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Angela Lansbury : Biography, Pictures, Photos, Trivia, Address, Filmography (Murder, she wrote)

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Angela Lansbury

Jessica B. Fletcher in Murder, she wrote

Photos Angela Lansbury Birth name: Angela Lansbury Brigid
Birth date: 1925/10/16 (98 years old)
Birth place : Londres (Angleterre)
Height: 1.73 m

French Traduire

Biography for Angela Lansbury

British character actress, long in the United States. The daughter of an actress and the granddaughter of a high-ranking politician, Lansbury studied acting from her youth, departing for the United States as the Second World War began. She was contracted by MGM while still a teenager and nominated for an Academy Award for her first film, Gaslight (1944). Two pictures later, she was again nominated for Best Supporting Actress, this time for The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945). Now established as a supporting player of quality, she began a long career, often as "the other woman" in major productions and as the leading lady in lesser films. Her features, while not at all old-appearing, gave her an air of maturity that allowed her to pass as much older than she actually was, and she began playing mother roles, often to players of her own age, while yet in her thirties. She concentrated more and more on stage work, achieving notable success in a number of Broadway plays and musicals, winning four Tony Awards in sixteen years. Although active in television since the early 1950s, she obtained her greatest fame in the 1980s by starring in the light mystery program "Murder, She Wrote" (1984). As Jessica Fletcher, she became known and loved by millions for well over a decade. She also became known for the odd fact of almost annual Emmy Award nominations for the role without ever winning for it. An institution in American theatre and television, she is also an inspiration for the graciousness of her personality, which is often exploited and always admired.

Born from an actress mother (Moyna Mc Gill) in 1925, she has attended the world of comedy and theater since her childhood.

She began her apprenticeship in London and led in New York in 1940.

In 1944, she was appointed for the Oscar for the best supporting female role thanks to her first role for the big screen in a film by George Cukor entitled "Haunt".

She then turned with the greatest directors of the time: Albert Lewin, Victor Saville, George Sidney, Frank Capra, Martin Ritt, George Stevens or Terence Young and many others. In 1957 she went on boards at the Broadway theater with "Hotel Paradisio".

Then in 1963 she started the "musical" in "Anyone Can Whistle". A musical that made a triumph in Europe. This comedy will earn her four Amy Awards and she is declared the best actress of "musical". In 1970, a return to the cinema with great roles in "Mort sur le Nile" (1978), "The Lady Vanishes" (1979) and "Le Miroir S'Brisa" (1980). In 1983 he was offered the role of Jessica Fletcher. Angela is therefore already a talented actress, who perfectly embodies an alert and dynamic fifties. Attentive observer and fine psychologist she manages to return to her credible character.

Angela Lansbury is a British actress born October 16, 1925 in London, England. She is best known for her role in the television series "The Investigations of Inspector Barnaby" and for his performance in the musical "Mame". Lansbury began her career at the age of 17 in the film "Gaslight", for which she was appointed to the Oscars. She won five Tony Awards for her Broadway performances and was also appointed to the Oscars for her role in "Le Crime de l'Orient-Express". She continued to work in the world of cinema and television for more than 70 years and is considered one of the most respected actresses of her generation.

Photos

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Filmography

Title Role
The Last Unicorn (2006) (pre-production) Mommy Fortuna
Nanny McPhee (2005) (post-production) Great Aunt Adelaide
The Blackwater Lightship (2004) (TV) Dora
Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle (2003) (TV) Jessica B. Fletcher
Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free Man (2001) (TV) Jessica Fletcher and Sarah McCullough
Murder, She Wrote: A Story to Die For (2000) (TV) Jessica Fletcher
The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax (1999) (TV) Mrs. Emily Pollifax
Anastasia (1997) (voice) Dowager Empress Marie
Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas (1997) (V) (voice) Mrs. Potts
Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest (1997) (TV) Jessica Fletcher
Mrs. Santa Claus (1996) (TV) Mrs. Santa Claus
Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris (1992) (TV) Mrs. Ada Harris
Beauty and the Beast (1991) (voice) Mrs. Potts
The Love She Sought (1990) (TV) Agatha McGee
The Shell Seekers (1989) (TV) Penelope Keeling
Shootdown (1988) (TV) Nan Moore
Rage of Angels: The Story Continues (1986) (TV) Marchesa Allabrandi
The Murder of Sherlock Holmes (1984) (TV) Jessica Fletcher
Murder, She Wrote (1984) TV Series Jessica Beatrice McGill Fletcher
The Company of Wolves (1984) Granny
The First Olympics: Athens 1896 (1984) (TV) Alice Garrett
Lace (1984) (TV) Aunt Hortense Boutin
A Talent for Murder (1984) (TV) Ann Royce McClain
The Gift of Love: A Christmas Story (1983) (TV) Amanda Fenwick
The Pirates of Penzance (1983) Ruth
The Last Unicorn (1982) (voice) Mommy Fortuna
Little Gloria... Happy at Last (1982) (TV) Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney
Sweeney Todd (1982) (TV) Nellie Lovett
The Mirror Crack'd (1980) Miss Jane Marple
The Lady Vanishes (1979) Miss Froy
Death on the Nile (1978) Salome Otterbourne
The Story of the First Christmas Snow (1975) (TV) (voice) Sister Theresa/Narrator
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) Eglantine Price
Something for Everyone (1970) Countess Herthe von Ornstein
Mister Buddwing (1966) Gloria
Harlow (1965/I) Mama Jean Bello
The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965) Lady Blystone
The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965) Claudia
Dear Heart (1964) Phyllis
The World of Henry Orient (1964) Isabel Boyd
In the Cool of the Day (1963) Sybil Logan
The Manchurian Candidate (1962) Mrs. Iselin
All Fall Down (1962) Annabell Willart
Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1962) (voice) (uncredited) Marguerite Laurier
Blue Hawaii (1961) Sarah Lee Gates
A Breath of Scandal (1960) Countess Lina
The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960) Mavis Pruitt, Beauty Parlor Proprietress
Summer of the Seventeenth Doll (1959) Pearl
The Reluctant Debutante (1958) Mabel Claremont
The Long, Hot Summer (1958) Minnie Littlejohn
Please Murder Me (1956) Myra Leeds
The Court Jester (1956) Princess Gwendolyn
A Lawless Street (1955) Tally Dickson
Star Time Playhouse (1955) TV Series Regular
The Purple Mask (1955) Madame Valentine
The Indiscreet Mrs. Jarvis (1955) (TV) Brenda Jarvis
A Life at Stake (1954) Doris Hillman
Remains to Be Seen (1953) Valeska Chauvel
Mutiny (1952) Leslie
Kind Lady (1951) Mrs. Edwards
Samson and Delilah (1949) Semadar
The Red Danube (1949) Audrey Quail
Tenth Avenue Angel (1948) Susan Bratten
The Three Musketeers (1948) Queen Anne
State of the Union (1948) Kay Thorndyke
If Winter Comes (1947) Mabel Sabre
The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (1947) Clotilde de Marelle
Till the Clouds Roll by (1946) London Specialty
The Hoodlum Saint (1946) Dusty Millard
The Harvey Girls (1946) Em
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) Sibyl Vane
National Velvet (1944) Edwina Brown
Gaslight (1944) Nancy Oliver

Trivia

Wearing just conventional makeup (i.e., not studio made-up to look "old"), she was most chilling and unforgettable (and convincing!) as the manipulating mother of Laurence Harvey in The Manchurian Candidate (1962), while in real life being scarcely three years Harvey's senior.

She, her mother Moyna MacGill and her twin younger brothers were in the last boatload of family members evacuated from London to America during the WWII blitz.

A recent authorized biography, "Balancing Act", states that her first husband, Richard Cromwell was gay, a fact she didn't know until after their separation.

She was awarded an honorary C.B.E. from the British Government through Queen Elizabeth II.

Her son was a follower of Charles Manson's gang. After the Sharon Tate murders, she thought it best to get him out of the country. She took him to Ireland to help him with his drug problems.

She was the 2000 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Center Honors.

Now holds the record for the most Emmy nominations without a single win.

As of 2003, she is the only actress to go undefeated in a Tony competition, having won all 4 for which she was nominated.

She has one half-sister, Isolde, from her mother´s first marriage to Reginald Denham. Isolde was married to Peter Ustinov, with whom she had one daughter, Tamara Ustinov, Lansbury's niece.

Cousin of Oliver Postgate, the producer and voice behind the classic BBC TV series "The Clangers" (1969) and such shows such as "Ivor the Engine" (1975).

She and Mildred Natwick were both in The Court Jester (1956), and were reunited in an episode of "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) ("Murder in the Electric Cathedral") 30 years later.

She reunited with Death on the Nile (1978) co-star Olivia Hussey in the "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) episode "Sing a Song of Murder" (#27), seven years after that film. Olivia played Rosalie Otterbourne in the movie and she was the daughter of Salome Otterbourne, played by Lansbury.

Reunited with The Court Jester (1956) co-star Glynis Johns in the "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) episode "Sing a Song of Murder" (#27); 29 years after that film.

Was a longtime friend of the late Bob Hope and gave a speech at his memorial service on 27 August 2003. She and Hope appeared on Bob Hope: The First 90 Years (1993) (TV), and she sang with him.

Withdrew from a Broadway musical, "The Visit", due to her husband's impending heart surgery. [21 July 2000]

Was among the special guests who were invited to the Grand Opening of the first Disney Park in Europe (Disneyland Resort Paris, formerly known as EuroDisney Resort), where she impressed her handprints.

Trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, whose alumni include Terence Stamp, Hugh Bonneville, Rupert Friend, Antony Sher, Matthew Goode, Sue Johnston, Minnie Driver and Julian Fellowes.

Has been nominated 12 times for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series on "Murder, She Wrote" (1984), plus four more before, during and after the series, but didn't win.

Was one of the last guest stars on "Newhart" (1982).

On the last episode of "Murder, She Wrote" (1984) she didn't work on the final day of production as there was too much emotion going on.

Her mother, Moyna MacGill, died on November 25, 1975.

Became a US Citizen in 1951.

Her twin brothers are both film producers.

Had performed with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in their annual public Christmas concerts at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Was offered the role of Nurse Ratchet in _One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1987)_ , but turned it down because she didn't think she could handle the role.

She will be reprising the role of Mommy Fortuna in the live action remake of "The Last Unicorn", while Christopher Lee will be reprising his role from the 1982 animated version of King Haggard while Mia Farrow, who was the voice of the Unicorn/Amalthia, will be portraying Molly Grue.

As of 2005, she is the only actress with more than two nominations in Tony Award competition to go undefeated, having won all four for which she was nominated. Her Tony wins, all in the Best Actress (Musical) category, are: in 1966, "Mame;" in 1969, "Dear World," the musical version of "The Madwoman of Chaillot;" in 1975, a revival of "Gypsy;" and in 1979, "Sweeney Todd," a performance she recreated in the television production of the same title, Sweeney Todd (1982) (TV).

Family

Spouse : Peter Shaw (12 August 1949 - 29 January 2003) (his death) 2 children, Richard Cromwell (27 September 1945 - August 1946) (divorced)

Daughter of actress Moyna MacGill, who appeared with her in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) and Kind Lady (1951).

Granddaughter of George Lansbury, British Labour Party leader in 1930s.

Mother of Anthony Pullen Shaw and stepmother of David Shaw.

Sister of Edgar Lansbury and Bruce Lansbury

Aunt of David Lansbury, who is married to Ally Sheedy

Author of the card

  • Creation date: 01/07/2003 by donovan
  • Last update: 01/05/2007 by donovan

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