“Murder, She Wrote” And “Beauty And The Beast” Actress Dies At 96

The family of Angela Lansbury has reported that she passed away on October 11, 2022. She was home in Los Angeles at the time and passed away in her sleep.

Lansbury was 96 years old at the time of her death. She was only five days away from her 97th birthday.

Although Lansbury has played many roles, she is best known for her part in ‘Murder She Wrote.’ Her character, Jessica Fletcher, was the role of a widow who solved crimes and was also a mystery writer.

She played other parts in shows and movies, including the voiceover for Mrs. Pot In Beauty and the Beast. Of all her roles, she felt that Jessica Fletcher was the most like her personality.

In an interview with the New York Times, Lansbury said: “I had a lot of say in it, and I didn’t want the character to be quirky. I wanted her to be real. I didn’t want to have to put on any kind of veneer for 24 hours a day, which is what a television schedule sometimes feels like.”

Lansbury won 5 Tony awards and received a sixth Tony as a lifetime achievement. Some of the awards were given for her part in “Sweeney Todd” (1979), “Mame” (1966), and “Gypsy” (1975).

She also received the honor of being a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire from Queen Elizabeth II.

Lansbury was born in London, England, on October 16, 1925. Her father was a liberal British politician, and her mother, an Irish-born actress. From a young age, Lansbury enjoyed music and acting.

Her mother moved the family to New York City when Nazi attacks began on England during World War II. They then moved to Los Angeles, and Lansbury signed a seven-year contract at the age of 17.

At the time, she was only making $500 a week, but it got her career started. She would go on to receive an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actress in her first role in the 1944 film, Gaslight.

She is survived by her three children, Anthony, Deirdre, and David. She also is survived by three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and a brother, Edgar Lansbury. Peter Shaw, her husband of 53 years, preceded her in death.