Which actress played Esther Anderson in "Sanford and Son"?

The answer is: LaWanda Page

LaWanda Page owned the role of Esther Anderson, Fred Sanford's Bible-thumping, fire-and-brimstone sister-in-law who never missed a chance to remind him he was headed straight for eternal damnation. What many fans don't know is that Page and Redd Foxx were actually childhood friends from St. Louis. Before her comedy career, she had performed as a dancer under the name "The Bronze Goddess of Fire," famous for a dangerous act that included lighting cigarettes with her fingers and blowing fire.

The network initially wanted to recast her after a rough first audition, but Foxx threatened to walk if they didn't give his old friend another chance. Page nailed it the second time around, and television history was made. Her piercing cry of "Watch it, sucker!" became one of the show's most quotable catchphrases, matched only by her ability to transform from sweet church lady to formidable adversary the moment Fred opened his mouth. Their genuine off-screen friendship helped create an on-screen chemistry that made their characters' mutual hatred absolutely electric.