
LaWanda Page
Personal Info
Known for
Acting
Gender
Female
Birthday
1920-10-18
Day of Death
2002-09-13 (81 years old)
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
Acting
(1996)
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
as Old School's Mom
(1995)
Friday
as Old Lady
(1994)
(1993)
CB4
as Grandma
(1993)
The Meteor Man
as Old Nurse
(1991)
Shakes the Clown
as Female Clown Barfly
(1990)
My Blue Heaven
as Hotel Maid
(1985)
(1983)
Mausoleum
as Elsie
(1983)
Good-bye Cruel World
as Wilma
(1982)
Zapped!
as Mrs. Jones
(1981)
Good Evening Captain
as Self
(1977)
(1977)
The Richard Pryor Special?
as Sister Mabel Williams