LaWanda Page facts for kids
Quick facts for kids LaWanda Page |
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Page as Aunt Esther in Sanford Arms, 1977
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| Birth name | Alberta Peal |
| Born | October 19, 1920 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 14, 2002 (aged 81) Hollywood, California, U.S. |
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| Nationality | American |
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LaWanda Page (born Alberta Peal; October 19, 1920 – September 14, 2002) was an American actress, comedian, and dancer. Her amazing career lasted for over 60 years! People called her "The Queen of Comedy" or "The Black Queen of Comedy."
LaWanda Page was known for her funny jokes about everyday life, race relations, and African-American culture. She released five comedy albums, including Watch It, Sucker!, which sold a lot of copies in 1977. She also worked on two albums with a comedy group called Skillet, Leroy & Co. As an actress, Page is most famous for playing the strong and funny character "Aunt" Esther Anderson. She played Aunt Esther in the popular TV show Sanford and Son from 1972 to 1977. She later played Aunt Esther again in the TV shows Sanford Arms (1976–1977) and Sanford (1980–1981). She also starred in the 1979 show Detective School. Throughout her career, LaWanda Page worked hard to make sure Black performers received fair pay and equal chances.
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Early Life and Dreams
LaWanda Page was born Alberta Peal on October 19, 1920, in Cleveland, Ohio. She had an older sister named Lynn Hamilton. However, this is not the same Lynn Hamilton who acted with Page on Sanford and Son. That was just a rumor.
From a young age, LaWanda knew she wanted to be in show business. She once told a journalist in 1975 that she was "born talented" and never needed singing or dancing lessons. When she was young, her family moved to St. Louis, Missouri. She went to Banneker Elementary School there. This is where she met Redd Foxx, who later played Fred Sanford on Sanford and Son. They both became comedians and performed on stage, often working together on the Chitlin' Circuit.
Her Amazing Career
Dancing and Fire Tricks
LaWanda Page started her show business career at age 15 in St. Louis. She learned how to fire dance. Her act included amazing tricks like pretending to swallow fire, lighting matches with her fingertips, and walking over flames. She sometimes burned herself when she was first learning, but never badly. She once said that if she had to burn to make a living, she was willing to do it!
She was known as "The Bronze Goddess of Fire" or "LaWanda, the Flame Goddess." She performed in small nightclubs in St. Louis. Later, Page moved to Los Angeles, California, likely in the 1950s. There, she worked for 15 years dancing and waiting tables at the Brass Rail Club. She also traveled with her fire dancing act, performing in places like Canada, Brazil, and Japan.
Becoming a Stand-up Comedian
It's not exactly known when LaWanda Page started doing stand-up comedy. She might have started while dancing at the Brass Rail Club. A coworker told her she had a talent for comedy and should try it. She also performed on the Chitlin' Circuit with famous comedians like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. In Los Angeles, Page developed the strong and funny comedy style that made her famous.
In the mid-1960s, Page joined a comedy group called Skillet, Leroy & Co. She recorded five live comedy albums by herself and several others with the group. These albums were often very direct and honest. One of her albums, Watch It, Sucker!, sold a lot of copies. Its title came from a famous line her Aunt Esther character used on TV. LaWanda Page often performed as herself after becoming famous on Sanford and Son. She appeared on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast several times, making fun of celebrities like Frank Sinatra and Betty White.
Acting on Television
Sanford and Son (1973-1977)
LaWanda Page had been performing comedy in nightclubs for years. She was even thinking about leaving show business to care for her mother. But in 1972, Redd Foxx called her. Foxx, who was starring in the new TV show Sanford and Son, wanted his childhood friend Page to audition for a role.
Page thought Foxx was joking and hung up on him twice! But once he convinced her he was serious, she auditioned and got the part of Esther Anderson, also known as "Aunt Esther." She was the sister of Fred Sanford's late wife. At first, the show's producers were worried because Page was used to nightclubs, not TV. They even thought about firing her. But Redd Foxx insisted that Page stay, even threatening to leave the show himself if she was fired. He knew she would be perfect for the role.
Page joined the show in its second season, and her character Aunt Esther became one of the most loved TV characters of the 1970s. People praised her for bringing a strong, church-going character to the show. Aunt Esther was a tough but caring person who wasn't afraid to speak her mind, especially to Fred Sanford. Even though they often argued, they cared deeply for each other and for Lamont, Fred's son. Sanford and Son ran for six successful seasons.
Sanford Arms (1977) and Sanford (1981)
After Sanford and Son ended, LaWanda Page continued playing Aunt Esther in a spin-off show called Sanford Arms. This show focused on a new character, but without Redd Foxx, it didn't do well and was canceled quickly.
In 1980, NBC tried another spin-off called Sanford. Redd Foxx returned to play Fred Sanford, and LaWanda Page joined in 1981 to play Aunt Esther again. However, this show also struggled with low viewership and was canceled mid-season.
Other TV and Movie Roles
LaWanda Page appeared in many other TV shows and movies. In 1977, she was on an episode of The Love Boat. Over the next 20 years, she guest-starred in popular shows like Amen, Martin, 227, Family Matters, and Diff'rent Strokes. She also played Charlene Jenkins in the short-lived 1979 series Detective School.
Page was also in several movies, including Zapped! (1982), My Blue Heaven (1990) with Steve Martin, and Friday (1995). She even appeared in Church's Chicken TV commercials in the late 1990s and early 2000s, using the funny line "Gotta love it!" She also contributed to RuPaul's first album in 1993, including the hit song "Supermodel (You Better Work)".
Her Comedic Style
LaWanda Page was known for her unique and powerful comedic style. She was one of the few women who performed long spoken stories in the style of Black storytelling traditions. Her way of speaking and her rhythm came from Black folklore, everyday language, and Black church sermons. She would often use different voices to make her characters come alive. She also used physical comedy to make her audience laugh. She was great at interacting with her audience, getting them excited as her jokes built up.
Personal Life
LaWanda Page was married and widowed three times. She married her first husband when she was 14, and they had a daughter named Clara. After her third husband passed away when she was in her thirties, she decided not to marry again. LaWanda Page was a religious person. In 1981, she became an evangelist in the Holiness Church. Her daughter, Clara, also became an evangelist preacher.
Later Years and Legacy
LaWanda Page passed away on September 14, 2002, at the age of 81, from a heart attack due to complications from diabetes. She is buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California. Her daughter, Clara Estella Roberta Johnson, passed away in 2006.
LaWanda Page followed in the footsteps of other great comedians like Moms Mabley. She also created her own path, opening doors for future generations of comedians. Comedian Thea Vidale called Page "a trailblazer who was never given the respect she deserved." Not only was Page a pioneer, but she also gave advice and support to others she met. Many people remember her as a kind, warm, and down-to-earth woman who had a lot of history and wisdom to share. Director Donald Welch said that LaWanda "lived the life she loved, and loved the life she lived."
Discography
- Mutha Is Half a Word (1971)
- The Goodly Soul (1971; with Skillet & Leroy)
- Back Door Daddy (1972; with Skillet & Leroy)
- Preach On Sister, Preach On! (1973)
- Pipe Layin' Dan (1973)
- Watch It, Sucker! (1977)
- Sane Advice (1979)
See also
In Spanish: LaWanda Page para niños
