LaWanda Page

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 AfricanAmerican culture and religion She released five solo albums including the 1977 goldselling 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 Bibletoting and sharptongued 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 shortlived television shows Sanford Arms 19761977 and Sanford 19801981 She also costarred in the 1979 shortlived series Detective School Throughout her career Page advocated for fair pay and equal opportunities for Black performers