Esther Anderson (fictional character)

Esther Anderson
Esther Winfield-Anderson
First appearance	"The Big Party"
Last appearance	"Here Comes the Bride: Part Two"
Created by	Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, based on Albert Steptoe created by Galton and Simpson
Portrayed by	LaWanda Page
Information
Gender	Female
Occupation	Deaconess
Family	Elroy Winfield (father) Essie Winfield (mother)
Spouse(s)	Woodrow "Woody" Anderson
Children	Clifford Daniel "Cliff" Anderson (son) (adopted)
Relatives	Elizabeth Winfield Sanford (sister; deceased) Flossie Winfield (sister) Ethel Winfield (sister) Minnie Winfield (sister) Ellen Winfield (sister) Hazel Winfield (sister) Rosetta Winfield (sister) Elsie Winfield (sister) Fred Sanford (brother-in-law) Edgar (brother-in-law) Jake (brother-in-law) Paul (brother-in-law) Lamont Sanford (nephew) Elizabeth (niece)

Esther Winfield Anderson, known and feared as Aunt Esther, is a fictional character from the television series, Sanford and Son. She was played by actress LaWanda Page, an acquaintance of the series' star, Redd Foxx. Page was Foxx's first and only choice to play Esther.

At first, Fred's main enemy on the show was in his sister-in-law and Lamont's aunt, Ethel (Beah Richards). Ethel's involvement in the Sanfords' family squabbles lasted only midway through the second season, whereupon she 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 each time Esther appeared, Fred would insult her and audiences were drawn to the show in greater numbers. Conversely, 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. Esther would refer to Fred as an "old heathen." Despite his stubbornness, Fred would sometimes redeem himself with acts of kindness toward Esther.

Esther Anderson is the Bible-toting sister-in-law of Fred Sanford. She is a staunchly religious Baptist who finds little use for humor and often criticizes Fred. Elizabeth, Esther's younger sister, was married to Fred, and Esther and the rest of the Winfield family were against the marriage from the outset. However, Esther often expressed that if anything good came out of the marriage it was her nephew, Fred's son, Lamont.

Lamont adored his aunt Esther, and would, against Fred's and Grady's wishes, allow her to stay in their house and often defended her against their insults. Since Esther and her family were the only real connection he had to his late mother, Lamont welcomed her often. She, in turn, was there to counsel Lamont on his life, and did her best to help him to get out of living in his father's junkyard house. She did so because she felt that Elizabeth would not have wanted Lamont, whom Esther felt was very intelligent, to remain in such a limited life.

Fred responded to Esther's entrances by making exaggerated grimaces. He would then proceed to insult her, likening her to animals and fictitious movie monsters. Fred often focused on Esther's looks, once telling her, "I could stick your face in some dough and make gorilla cookies!" He also often insulted her by calling her "ugly" and pronouncing it Ug-leee!.