Angela Lansbury, star of ‘Murder, She Wrote,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ dies at 96
ByTheresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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ByTheresa Seiger, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Legendary actor Angela Lansbury, who starred for more than a decade as Jessica Fletcher in the crime drama “Murder, She Wrote” and voiced Mrs. Potts in 1991′s “Beauty and the Beast,” died Tuesday, family members said in a statement. She was 96.
“The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1:30 AM today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday,” family members said in a statement obtained by NBC News and Broadway World.
She is survived by her brother, producer Edgar Lansbury; her children, Anthony, Deirdre and David; three grandchildren, Peter, Katherine and Ian; and five great-grandchildren, according to the statement.
“She was proceeded in death by her husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw,” family members said. “A private family ceremony will be held at a date to be determined.”
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Angela Lansbury through the years Actress Angela Lansbury attends a special screening and panel discussion of "Beauty and the Beast" to celebrate the animated film's 25th anniversary on May 9, 2016 at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in Beverly Hills, California. / AFP / ROBYN BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years Actress Angela Lansbury after her wedding to actor Peter Shaw (1918 - 2003) at the Chapel of St Columba's Church House in Lennox Gardens, Kensington, London, 12th August 1949. (Photo by Fred Ramage/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) (Fred Ramage/Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years CANADA - SEPTEMBER 12: Couldn't have share. British actress Angela Lansbury; who came to Hollywood fourt year ago; is seen leaving court after obtaining a divorce from he actor husband; Richard Cromwell. The 21-year-old star said Cromwell told her to get a divorce and gave as his reason: I can't share my life with anyone. (Photo by Toronto Star Archives/Toronto Star via Getty Images) (Toronto Star Archives/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years NEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Actresses Bernadette Peters (L) and Angela Lansbury appear on stage during the Actors' Fund of America gala at the Waldorf Astoria October 30, 2004 in New York City. (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) (Scott Gries/Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 6: Actress Anjelica Huston (L), posing with actress Angela Lansbury, receives an Honorary Degree at the National University of Ireland, Galway's "Honorary Degree Conferring Ceremony" at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 6, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years Angela Lansbury and Christopher Plummer during 2007 Tony Award Nominee Press Reception at The Marriott Marquis in New York, New York, United States. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic) (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - OCTOBER 2: Actress Angela Lansbury, actress Janet Leigh and actress Jamie Leigh Curtis attend the University of the Pacific's Pantheon of the Arts Award Salute to Jamie Lee Curtis and Janet Leigh on October 2, 1998 at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years Angela Lansbury during 41st Annual Tony Awards at Hellinger Theater in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years The entire cast of the show 'Gypsy' celebrated the 100th performance by going for a boat trip up the Thames to Kew. The two stars, Angela Lansbury and Zan Charisse, with kids from the show, 2nd September 1973. (Photo by Eric Harlow/Mirrorpix/Getty Images) (Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years Gregory Peck and Angela Lansbury attend a benefit dinner-dance event at Barney's in New York City on September 25, 1979. (Photo by Dustin Pittman/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images) (Dustin Pittman/Penske Media via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 22: (L-R) Lee Remick, actress Angela Lansbury and Bea Arthur attend Television Academy Gala Honoring Angela Lansbury on February 22, 1990 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Actress Angela Lansbury attends the after party for the "Blithe Spirit" Broadway opening night at Sardi's on March 15, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images) (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years Patti LuPone and Angela Lansbury **Exclusive Coverage** ***Exclusive*** (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic) (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 28: Actors James Earl Jones (L) and Angela Lansbury attend the 2015 American Theatre Wing's Gala at The Plaza Hotel on September 28, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images) (Mark Sagliocco/Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years Angela Lansbury attends Pacific Center For HIV/AIDS Counseling Benefit at the Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles, California on September 19, 1992. (Photo by Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) (Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years PASADENA, CA - SEPTEMBER 22: Angela Lansbury arrives at The 37th Primetime Emmy Awards on September22, 1985 at Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena, California. (Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images) (ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Angela Lansbury through the years NEW YORK - MARCH 24: Angela Lansbury and Julie Andrews pose backstage at "Blithe Spirit" on Broadway at The Shubert Theater on March 24, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic) (Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic via Getty Images)
Born to Irish actress Moyna Macgill and lumber merchant Edgar Lansbury in London in 1925, Angela Lansbury became known for her decadeslong career on screen and on Broadway, according to People. She studied at the Webber Douglas School of Singing and Dramatic Art in London before moving to New York with her family in 1940.
Four years later, when she was 17, she launched her acting career with a starring role in the psychological thriller “Gaslight.” Her performance earned her the first of several Oscar nominations.
In 1957, she made her Broadway debut in “Hotel Paradiso.” During her career, she won five Tony Awards for her performances in “Mame” (1966), “Dear World” (1969), “Gypsy” (1975), “Sweeney Todd” (1979) and “Blithe Spirit” (2009), according to The Associated Press. Earlier this year, at the 75th annual Tony Awards, she was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Angela Lansbury’s contributions to the stage are insurmountable,” Charlotte St. Martin, president of The Broadway League and Heather Hitchens, president and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, said in a joint statement in May. “From her groundbreaking role in ‘Mame’ to her iconic performances in ‘Deuce’ and ‘Sweeney Todd,’ and most recently, in the revival of ‘A Little Night Music,’ Ms. Lansbury has given us a lifetime of unforgettable performances.”
She was nominated for 15 Golden Globe Awards in her career, winning six for “Murder She Wrote” (1984-1996), “The Picture of Dorian Grey” (1945) and “The Manchurian Candidate” (1962).
Fans took to social media to remember Lansbury.
Angela Lansbury, who graced the stage for decades winning five Tony awards and brought the sleuthing Jessica Fletcher into our living rooms for a dozen years, has passed. A tale old as time, our beloved Mrs. Potts will sing lullabies to us now from the stars. Rest, great soul.
2012. And this VERY excited #theaterkid got to meet her, after one of our shows at Godspell. She poured so much love into each of us. An icon of the stage, and legend across so many mediums but, we all knew…she was always one of us :). Thank you, Angela Lansbury. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/mug68Qg0WR
I cannot tell you how many ladies and gays are crushed, moved and feeling nostalgic about something in the past with the news of the passing of the fabulous Dame Angela Lansbury.
The great Angela Lansbury - one of the most versatile, talented, graceful, kind, witty, wise, classy ladies I’ve ever met has left us. Her huge contribution to the arts and the world remains always. #ripAngelaLansbury