Film and television legend Angela Lansbury, best known for her role in “Murder, She Wrote” and as the voice of Mrs. Pot in “Beauty and the Beast”, has passed away at 96 years old. Her 97th birthday would have been in just 5 days.
Her family reported that she passed away in her sleep on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, at 1:30 AM. She was at her home in Los Angeles.
The late great Angela Lansbury was mostly famous for her iconic role as Jessica Fletcher in the hit TV show “Murder She Wrote.” Ms. Fletcher was a single mother and amateur detective who always managed to crack the case, no matter how difficult it may have been. Amongst all the characters she has played, Lansbury believes that Jessica Fletcher is most like her. The series spanned 12 seasons and was on the air from 1984 to 1996.
”I had a lot of say in it, and I didn’t want the character to be quirky,” she said in 2009. ”I wanted her to be real. I didn’t want to have to put on any kind of veneer for 24 hours a day, which is what a television schedule sometimes feels like.”
Lansbury was a hugely successful actress, winning 5 Tony Awards. She then received a 6th Tony in recognition of her Lifetime Achievement. In 2009, Lansbury won an award for her role in “Blithe Spirit.” Furthermore, she has been inducted into the TV Hall of Fame (1996) and received awards for roles in past productions including “Sweeney Todd” (1979), “Mame” (1966), and “Gypsy”(1975). She was nominated for an Emmy 18 times. In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II bestowed the honor of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire upon her.
Angela Lansbury was born on Oct 16, 1925, in London, England. Moyna Macgill, her mother, was an Irish-born actress who had approximately 25 roles in English and American West End productions. Her father, Edgar Lansbury, worked in the timber industry and was a liberal British politician. Her grandfather, George Lansbury, was also a liberal British politician.
When Angela was young, she loved movies and studied music and acting. However, when the Nazi attacks started in England, Lansbury’s mother moved the family to New York City for safety. At only 17 years old, Angela’s career took off after signing a 7-year contract with MGM for $500 a week. The journey started when she toured with her Mother and made some important contacts before eventually moving to Los Angeles. The 1944 suspense film, “Gaslight” was her first role and she played a devious maid opposite Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman. For this role, she received an Academy Award nomination as best supporting actress.
Ms. Lansbury is survived by three children, Anthony, Deirdre, and David; as well as three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and her brother Edgar Lansbury – a producer. Her husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw, died before her.
