The legendary Dame Angela Lansbury has passed away. The Broadway icon and star of the long running television series Murder She Wrote was 96.
The sad news was confirmed by her family in a statement:
“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. In addition to her three children, Anthony, Deirdre and David, she is survived by three grandchildren, Peter, Katherine and Ian, plus five great grandchildren and her brother, producer Edgar Lansbury. She was proceeded in death by her husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw.
A private family ceremony will be held at a date to be determined.”
She was known and respected as a Broadway star, and took him a Tony Away for her work as Nellie Lovett on Sweeney Todd. She also won Tony Awards for her performances in Gypsy, Dear World, Mame, and others.
Ms. Lansbury was also beloved for her work on Murder She Wrote, as well as for voicing Mrs. Potts in the original Beauty And The Beast.
Throughout her stellar career, she received an Honorary Academy Award, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the BAFTA, a Lifetime Achievement Tony Award and five more Tony Awards, six Golden Globes, and an Olivier Award.
Celebrities took to social media to pay tribute to the great actress.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson:
“I’ll never forget sitting next to Angela Lansbury at an opening night. Even though I had to pee I refused to leave my seat during intermission. I spent the 15 minutes chatting with her instead. She was incredibly lovely and I’m so glad I had that brief time with her. RIP Angela.”
George Takei:
“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.”
Kevin McKidd:
“I will NEVER forget the magical night I got to perform in front of and get to MEET the legend, Angela Lansbury. She was a true giant and a kind, humble and charming person. I’m blessed to have met her. Rest In Peace”
Jason Alexander:
“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.”
Uzo Aduba:
“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.”
Jennifer Beals:
“I can’t even begin to tell you the countless times I’ve been so tired on a night shoot and tried to channel my inner, inexhaustible Angela Lansbury. Her stamina and brilliance were worshipful.”
Kathy Griffin:
‘I cannot tell you how many ladies and Gayes are crushed, moved and feeling nostalgic about something in the past with the news of the passing of the fabulous Dame Angela Lansbury.”
Morgan Fairchild:
“The most versatile, talented & kind lady in theater & film has passed. I was so honored to do Murder She Wrote with her & to work on charities & issues with her. So talented, gracious & an amazing human being. We’ve lost a great one. Condolences to her family.”
Piper Perabo:
“Angela Lansbury was not only a wonderful actor, she had a generous and kind heart.”
Harvey Fierstein:
“Angela Lansbury – Shy, my darlings, was EVERYTHING!”
Josh Gad:
“It is rare that one person can touch multiple generations, creating a breadth of work that defines decade after decade. Angela Lansbury was that artist. From “Mame” to “Bedknobs” to “Murder She Wrote” to “B&TB” to “Mary Poppins Returns” she touched 4 generations. RIP Legend.”
