The Untold Truth About Redd Foxx and LaWanda Page

Dave Sundstrom November 3, 8:19 pm

SANFORD AND SON, from left: LaWanda Page, Redd Foxx, 'The Engagement Man Always Rings Twice', (Season 5 | Episode 20, aired 20 February 1976), 1972-77. — Gene Trindl/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

What To Know

Redd Foxx and LaWanda Page, famous for their on-screen rivalry, were actually lifelong friends.
Despite LaWanda Page’s initial struggles adapting to sitcom acting, Redd Foxx fiercely defended her.
Thanks to Foxx’s support, Page thrived in her role, and Aunt Esther became an iconic character.

No one, and I mean, no one, could give Fred Sanford a crusty “evil eye” look like Aunt Esther. Without a doubt, she was Fred Sanford’s number one nemesis on the classic TV show Sanford and Son that ran on NBC during the ’70s. Fred and Esther were born to duel each other, and you know what? Their unique relationship was one of the things that made the show so much darn fun. And because Aunt Esther was a fan favorite, actress LaWanda Page would not only play the character on Sanford and Son, but also on the spinoffs, The Sanford Arms and Sanford.

The untold truth, however, about these two actors is that they were nothing like the characters they played on TV. In fact, LaWanda and Redd had been friends since they were very young, long before they were in show business, when they were just a couple of students at the same St. Louis High School. After graduating, they both went their separate ways, but they never stopped being friends.

LaWanda found work as a chorus girl and a dancer. She gained a small amount of notoriety as the “Bronze Goddess of Fire,” where she would do all sorts of crazy tricks with fully lit torches. But as time went on, it became clear that comedy was her thing, and slowly but surely, she began to make a name for herself as one of the funniest ladies around. Still, most of America had no idea who LaWanda Page was.

Then, one day, LaWanda received a fateful call from an old friend, a call that would change her life. On the other end of the line was Redd, and he told LaWanda about a new show called Sanford and Son that he was working on with producer Norman Lear. And he thought she should come out and audition for a role that seemed perfect for her.

SANFORD AND SON, from left: LaWanda Page, Redd Foxx, on set, 'The Engagement Man Always Rings Twice ', (Season 5 | Episode 20, aired 20 February 1976), 1972-77.

Gene Trindl/TV Guide/courtesy Everett Collection

Now, it would be fun to say, “And the rest is television history.” But the reality is that it wasn’t smooth sailing. When taping for Sanford and Son began, it became readily apparent during rehearsals that LaWanda, who, according to The Los Angeles Times, was in her 50s and had zero understanding of the ins and outs of performing on a TV sitcom. She’d been more accustomed to performing in nightclubs and such. She was the “Bronze Goddess of Fire” for heck’s sake! And she was really struggling in front of the cameras.

When one of the producers told Redd that he was considering letting LaWanda go, he would have none of that. He was adamant that LaWanda play the part and threatened to walk away from the entire TV series, even before it started, if she were to be fired.

Truthfully. I just don’t know if you see that kind of loyalty anymore in the world of entertainment or anywhere else, for that matter. It really is a darn shame.

When given the opportunity, let’s all commit to being more like Redd Foxx. It’s a phrase that I never thought I’d say, but it’s 100% true. We can be like Redd or anyone else who was or is fiercely loyal to their friends and family. Redd had faith in LaWanda. He knew what she was capable of, and he was willing to risk his career, or at the very least, his new show, to see her be successful.

And succeed she did, here’s how journalist and blogger, Trav S.D. described LaWanda’s most famous character in a 2019 post about her: “Aunt Esther was a church lady who valued uprightness and called anyone who didn’t toe the line ‘heathens.’ Yet, when pushed (and it didn’t take much to push her), she revealed herself to be a wild woman who’d kill you if someone nearby didn’t hold her arms down.”

When all is said and done, Redd’s unwavering loyalty to LaWanda was a true blessing to all. It protected his friend, it made the show better, and it allowed Aunt Esther to become the television legend she was born to be. Without a doubt, sometimes the greatest battles that we witness on-screen are fueled by the strongest and most inspiring off-screen bonds.