Angela Lansbury was one of the final icons of Hollywood’s Golden Age, with a career spanning nearly eight decades. Renowned for her versatility, she captivated audiences in films like The Manchurian Candidate and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and achieved television immortality as Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. Beyond screen acting, Lansbury was a celebrated stage performer, winning five Tony Awards, and lent her voice to beloved animated classics such as Beauty and the Beast and Anastasia. Her extraordinary contributions to entertainment earned her numerous accolades, including an Honorary Academy Award.
Born in London to an upper-middle-class family, Lansbury’s life took a dramatic turn after her father’s death. Facing financial difficulties, her mother moved the family to the United States during World War II. At just 17, Lansbury signed with MGM and immediately impressed Hollywood with her debut in Gaslight (1944), earning an Oscar nomination. Despite early success, she grew frustrated with being cast in older, supporting roles and left MGM in 1952 to focus on her family, before eventually returning to acting.
During the 1950s and 60s, Lansbury was often cast as characters much older than herself. At 36, she played Elvis Presley’s mother in Blue Hawaii, despite him being only a decade younger. Yet her talent for bringing depth to such roles set her apart, culminating in her chilling performance as a manipulative mother in The Manchurian Candidate (1962), which earned her another Oscar nomination. She later reinvented herself with Murder, She Wrote, advocating for Jessica Fletcher to be portrayed as intelligent and independent—a decision that helped the series achieve worldwide acclaim.
Lansbury’s career brought her immense respect and recognition. She earned three Academy Award nominations, seven Tony Award nominations with five wins, and in 2014 received an Academy Honorary Award for lifetime achievement. Offscreen, she devoted herself to philanthropy, supporting causes for victims of domestic violence and raising awareness about HIV/AIDS, leaving a legacy that extended far beyond her performances.
Her personal life was equally remarkable. She married actor Richard Cromwell at 19, but the marriage ended within a year when he revealed he was gay; they remained close until his death. Her second marriage to actor and producer Peter Shaw lasted 53 years until his passing in 2003. Together, they raised two children and built a strong family that supported her throughout her career. Angela Lansbury passed away on October 11, 2022, at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable performances, resilience, generosity, and grace.
