Esther Anderson

Esther Winfield-Anderson, known and feared as "Aunt Esther", is a fictional character in the television series, Sanford and Son. She was played by the late actress LaWanda Page, a long-time friend of Redd Foxx; she was Foxx's first and only choice to play Aunt Esther. At first, Fred's main foil on the show was in his sister-in-law and Lamont's aunt, Ethel (Beah Richards). Ethel's involvement in the Sanford's family squabbles lasted only midway th... more

Esther Winfield-Anderson, known and feared as "Aunt Esther", is a fictional character in the television series, Sanford and Son. She was played by the late actress LaWanda Page, a long-time friend of Redd Foxx; she was Foxx's first and only choice to play Aunt Esther. At first, Fred's main foil on the show was in his sister-in-law and Lamont's aunt, Ethel (Beah Richards). Ethel's involvement in the Sanford's family squabbles lasted only midway through the second season, whereupon was replaced with her more tart-tongued sister, Esther. Fred and Esther's relationship as in-laws went on to become a major part of the series' legend, as Fred loved to put down Esther on a regular basis with a burning passion. Esther's disdain for Fred stemmed back to when he and Elizabeth were dating; she had disapproved of Fred marrying her sister. He would often contort his face upon Esther's entrance and make disparaging remarks to her, comparing her with King Kong and Godzilla and using colorful... less