Gina Heslop
Angela Lansbury, a beloved Hollywood actress, passed away just five days before her 97th birthday.
She was born on October 16, 1925, in London, and her career in film, television, and theater spanned more than 80 years. Lansbury was widely recognized for her exceptional talent and received numerous awards throughout her lifetime.
She made her Hollywood debut in 1944 with the movie Gaslight, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. A year later, she starred in The Picture of Dorian Gray and won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Her success continued in the theater world, where she won her first Tony Award in 1966 for her lead role in the Broadway musical Mame. She also became well-known for voicing animated characters, such as Mrs. Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (1991) and a role in Anastasia (1997).
However, her most famous role was Jessica Fletcher in the long-running television series Murder, She Wrote, which aired on CBS from 1984 to 1995. She not only starred in the show but also served as its executive producer.
Over the years, Lansbury received many prestigious awards, including an Honorary Academy Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from BAFTA, a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award, five Tony Awards, six Golden Globes, and an Olivier Award.
She was also nominated for 18 Emmy Awards and a Grammy. In 2014, Queen Elizabeth II honored her by making her a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
Angela Lansbury passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Los Angeles, California, on October 11, 2022, at the age of 96. Her family confirmed the news, stating that she died at 1:30 a.m.
She was survived by her three children: David, Anthony, and Deirdre Shaw, as well as three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and her brother, Edgar Lansbury. Her husband, Peter Shaw, had passed away in 2003 after 53 years of marriage.
Although her family did not specify an exact cause of death, it was suggested that she died of natural causes. Lansbury had undergone knee replacement surgery in 2005 due to issues caused by her early dance career.
She had also undergone hip replacement surgery in 1994. In the later years of her life, she struggled with arthritis, which limited some of her favorite activities, such as gardening.
However, she remained active in other ways, enjoying cooking, reading, and solving crossword puzzles. She believed in staying positive and maintaining a youthful spirit despite her age.
Lansbury also revealed in interviews that she had started smoking at 14 years old but quit 30 years before her death. Reflecting on her long career, she expressed pride in her work, particularly Murder, She Wrote.
She believed the show was successful because it was family-friendly and always provided a satisfying mystery. Even though she was nominated for an Emmy for each season of the show, she never won, which she admitted was frustrating.
However, she remained grateful for her long and impactful career, which made her a beloved figure in entertainment history.
Angela Lansbury’s legacy continues to live on through her work, and she is remembered as one of the most talented and respected actresses in Hollywood.
