LaWanda Page
LaWanda Page was born on this date in 1920. She was a Black comedic character actress.
Born in Cleveland and raised in St. Louis, Page began her career as a dancer and chorus girl billed as “the Bronze Goddess of Fire” and later became a stand-up comic. Her greatest fame began in the 1950s when comedian Redd Foxx, a childhood friend, asked her to join his Norman Lear sitcom adapted from the British series “Steptoe and Son.” Page signed on as Fred Sanford's crusty sister-in-law, Esther Anderson, in 1973 and stayed with “Sanford and Son” until the series ended in 1977.
She reprised the role in two short-lived spin-offs, “The Sanford Arms” in 1977 and Foxx's “Sanford” in 1980. The same year, she also made guest appearances on Foxx's variety show, “The Redd Foxx Comedy Hour. " She also made television commercials, including a well-received one for Atlanta-based Church's Fried Chicken.
LaWanda Page, 81, best known for her role as the Bible-thumping Aunt Esther in the 1970s TV hit “Sanford and Son,” died September 14, 2002, in Los Angeles of complications from diabetes.
