LaWanda Page, born Alberta Richmond, was an American actress, comedian, and dancer whose illustrious career spanned an impressive six decades.
Renowned as the "Queen of Comedy" or the "Black Queen of Comedy", Page masterfully blended blue humor, signifyin', and observational comedy to craft jokes that tackled sensitive topics such as sexuality, race relations, African-American culture, and religion.
In addition to her solo endeavors, Page released five solo albums, including the 1977 gold-selling album "Watch It, Sucker!", and collaborated on two albums with the comedy group Skillet, Leroy & Co.
As an actress, Page is most famously recognized for her iconic portrayal of the outspoken and sharp-tongued "Aunt" Esther Anderson in the beloved television sitcom "Sanford and Son", which originally aired from 1972 until 1977. Page reprised this role in the short-lived television shows "Sanford Arms" (1976-1977) and "Sanford" (1980-1981),and co-starred in the 1979 short-lived series "Detective School".
Throughout her remarkable career, Page was a steadfast advocate for fair pay and equal opportunities Black for performers, working tirelessly to promote diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
