Angela Lansbury, known for various roles across stage, film and television, has died aged 96.
Her death was confirmed by her family in a statement (via Deadline), which reads: “The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1.30am 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 preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw.”
A private family ceremony is scheduled to be held at a later date.
Lansbury is known for starring in whodunit series Murder, She Wrote, where she played writer and detective Jessica Fletcher across 12 seasons. Following its premiere in September 1984, the show came to an end on May 19, 1996.
She also starred in numerous stage musical adaptations, including Gypsy, Sweeney Todd and The King And I.
She received three Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress for her breakthrough roles in 1944’s Gaslight, The Picture Of Dorian Gray in 1945 and 1962’s The Manchurian Candidate. In 2013, she was celebrated with an Honorary Award from the Academy.
Lansbury’s other notable roles include Bedknobs and Broomsticks in 1971, and as the voice of Mrs. Potts in 1991 Disney classic Beauty And The Beast, where she famously sang the track ‘Tale As Old As Time’.
During her career, she received a total of 18 Emmy nominations and won six Tony Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement award earlier this year.
Catherine Zeta Jones, who starred opposite Lansbury in A Little Night Music, shared a tribute on Instagram, writing: “Dearest, Darling, Dame Angela Lansbury. May you Rest In Peace. Our Broadway double act will forever be one of the joys of my life.
“As the lights dim for you on The Great White Way you shall glow forever in our heart. Love you Angela, Catherine.”
Actor Josh Gad also paid tribute, writing: “It is rare that one person can touch multiple generations, creating a breadth of work that defines decade after decade. #AngelaLansbury was that artist.”
You can check out more tributes below.
It 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, 2022
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, 2022
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.
— Jesse Tyler Ferguson (he/him/his) (@jessetyler) October 11, 2022