I just found this on Yahoo Entertainment News:

'Sanford & Son' Actress Page Dies
Mon Sep 16, 8:50 PM ET

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.

That is so sad. I liked LaWanda. Thank you posting it Jayman, because I had absolutely no idea she had died. :(

R.I.P LaWanda

How sad.......... I just saw her on an episode of Martin. She will be missed. :(

Originally posted by JennyLee22
How sad.......... I just saw her on an episode of Martin. She will be missed. :(

I saw her on Diff'rent Strokes a few weeks ago.

Am I being a dork about this or something. If a celeb I like a little dies, it just saddens me so much. Like when Carroll O' Connor died, I cried so hard. I didn't even know Carroll O' Connor on a personal level. I just saw him in reruns. It was like Archie Bunker was a relative of mine. The way I carried on with Carroll's death, you would've thought he was a relative of mine.

Does anybody else act this way if one of their favorite celebs dies?

Originally posted by Jenny
I saw her on Diff'rent Strokes a few weeks ago.

Am I being a dork about this or something. If a celeb I like a little dies, it just saddens me so much. Like when Carroll O' Connor died, I cried so hard. I didn't even know Carroll O' Connor on a personal level. I just saw him in reruns. It was like Archie Bunker was a relative of mine. The way I carried on with Carroll's death, you would've thought he was a relative of mine.

Does anybody else act this way if one of their favorite celebs dies?

One celebrity that got me was Jack Lemmon. I had just seen "Tuesday's with Morrie," and he played a dying cancer victim in the film. When I heard he passed, I really just had a hard time accepting it. He was a really great actor.

I think I'm going to steal your topic Jenny and ask this on the sitcom general discussion board. I'm sure there will be a large response to it. I'll give you credit though... :)

Originally posted by jayman75
One celebrity that got me was Jack Lemmon. I had just seen "Tuesday's with Morrie," and he played a dying cancer victim in the film. When I heard he passed, I really just had a hard time accepting it. He was a really great actor.

I think I'm going to steal your topic Jenny and ask this on the sitcom general discussion board. I'm sure there will be a large response to it. I'll give you credit though... :)

Jayman, I just saw your topic on General. I plan on replying to it. By the way, you have cool Mindy pics in your sig and avator. :)

I wonder if Fred, Grady, Bubba, & Skillet greeted Esther when she entered the pearly gates? I can just hear Fred now, handing her a piece of glad wrap and telling her to hold it to her face. She say's "what's this for heathen?" Fred replies..."that's your Halloween Mask!

I miss this show dearly, thank god for the DVD series and god bless these legendary characters.

RIP Esther...

A longtime fan since I was a kid!
Brian

Originally posted by Fred_G_Sanford
I wonder if Fred, Grady, Bubba, & Skillet greeted Esther when she entered the pearly gates? I can just hear Fred now, handing her a piece of glad wrap and telling her to hold it to her face. She say's "what's this for heathen?" Fred replies..."that's your Halloween Mask!

I miss this show dearly, thank god for the DVD series and god bless these legendary characters.

RIP Esther...

A longtime fan since I was a kid!
Brian

I was thinking the same thing. I could just imagine the insults going on right about now. lol

Welcome to the board Brian! :)

Very shocked :(

I heard the sad news the other day on a Soul Oldies radio station. They said she died of diabetes. That is sad cuz my hubby & I both have it real bad. I know what she must've went thru...

I saw her awhile back on an episode of AMEN. She was married to someone from Sanford & Son I think like Grady I think in that episode. Her character was kinda a hussy like if ya know what I mean LOL!

Sorry to hear about her...