LaWanda Page

Birthday: 1920-10-18
Deathday: 2002-09-13
Birthplace:
Gender: Female
Owned By: Unowned

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.

Credits

Year Title Character
1996-01-12 Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood Old School's Mom
1995-04-26 Friday Old Lady
1993-08-06 The Meteor Man Old Nurse
1993-03-12 CB4 Grandma
1991-08-28 Shakes the Clown Female Clown Barfly
1990-08-17 My Blue Heaven Hotel Maid
1985-08-31 Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes
1983-05-01 Mausoleum Elsie
1983-01-02 Good-bye Cruel World Wilma
1982-07-23 Zapped! Mrs. Jones
1977-05-05 The Richard Pryor Special? Sister Mabel Williams
1977-01-16 Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? Erna
1977-01-01 The Complete Richard Pryor Roast