5 Things You Didn’t Know About Angela Lansbury
In a world where everyone is constantly discussing their favorite comfort shows, I’d argue that Angela Lansbury is a comfort actress. She began her film career in the 1940s, appearing in everything from Gaslight to The Manchurian Candidate, but is perhaps best known for her late-career run as crime-solving writer Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. ’90s kids also know her as the voice of Mrs. Potts in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. A celebrated actress and stunning singer, Lansbury was also an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and a supporter of HIV/AIDS charities. In honor of the star, who passed away on Oct. 11, 2022, here’s everything you didn’t know about Angela Lansbury:
1. She Held Two Guinness World Records
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Well, one of the world records belongs to her character Jessica Fletcher for the world’s Most Prolific Amateur Sleuth, since Jessica solved more crimes in TV episodes and films than even Miss Marple.
However, Lansbury also holds a record for the most Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical. In the years before she became a TV star, Lansbury was considered one of the most accomplished musical actresses of her generation and could frequently be found starring on Broadway. She won four Best Actress Tonys, and perhaps most impressively, she won them all in a single decade: for Mame (1969), Dear World (1969), Gypsy (1975) and Sweeney Todd (1979).
2. Her Son Worked With Her on Murder, She Wrote
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Lansbury was married twice. Her first marriage was to Richard Cromwell and lasted only one year, from 1945 to 1946, but her second marriage to Peter Shaw lasted for nearly 53 years until his death in 2003. They had two children together, Anthony and Deirdre, and Angela gained a stepson named David.
Anthony became a television director and directed many episodes of his mother’s series Murder, She Wrote. But Angela’s family showbiz connections don’t stop there: She is also the aunt of actress Emma Thompson.
3. She Was a Homebody
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While it might not be shocking to hear that Lansbury felt this way during her time on Murder, She Wrote — she was in her 60s when she began starring on the show — it was actually how she felt when she was a glamorous young star, too. While many young actors love to be out on the town, Lansbury always preferred a more quiet lifestyle. She once said that she was a homebody, and she loved keeping the house clean, reading, playing tennis, cooking and gardening.
4. She Was Friends With Judy Garland
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Garland and Lansbury met on the set of The Harvey Girls (1946) and became fast friends. Lansbury reportedly offered her support to Garland during her tough times until her death in 1969. She was also very close friends with Golden Girls star Bea Arthur.
5. She Once Played Elvis Presley’s Mom
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If you’ve ever seen the 1961 film Blue Hawaii, you may remember that Lansbury played Elvis Presley‘s character’s mom. What you may not know is that she was only 10 years older than him.
Share any additional fun facts you know about Lansbury in the comments!
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