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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

7.0

Old School's Mom

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

1996

7.1

Old Lady

Friday

1995

7.3

The Parent 'Hood

1995

0.0

Self

The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

1994

5.8

Old Nurse

The Meteor Man

1993

6.0

Grandma

CB4

1993

7.6

Martin

1992

5.4

Female Clown Barfly

Shakes the Clown

1991

6.1

Hotel Maid

My Blue Heaven

1990

6.9

Eddie's Grandmother

Dream On

1990

Credits

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood

as Old School's Mom

1996

7.0

Friday

as Old Lady

1995

7.1

The Parent 'Hood

1995

7.3

The Legend of Dolemite! Bigger & Badder

as Self

1994

0.0

The Meteor Man

as Old Nurse

1993

5.8

CB4

as Grandma

1993

6.0

Martin

1992

7.6

Shakes the Clown

as Female Clown Barfly

1991

5.4

My Blue Heaven

as Hotel Maid

1990

6.1

Dream On

as Eddie's Grandmother

1990

6.9

Family Matters

as Elmerita Puckerwood

1989

6.7

Amazing Stories

as Aunt Esther

1985

7.4

227

1985

6.8

Women Tell the Dirtiest Jokes

1985

0.0

Mausoleum

as Elsie

1983

5.0

Good-bye Cruel World

as Wilma

1983

2.8

Zapped!

as Mrs. Jones

1982

5.2

🎬

Good Evening Captain

as Self

1981

0.0

Sanford

as Esther Anderson

1980

5.5

B.A.D. Cats

1980

5.0

Detective School

1979

5.5

Brothers and Sisters

as Hattie

1979

5.5

Diff'rent Strokes

1978

7.0

The Love Boat

as Stella Marshall

1977

6.3

Sanford Arms

as Aunt Esther Anderson

1977

5.0

The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour

1977

0.0

The Richard Pryor Show

1977

6.4

The Richard Pryor Special?

as Sister Mabel Williams

1977

7.0

Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model?

as Erna

1977

0.0

Starsky & Hutch

as Lady Bessie

1975

7.2

Dinah!

as Self

1974

6.7

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts

as Self

1973

5.4

Sanford and Son

as Aunt Esther Anderson

1972

7.4