. Redd Foxx never had any biological children. He was married four times, but Debraca Denise is his only publicly known child.

She may not have been his child by birth, but Redd Foxx loved her like she was his own. He gave her his name, supported her, and shared his world with her. That bond was real, and it still matters to fans who care about his story.

Interesting Facts About Debraca Denise

• She once dated Jackie Jackson, a member of the Jackson 5, before marrying Ralph Russell.

• Her mother, Betty Jean Harris, was friends with LaWanda Page — the actress who played Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son.

• Even though Redd Foxx was rich at the height of his career, he died with over $3.5 million in debt.

• Debraca was only nine years old when Redd Foxx adopted her after marrying her mother.

• After decades of silence, she appeared briefly in the 2015 show Unsung Hollywood, honoring her father’s legacy.

Final Thoughts

The story of Debraca Denise is quiet, but powerful. She grew up beside one of the funniest men in the world, yet never tried to chase the spotlight. She stayed true to herself and chose a simple, private life.

Even when things got hard — like the legal battles and public attention — Debraca never gave interviews or tried to clear her name. She just kept living her life in peace.

Her story reminds us that not everyone wants fame. Some people, even those close to the biggest stars, prefer love, privacy, and family over the flashing lights. And maybe, that’s what makes Debraca Denise so special.

You may also read: Meet Molly Leigh Burton, Don Burton’s Daughter with a Hidden Talent