LaWanda Page
Acting • Born 1920-10-18 – Died 2002-09-13
Biography
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.
Filmography
35 credits
Shakes the Clown
Movie • 1991
Female Clown Barfly
Friday
Movie • 1995
Old Lady
Good-bye Cruel World
Movie • 1982
Wilma
My Blue Heaven
Movie • 1990
Hotel Maid
CB4
Movie • 1993
Grandma
The Richard Pryor Special?
Movie • 1977
Sister Mabel Williams
Zapped!
Movie • 1982
Mrs. Jones
Mausoleum
Movie • 1983
Elsie
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
Movie • 1994
Self
Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes
Movie • 1985
Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model?
Movie • 1977
Erna
The Meteor Man
Movie • 1993
Old Nurse
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
Movie • 1996
Old School's Mom
Good Evening Captain
Movie • 1981
Self
Talkin' Dirty After Dark
Movie • 1991
Angel / Devil
Amazing Stories
TV • 1985
Aunt Esther
The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour
TV • 1977
Starsky & Hutch
TV • 1975
Lady Bessie
Family Matters
TV • 1989
Elmerita Puckerwood
Sanford and Son
TV • 1972
Aunt Esther Anderson
Dinah!
TV • 1974
Self
The Love Boat
TV • 1977
Stella Marshall
Sanford Arms
TV • 1977
Aunt Esther Anderson
Diff'rent Strokes
TV • 1978
Martin
TV • 1992
Evelyn Porter
Dream On
TV • 1990
Eddie's Grandmother
Detective School
TV • 1979
The Richard Pryor Show
TV • 1977
The Parent 'Hood
TV • 1995
Brothers and Sisters
TV • 1979
Hattie
227
TV • 1985
Sanford
TV • 1980
Esther Anderson
B.A.D. Cats
TV • 1980
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
TV • 1973
Self
Starsky & Hutch
TV • 1975
Mrs. Swayder