Sonny Jim Gaines

Sonny Jim Gaines (born September 10, 1927-died September 2, 2006) was a veteran character actor who worked on TV 1970's through the early 2000's. He appeared in two Sanford and Son episodes: first in Season 4's "Mama's Baby, Papa's Maybe" where he appeared as "Big Money" Grip Madlock, an old buddy of Fred's from St. Louis, then as "Bottom Of The Deck" Dan a poker hustling gambler accquaintance of Fred and Bubba's in the episode "The Lucky Streak" in Season 5. He also appeared on Sanford as a bailiff in the episode "Jury Duty".

Acting career
Born James E. Gaines in North Carolina, Sonny Jim, who was raised in New York City. In addition to his Sanford and Son appearances, made numerous other guest appearances on TV, such as Good Times, Baretta and Law and Order. Gaines also had roles in several films which included the 1973 blaxploitation flick Five On The Black Hand Side, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, The Distingushed Gentleman opposite Sheryl Lee Ralph and the films star, Eddie Murphy, the Oscar nominated 1992 biopic Malcolm X, which starred Denzel Washington, with whom he also appeared in the 1993 film The Pelican Brief with Julia Roberts. He was also in good times playing the farther of Debbie Allen whom was to marry J.J. . He started in his fame in the movie Five on the black hand side. He brought on Spike Lee as well as many others well famous actors mentoring them on. He was also headed  the Black Actors Gul..''

Death
A resident for many years of Balitimore, MD, Sonny Jim died in Manhattan, NY.