Angela Lansbury

Born Angela Brigid Lansbury on October 16, 1925, in London, England, Lansbury was a revered British-American actress with a career spanning an impressive 80 years. Known for her work in film, stage, and television, she left an indelible mark on the acting industry. One of the most notable roles in her career was that of Jessica Fletcher in the popular television series, Murder, She Wrote. She was also known for her performances in musical theatre, most notably in the Broadway plays Mame, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd. Despite being based much of her life in the United States, Lansbury's work gained international acclaim and she continued to be an active performer well into her nineties. She passed away on October 11, 2022, leaving behind a vast and impressive body of work.

Lansbury was born to an upper-middle-class family in central London. To escape the Blitz, she moved to the United States in 1940 and studied acting in New York City. She moved to Hollywood in 1942, where she made her film debut with Gaslight (1944) and followed with a number of successful films, including The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) and The Manchurian Candidate (1962). Lansbury transitioned to musical theatre to gain popularity and in the 1980s, she moved from California to Ireland's County Cork. Despite her personal life struggles, she continued to have a sustaining career in theatre and film. She affirms her legendary status in the 20th century film, theatre, and television industry, among her accolades were six Tony Awards, six Golden Globe Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, an Academy Honorary Award.