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