Angela Lansbury: A Life Well-Lived

Introduction

Dame Angela Brigid Lansbury (October 16, 1925 – October 11, 2022) was an English actress, singer, and producer. She had a career that spanned over eight decades, and she is best known for her role as Jessica Fletcher in the CBS television series Murder, She Wrote. Lansbury was also a successful stage actress, winning five Tony Awards for her work on Broadway.

Early Life and Career

Angela Lansbury was born in London, England, to Irish actress Moyna MacGill and English politician Edgar Lansbury. Her father died when she was nine years old, and her mother remarried to American actor Charles Troughton. Lansbury and her mother moved to the United States in 1940, and she began her acting career in 1944.

Lansbury's early film roles included Gaslight (1944), The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), and National Velvet (1944). She received her first Academy Award nomination for her supporting role in The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Murder, She Wrote

In 1984, Lansbury began starring in the CBS television series Murder, She Wrote. The series was a critical and commercial success, and it ran for 12 seasons. Lansbury played Jessica Fletcher, a mystery writer who solves crimes in her spare time. The series made Lansbury a household name and earned her 12 Emmy Award nominations.

Stage Career

Lansbury was also a successful stage actress. She won five Tony Awards for her work on Broadway, including best actress in a musical for Mame (1966) and Sweeney Todd (1979). She also starred in Gypsy (1974), The King and I (1975), and Into the Woods (1987).

Personal Life

Lansbury was married twice, first to Richard Cromwell from 1945 to 1946 and then to Peter Shaw from 1949 until his death in 2003. She had two children, Anthony Shaw and Deirdre Shaw.

Lansbury passed away on October 11, 2022, at her home in Los Angeles, California. She was 96 years old.

Legacy

Angela Lansbury was one of the most successful actresses of her generation. She was a talented performer who could play a wide range of roles. She was also a role model for women, and she showed that it is possible to have a long and successful career in the entertainment industry.

Awards and Nominations

• Academy Awards: 3 nominations
• Tony Awards: 5 wins, 7 nominations
• Golden Globe Awards: 18 nominations
• Emmy Awards: 12 nominations

Quotes

• "I've never been afraid of hard work. I think it's the only way to get things done."
• "I've always believed that if you're going to do something, you should do it well."
• "I'm not a star. I'm just an actress."
• "I've had a wonderful life. I've been very lucky."

Timeline

• 1925: Born in London, England
• 1940: Moves to the United States
• 1944: Begins acting career
• 1945: Receives first Academy Award nomination
• 1966: Wins first Tony Award
• 1984: Begins starring in Murder, She Wrote
• 1996: Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences
• 2003: Husband Peter Shaw dies
• 2022: Dies at her home in Los Angeles, California

Related Articles

• Angela Lansbury's Life in Pictures
• The Best of Angela Lansbury
• Angela Lansbury: A Tribute
• Angela Lansbury's Legacy

Table 1: Angela Lansbury's Academy Award Nominations

Table 2: Angela Lansbury's Tony Award Wins

Table 3: Angela Lansbury's Emmy Award Nominations

Stories and What We Learn

• Story 1: Angela Lansbury was born in London, England, in 1925. She began her acting career in 1944, and she went on to star in over 100 films and television shows.
• What we learn: Angela Lansbury was a talented actress who had a long and successful career. She was a role model for women, and she showed that it is possible to achieve great things in the entertainment industry.
• Story 2: Angela Lansbury was married twice, first to Richard Cromwell from 1945 to 1946 and then to Peter Shaw from 1949 until his death in 2003. She had two children, Anthony Shaw and Deirdre Shaw.
• What we learn: Angela Lansbury was a devoted wife and mother. She had a happy and fulfilling personal life.
• Story 3: Angela Lansbury died on October 11, 2022, at her home in Los Angeles, California. She was 96 years old.
• What we learn: Angela Lansbury lived a long and successful life. She was a beloved actress and a role model for women. She will be remembered for her many contributions to the entertainment industry.

FAQs

• What was Angela Lansbury's most famous role?
• Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote
• How many Tony Awards did Angela Lansbury win?
• 5
• How many Emmy Awards was Angela Lansbury nominated for?
• 12
• When did Angela Lansbury die?
• October 11, 2022
• How old was Angela Lansbury when she died?
• 96
• Was Angela Lansbury married?
• Yes, she was married twice.
• Did Angela Lansbury have children?
• Yes, she had two children.

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