<Tr> <Th> Spouse (s) </Th> <Td> Barbara Williams (m . 1963--1977) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> 3; including Ta - Ronce Allen </Td> </Tr> <P> Raymond Gilmore Allen (born March 5, 1929) is an American actor . He is best known for his appearances on television during the 1970s . He had recurring roles as Ned the Wino on Good Times, as Aunt Esther's husband, Woodrow "Woody" Anderson on the NBC sitcom series Sanford and Son, and as mechanic Merle the Earl on Starsky and Hutch . He reprised his role as Uncle Woody Anderson in the Sanford and Son spin - off, The Sanford Arms . Allen also made guest appearances on The Jeffersons, What's Happening!!, The Love Boat and the film Wattstax . </P> <P> Allen has not appeared in any acting roles since 1985, but still makes public appearances, where he speaks to people and signs autographs . According to his MySpace page, Allen was forced to retire from acting due to illness . Allen was married to Barbara Williams from 1963 to 1977; they have three children . Currently, Allen lives with his daughter, former child actress Ta - Ronce Allen in Lancaster, California . He visits the Los Angeles area to visit his daughter Brenda Allen . Also, had a son, Raymond Gilmore Allen Jr. (deceased). </P>

Who played uncle woody on sanford and son