LaWanda Page
Born
October 18, 1920
Died
September 13, 2002 (81 years old)
Known For
Acting
Place of Birth
LaWanda Page (born Alberta Richmond; October 19, 1920 – September 14, 2002) was an American actress, comedian, and dancer whose career spanned six decades.
Crowned "The Queen of Comedy" or "The Black Queen of Comedy", Page melded blue humor, signifyin', and observational comedy to jokes about sexuality, race relations, African-American culture, and religion. She released five solo albums, including the 1977 gold-selling Watch It, Sucker!.
She also collaborated on two albums with comedy group Skillet, Leroy & Co. As an actress, Page is best known for portraying the Bible-toting and sharp-tongued "Aunt" Esther Anderson in the popular television sitcom Sanford and Son, which originally aired from 1972 until 1977. Page later reprised this role in the short-lived television shows Sanford Arms (1976–1977) and Sanford (1980–1981). She also co-starred in the 1979 short-lived series Detective School.
Throughout her career, Page advocated for fair pay and equal opportunities for Black performers.
Known For
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Old School's Mom
1996
Friday
Old Lady
1995
The Parent 'Hood
(1 episode)
1995
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Self
1994
The Meteor Man
Old Nurse
1993
CB4
Grandma
1993
Martin
(4 episodes)
1992
Shakes the Clown
Female Clown Barfly
1991
My Blue Heaven
Hotel Maid
1990
Dream On
Eddie's Grandmother · (2 episodes)
1990
Family Matters
Elmerita Puckerwood · (1 episode)
1989
Amazing Stories
Aunt Esther · (1 episode)
1985
227
(1 episode)
1985
Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes
1985
Mausoleum
Elsie
1983
Good-bye Cruel World
Wilma
1983
Zapped!
Mrs. Jones
1982
Good Evening Captain
Self
1981
Sanford
Esther Anderson · (26 episodes)
1980
B.A.D. Cats
(8 episodes)
1980
Detective School
(23 episodes)
1979
Brothers and Sisters
Hattie · (1 episode)
1979
Diff'rent Strokes
(1 episode)
1978
The Love Boat
Stella Marshall · (1 episode)
1977
Sanford Arms
Aunt Esther Anderson · (8 episodes)
1977
The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour
(1 episode)
1977
The Richard Pryor Show
(5 episodes)
1977
The Richard Pryor Special?
Sister Mabel Williams
1977
Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model?
Erna
1977
Starsky & Hutch
Lady Bessie · (2 episodes)
1975
Dinah!
Self · (1 episode)
1974
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
Self · (2 episodes)
1973
Sanford and Son
Aunt Esther Anderson · (48 episodes)
1972