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Sanford and Son Star, LuWanda Page, Dies
AP via YAHOO! ^
| 09/17/02
| AP
Posted on 09/17/2002 2:24:25 PM PDT by bigeasy_70118
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) - LaWanda Page, who played the fearsome, Bible-toting aunt Esther Anderson on the 1970s television comedy "Sanford & Son," has died. She was 81.
Page died Saturday at Centinela Hospital Medical Center from complications of diabetes, friend and producer Donald Welch said Monday.
After the aunt Esther role from 1973 to 1977 on "Sanford & Son," Page appeared as aunt Esther in the short-lived spinoff "The Sanford Arms" in 1977. She also starred in "Detective School" in 1979 and "B.A.D. Cats" in 1980.
Born in Cleveland on Oct. 19, 1920, Page began her show business career as a dancer and chorus girl on the club circuit where she was billed as "The Bronze Goddess of Fire" because she lit cigarettes with her fingertips, swallowed fire and touched flaming torches to her body.
Childhood friend Redd Foxx gave her the biggest break when he recommended her for the aunt Esther role.
She made guest appearances on "Family Matters," "Amen," "227," "Diff'rent Strokes," "Martin" and "In Living Color."
Her movie credits included "Friday," "Meteor Man," "My Blue Heaven" and "CB4."
On stage, she appeared in Welch's gospel musical, "Take It to the Lord ... Or Else!"
Page is survived by a daughter
TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: sanfordandson
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I can't imagine the banter going on between Redd Foxx and LuWanda Page in heaven, right now. Obviously, everyone is laughing.
To: bigeasy_70118
"Watch it, sucka."
2
posted on
09/17/2002 2:25:58 PM PDT
by
dfwgator
To: bigeasy_70118
Aunt Esther was the best!
("Fred Sanford! You no-good heathen!")
RIP Ms. Page!
3
posted on
09/17/2002 2:26:45 PM PDT
by
dead
To: bigeasy_70118
I can't imagine the banter going on between Redd Foxx and LuWanda Page in heaven, right now. 'Hey ugly, 'bout time you showed up!'
'Fred, how did a heathen like you sneak in here?'
4
posted on
09/17/2002 2:28:06 PM PDT
by
steveo
To: bigeasy_70118
Fred:"Yes dear"
Aunt Esther:" Aww, Fred, you called me dear?"
Fred:"Well, you look like Bambi's father!"
Fred: "If we put your face in dough, we could make gorilla cookies!"
5
posted on
09/17/2002 2:33:10 PM PDT
by
Guillermo
To: Guillermo
Fred: "You're ugly in the first degree...with malice aforethought!"
Esther: "You old fool!!"
To: Guillermo
She used to guest on some of the Dean Martin Roasts and she was hillarious!
To: bigeasy_70118
As kids, we'd look forward to Aunt Esther's entrance every episode. She was the best!
8
posted on
09/17/2002 2:43:32 PM PDT
by
Jhensy
To: JessicaDragonet
Fred: Here ya are, Esther, a present for ya.
Esther: Fred, why are you giving me this box of saran-wrap?
Fred: That's your halloween mask!
9
posted on
09/17/2002 2:44:36 PM PDT
by
ez2muz
To: bigeasy_70118
Fred: Esther, why don't you stick your head in the freezer and make an ugly-cicle.
Fred (while planning a wedding): And we'll seat Esther by the band. That way she can stick her head in the tuba.
RIP
10
posted on
09/17/2002 2:48:52 PM PDT
by
PaulJ
To: bigeasy_70118; dead; dfwgator
She'll be missed. Used to watch the show just to watch her fight with Fred
Esther: Well I NEVER!
Fred: With that face you never will.
RIP.
11
posted on
09/17/2002 2:58:20 PM PDT
by
TxBec
To: rdb3; Khepera; elwoodp; MAKnight; condolinda; mafree; Trueblackman; FRlurker; Teacher317; ...
Black conservative pingIf you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)
Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.
12
posted on
09/17/2002 2:59:54 PM PDT
by
mhking
To: bigeasy_70118
She is the reason I watched "Sanford and Son."
13
posted on
09/17/2002 3:00:24 PM PDT
by
lonestar
To: bigeasy_70118
Fred (in an ape costume, hugging Esther): "Hey, look at this... King Kong and the Bride of Frankenstein!"
To: lonestar
Fred, you fish-eyed ol' fool I'm suprised to find you in Heaven too.
People who give the gift of laughter get special consideration, IMHO.
To: bigeasy_70118
Hah Glory!!!
16
posted on
09/17/2002 3:54:12 PM PDT
by
xJones
To: xJones
RIP Lawanda Page...you were one of the finest.....
17
posted on
09/17/2002 4:40:11 PM PDT
by
dutchess
To: dutchess
They sure don't make TV like they used to.I used to watch the show every time,and some of the posts here bring back memories.The shows on nowadays can't compare.
18
posted on
09/17/2002 6:22:50 PM PDT
by
Rocksalt
To: bigeasy_70118
I loved Lawanda page a great actress and comic she was one of a kind.She will be missed.
To: bigeasy_70118
What a sad loss of someone who brought so much laughter and joy in our lives. Dang,... :o(
I agree with another poster on this thread.. they don't make em' like they used to.
God Bless her soul for eternity!!
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