LaWanda Page
Actor
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
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
as Old School's Mom 1996
My Blue Heaven
as Hotel Maid 1990
The Meteor Man
as Old Nurse 1993
Zapped!
as Mrs. Jones 1982
CB4
as Grandma 1993
Shakes the Clown
as Female Clown Barfly 1991
Mausoleum
as Elsie 1983
Talkin' Dirty After Dark
as Angel / Devil 1991
Good-bye Cruel World
as Wilma 1982
The Richard Pryor Special?
as Sister Mabel Williams 1977
The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder
as Self 1994
Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes
1985
Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model?
as Erna 1977