Death of Aunt Esther - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

jayman75 · 09-16-2002, 09:46 PM

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.

DarleneIllyria · 09-16-2002, 10:04 PM

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

Pitooey · 09-16-2002, 11:39 PM

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

DarleneIllyria · 09-17-2002, 01:12 AM

Quote:

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?

jayman75 · 09-17-2002, 12:16 PM

Quote:

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...

DarleneIllyria · 09-17-2002, 01:38 PM

Quote:

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.

Fred_G_Sanford · 09-17-2002, 03:28 PM

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

DarleneIllyria · 09-17-2002, 07:06 PM

Quote:

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!

shkarter1985 · 09-22-2002, 02:32 PM

Very shocked

Cheryl Harrell · 09-25-2002, 03:16 PM

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...

09-16-2002, 09:46 PM	#1
jayman75 I Love the 80s! Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 27, 2000 Location: THE GREAT UNITED STATES Posts: 3,809	Death of Aunt Esther 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.

09-16-2002, 10:04 PM	#2
DarleneIllyria Gone Forum Star Join Date: Oct 15, 2000 Posts: 19,086	Oh my stars! 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

09-16-2002, 11:39 PM	#3
Pitooey Member Forum Star Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 15,042	How sad.......... I just saw her on an episode of Martin. She will be missed.
	__________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

09-17-2002, 03:28 PM	#7
Fred_G_Sanford Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Mar 31, 2002 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 4	Sad Sad day for us fish eyed fools... 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
	__________________ "Got my cup of coffee in this hand & the morning paper on my lap it's days like this that make me never want to get off the toilet."

09-22-2002, 02:32 PM	#9
shkarter1985 Member Forum Hawk Join Date: Jul 17, 2002 Location: Greenwood,SC Posts: 4	Very shocked Very shocked
	__________________ Spencer

09-25-2002, 03:16 PM	#10
Cheryl Harrell I Love You Mike 4-Ever Forum Veteran Join Date: Mar 23, 2001 Location: Pixley!!!! Actually VA--USA LOL! Posts: 6,192	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...
	__________________ RIP darling Mike. I love you forever... You are with Freddie Prinze & Jesus now. 1951-2009 "Make it your way, who can beat the Lord, the Son of God. Dear Lord, help me be strong where I am weak, if it be your will"-- The Late Freddie Prinze Sr