LaWanda Page
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.
Known For
The Love Boat
1977
Family Matters
1989
Starsky & Hutch
1975
Starsky & Hutch
1975
Dinah!
1974
Martin
1992
Amazing Stories
1985
Sanford and Son
1972
Dream On
1990
The Parent 'Hood
1995
227
1985
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
1973
Filmography
The Love Boat
as Stella Marshall · 1977
Family Matters
as Elmerita Puckerwood · 1989
Starsky & Hutch
as Lady Bessie · 1975
Starsky & Hutch
as Mrs. Swayder · 1975
Dinah!
as Self · 1974
Martin
as Evelyn Porter · 1992
Amazing Stories
as Aunt Esther · 1985
Sanford and Son
as Aunt Esther Anderson · 1972
Dream On
as Eddie's Grandmother · 1990
The Parent 'Hood
· 1995
227
· 1985
The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts
as Self · 1973
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
as Old School's Mom · 1996
Friday
as Old Lady · 1995
Sanford
as Esther Anderson · 1980
Detective School
· 1979
The Richard Pryor Show
· 1977
Brothers and Sisters
as Hattie · 1979
Zapped!
as Mrs. Jones · 1982
My Blue Heaven
as Hotel Maid · 1990
The Meteor Man
as Old Nurse · 1993
B.A.D. Cats
· 1980
Diff'rent Strokes
· 1978
Sanford Arms
as Aunt Esther Anderson · 1977
CB4
as Grandma · 1993
The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour
· 1977
Talkin' Dirty After Dark
as Angel / Devil · 1991
Amazing Stories: The Movie III
as Aunt Esther Anderson · 1998
Shakes the Clown
as Female Clown Barfly · 1991
The Richard Pryor Special?
as Sister Mabel Williams · 1977
Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model?
as Erna · 1977
Mausoleum
as Elsie · 1983
Good-bye Cruel World
as Wilma · 1982
Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes
· 1985
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
as Self · 1994
Good Evening, Captain
as Self · 1981