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.
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Full filmography
- The Love Boat (1977) as Stella Marshall
- Family Matters (1989) as Elmerita Puckerwood
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Lady Bessie
- Starsky & Hutch (1975) as Mrs. Swayder
- Amazing Stories (1985) as Aunt Esther
- Martin (1992) as Evelyn Porter
- Sanford and Son (1972) as Aunt Esther Anderson
- Dinah! (1974) as Self
- Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) as Old School's Mom
- Dream On (1990) as Eddie's Grandmother
- 227 (1985)
- The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts (1973) as Self
- The Parent 'Hood (1995)
- Friday (1995) as Old Lady
- Sanford (1980) as Esther Anderson
- Brothers and Sisters (1979) as Hattie
- Detective School (1979)
- My Blue Heaven (1990) as Hotel Maid
- Zapped! (1982) as Mrs. Jones
- The Richard Pryor Show (1977)
- Diff'rent Strokes (1978)
- The Meteor Man (1993) as Old Nurse
- B.A.D. Cats (1980)
- CB4 (1993) as Grandma