Angela Lansbury, the British-American actress and one of the last stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, enjoyed a career spanning nearly 80 years. She became a household name through her work in iconic films such as The Manchurian Candidate and Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and for her legendary role as Jessica Fletcher in the long-running TV series Murder, She Wrote. Lansbury’s talents extended to the stage, earning her five Tony Awards, and to voice acting in animated classics like Beauty and the Beast and Anastasia. Over her lifetime, she garnered numerous accolades, including an Honorary Academy Award in recognition of her immense contribution to the arts.

Born in London into an upper-middle-class family, Lansbury faced early challenges after her father’s death left her mother struggling financially. The family eventually moved to the United States to escape the London Blitz. Lansbury’s Hollywood journey began at just 17 when she signed with MGM. Her first major role in Gaslight (1944) earned her an Oscar nomination and established her as a rising star. However, frustration with being typecast in supporting roles as women older than her age led her to leave MGM in 1952 and focus on her family.

Returning to acting, Lansbury continued to be typecast, often playing villainous or mature women. At 36, she portrayed Elvis Presley’s mother in Blue Hawaii, though he was only 26. Her acclaimed role as Laurence Harvey’s manipulative mother in The Manchurian Candidate (1962) earned her a third Academy Award nomination. In her 60s, she found her most celebrated role as Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, shaping the character into a clever, dynamic detective, which contributed greatly to the show’s enduring popularity.

Throughout her career, Lansbury achieved remarkable professional recognition. She received three Academy Award nominations, seven Tony Award nominations, and ultimately five wins, along with the honorary Oscar in 2014. Beyond acting, she was deeply philanthropic, supporting causes for domestic abuse victims and HIV/AIDS awareness. Her dedication to her craft and her charitable work cemented her status as an influential and beloved figure in both entertainment and humanitarian circles.

Lansbury’s personal life was as rich as her career. A brief first marriage to actor Richard Cromwell ended in less than a year, though they remained close friends. In 1949, she married actor and producer Peter Shaw, with whom she shared 53 years of marriage and two children. Shaw was a steadfast supporter of her career until his death in 2003, after which Lansbury mourned deeply but cherished the memories of their life together. Angela Lansbury passed away on October 11, 2022, at the age of 96, leaving behind a remarkable legacy in film, television, and theater.