Personal Info
Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
October 18, 1920
Social Media
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
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood | Old School's Mom |
| 1995 | Friday | Old Lady |
| 1994 | The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder | Self |
| 1993 | CB4 | Grandma |
| 1993 | The Meteor Man | Old Nurse |
| 1991 | Shakes the Clown | Female Clown Barfly |
| 1990 | My Blue Heaven | Hotel Maid |
| 1985 | Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes | |
| 1983 | Good-bye Cruel World | Wilma |
| 1983 | Mausoleum | Elsie |
| 1982 | Zapped! | Mrs. Jones |
| 1981 | Good Evening Captain | Self |
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Special? | Sister Mabel Williams |
| 1977 | Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? | Erna |
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Parent 'Hood | |
| 1992 | Martin | |
| 1990 | Dream On | Eddie's Grandmother |
| 1989 | Family Matters | Elmerita Puckerwood |
| 1985 | Amazing Stories | Aunt Esther |
| 1985 | 227 | |
| 1980 | B.A.D. Cats | |
| 1980 | Sanford | Esther Anderson |
| 1979 | Brothers and Sisters | Hattie |
| 1979 | Detective School | |
| 1978 | Diff'rent Strokes | |
| 1977 | The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour | |
| 1977 | The Love Boat | Stella Marshall |
| 1977 | The Richard Pryor Show | |
| 1977 | Sanford Arms | Aunt Esther Anderson |
| 1975 | Starsky & Hutch | Lady Bessie |
| 1974 | Dinah! | Self |
| 1973 | The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts | Self |
| 1972 | Sanford and Son | Aunt Esther Anderson |