LaWanda Page

LaWanda Page
Page as Aunt Esther in Sanford Arms, 1977
Birth nameAlberta Richmond[1]
Born(1920-10-19)October 19, 1920[2][3]
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.[2]
DiedSeptember 14, 2002(2002-09-14) (aged 81)[4][5]
Hollywood, California, U.S.
Resting placeInglewood Park Cemetery
Medium
Years active1935–1996
Genres
Subject(s)
Notable works and rolesEsther (Aunt Esther) Anderson – Sanford and Son, Sanford Arms and Sanford

LaWanda Page (born Alberta Richmond; October 19, 1920[2] – September 14, 2002)[4][5] was an American actress, comedian and dancer whose career spanned six decades. Crowned "The Queen of Comedy" or "The Black Queen of Comedy",[3] Page melded blue humor, signifyin' and observational comedy with jokes about sexuality, race relations, African-American culture and religion. She released five solo albums, including the 1977 gold-selling Watch It, Sucker!, and collaborated on two albums with the comedy group Skillet, Leroy & Co. As an actress, Page is best known for portraying the Bible-toting and sharp-tongued Esther Anderson on the popular television sitcom Sanford and Son, which aired from 1972 until 1977.[3] Page reprised the role in the short-lived television shows Sanford Arms (1976–1977) and Sanford (1980–1981). She also costarred in the 1979 short-lived series Detective School.[6] Throughout her career, Page advocated for fair pay and equal opportunities for black performers.[7][6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference BLU was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference BLK was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b c Littleton, Darryl J.; Littleton, Tuezdae (September 2012). Comediennes: Laugh Be a Lady - LaWanda Page. Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. pp. 82–84. ISBN 9781480329744.
  4. ^ a b Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2002: Film, Television, Radio, Theatre - LaWanda Page. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. October 24, 2008. ISBN 9780786452071.
  5. ^ a b "JET Magazine - LaWanda Page, 81, Of 'Sanford And Son' Fame Succumbs In Los Angeles - October 7, 2002". books.google.com. Johnson Publishing Company. October 7, 2002.
  6. ^ a b Watkins, Mel (September 18, 2002). "LaWanda Page, 81, the Aunt On TV's 'Sanford and Son'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  7. ^ Lanier, Warren (March 27, 1891). "LaWanda Page Wants More Pay for TV Roles". Philadelphia Tribune.