According to a statement from her family, Angela Lansbury, a well-known actress and the iconic star of Murder, She Wrote, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 96. “The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are devastated to announce that their mother passed away quietly in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1:30 AM today, Tuesday, October 11,” said a statement from her family.
The legendary actress died five days before her 97th birthday. The actor, who was born in London, had a distinguished career during which she received five Tony Awards, most recently in 2009 for her performance in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit for best featured actress in a play. She was most recognised for her role as the spooky pie maker Nellie Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on the Great White Way. Her other three Tony Awards were for Gypsy in 1975, Dear World in 1969, and Mame in 1966, all for best actress in a musical.
The organisation for live stage performers, Actors’ Equity, expressed its condolences for Lansbury’s demise in a statement that said, “Lansbury, a prominent figure in theatre, television, and film, belonged to Equity for an incredible 65 years. Her body of work will be preserved for future generations to appreciate. We offer our sympathies to her family and friends.”
Several celebrities in the business, including Viola Davis, also sent the renowned actress heartfelt tributes, writing, “you believed you’d live forever. What a stunning legacy you’ve left behind. You have inspired future performers to strive for excellence. Sleep well! Angelic flights in May.”
Take a look at the heartfelt tributes here
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.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 11, 2022It is rare that one person can touch multiple generations, creating a breadth of work that defines decade after decade. #AngelaLansbury was that artist. From “Mame” to “Bedknobs” to “Murder She Wrote” to “B&TB” to “Mary Poppins Returns” she touched 4 generations. RIP Legend🙏 pic.twitter.com/CTFlrL5GPU
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) October 11, 2022The 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. #ripAngelaLansbury
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) October 11, 2022Josh Gad also shared his sorrow by saying, “It is uncommon for one person to have an impact on several generations, producing a range of work that defines one decade after another. # That artist’s name was AngelaLansbury. She impacted four generations through “Mame,” “Bedknobs,” “Murder She Wrote,” “B&TB,” and “Mary Poppins Returns.” Legend, RIP.”
In her poignant tribute, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who co-starred with Dame Angela in the Broadway musical A Little Night Music, said her time with her will “forever remain one of the delights of my life.” She was also hailed as “one of the most versatile, talented, graceful, kind, humorous, wise, and classy woman I’ve ever encountered” by Jason Alexander, who played himself on Seinfeld.
