Angela Lansbury Biography (1925-)

Full name, Angela Brigid Lansbury; born October 16, 1925, in London, England;immigrated to the United States in 1940; naturalized citizen, 1951; daughterof Edgar Isaac (a lumber merchant) and Moyna (an actress; maiden name, MacGill) Lansbury; married Richard Cromwell (an actor), September 17, 1945 (divorced August, 1946); married Peter Pullen Shaw (an agent), August 12, 1949 (diedJanuary 29, 2003); children: (second marriage) Anthony Peter, Deirdre Angela; David (stepson, a director). Addresses: Agent: William Morris Agency, 151 El Camino Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212.; Contact: c/o 635 N. Bonhill Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90049-2301.

Nationality

British

Gender

Female

Occupation

Actress, producer, singer

Birth Details

October 16, 1925

London, United Kingdom

Famous Works

• CREDITS
• Stage Appearances
• (Broadway debut) Marcelle, Hotel Paradiso, Henry Miller's Theatre,1957
• Helen, A Taste of Honey, Lyceum Theatre, New York City, 1960
• Cora Hoover Hooper, Anyone Can Whistle, Majestic Theatre, New YorkCity, 1964
• Title role, Mame, Winter Garden Theatre, New York City, 1966
• Countess Aurelia, Dear World, Mark Hellinger Theatre, New York City, 1969
• Prettybelle Sweet, Prettybelle, Shubert Theatre, Boston, MA, 1971
• Title role, Mame, Westbury Music Fair, Long Island, NY, 1972
• (London debut) Mistress, All Over, Royal Shakespeare Company, Aldwych Theatre, 1972
• Ensemble, Sondheim: A Musical Tribute (revue), Shubert Theatre, New York City, 1973
• Mama Rose, Gypsy, Piccadilly Theatre, London, 1973, then Shubert Theatre, Los Angeles, then Winter Garden Theatre, both 1974
• Gertrude, Hamlet, National Theatre Company, Old Vic Theatre, London, 1975, then Lyttleton Theatre, London, 1976
• Counting the Ways, Hartford Stage Company, Hartford, CT, 1976-1977
• Listening, Hartford Stage Company, 1976-1977
• Anna, The King and I, Uris Theatre, New York City, 1978
• Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, Uris Theatre, 1979
• A Little Family Business, Center Theatre Group, Ahmanson Theatre,Los Angeles, then Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, both 1982
• Title role, Mame, Gershwin Theatre, New York City, 1983
• The Players Club Centennial Salute, Shubert Theatre, 1989
• Major Tours
• Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd, U.S. cities, 1980
• Film Appearances
• (Film debut) Nancy Oliver, Gaslight (also known as The Murder in Thornton Square), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944
• Edwina Brown, National Velvet, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1944
• Sybil Vane, The Picture of Dorian Gray, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1945
• Dusty Millard, The Hoodlum Saint, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946
• Guest performer, Till the Clouds Roll By, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946
• Em, The Harvey Girls, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1946
• Mabel Sabre, If Winter Comes, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1947
• Clotilde de Marelle, The Private Affairs of Bel Ami (also known asWomen of Paris), United Artists, 1947
• Kay Thorndyke, State of the Union (also known as The World andHis Wife), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948
• Susan Bratten, Tenth Avenue Angel, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948
• Queen Anne, The Three Musketeers, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1948
• Audrey Quail, The Red Danube, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1949
• Semador, Samson and Delilah, Paramount, 1949
• Mrs. Edwards, Kind Lady, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1951
• Leslie, Mutiny, United Artists, 1952
• Valeska Chauvel, Remains to Be Seen, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1953
• Doris Hillman, Key Man (also known as A Life at Stake), Anglo-Amalgamated, 1954
• Tally Dickinson, A Lawless Street (also known as Marshal of Medicine Bend), Columbia, 1955
• Madame Valentine, The Purple Mask, Universal, 1955
• Princess Gwendolyn, The Court Jester, Paramount, 1956
• Myra Leeds, Please Murder Me, Distributors Corporation of America,1956
• Minnie Littlejohn, The Long, Hot Summer, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1958
• Mabel Claremont, The Reluctant Debutante, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1958
• Countess Lina, A Breath of Scandal, Paramount, 1960
• Mavis Pruitt, The Dark at the Top of the Stairs, Warner Bros., 1960
• Sarah Lee Gates, Blue Hawaii, Paramount, 1961
• Pearl, Season of Passion (also known as Summer of the Seventeenth Doll), United Artists, 1961
• Annabel Willart, All Fall Down, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1962
• (Uncredited) Voice of Marguerite Laurier, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1962
• Mrs. Iselin, The Manchurian Candidate, United Artists, 1962
• Sibyl Logan, In the Cool of the Day, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1963
• Phyllis, Dear Heart, Warner Bros., 1964
• Isabel Boyd, The World of Henry Orient, United Artists, 1964
• Lady Blystone, The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (also knownas Moll Flanders), Paramount, 1965
• Claudia, The Greatest Story Ever Told (also known as George Stevens Presents The Greatest Story Ever Told), United Artists, 1965
• Mama Jean Bello, Harlow, Paramount, 1965
• Gloria, Mister Buddwing (also known as Woman without a Face), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1966
• Countess Herthe von Ornstein, Something for Everyone (also known as The Rook and Black Flowers for the Bride), National General,1970
• Eglantine Price, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Buena Vista, 1971
• Mrs. Salome Otterbourne, Death on the Nile (also known as Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile), Paramount, 1978
• Miss Froy, The Lady Vanishes, Rank/Group 1, 1979
• Miss Jane Marple, The Mirror Crack'd, Associated Film Distribution, 1980
• Voice of Mommy Fortuna, The Last Unicorn (animated), ITC, 1982
• Ruth, The Pirates of Penzance (also known as The Slave of Duty), Universal, 1982
• Granny, The Company of Wolves, Cannon, 1985
• Ingrid (documentary), Wombat Productions, 1985
• Voice of Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast (animated), Buena Vista,1991
• (Voice; in archive footage) Mrs. Potts, Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Be Our Guest, 1994
• Stephen Verona: Self Portrait, 1995
• Herself, Your Studio and You, 1995
• Voice of Dowager Empress Marie, Anastasia (animated), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1997
• Voice of Mrs. Potts, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas(animated; also known as Beauty and the Beast 2), 1997
• Herself, Forever Hollywood, 1999
• Hostess, "Firebird Suite--1919 Version," Fantasia/2000, Buena Vista, 1999
• Herself, Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers--Bedknobs and Broomsticks, 2001
• Narrator, Still the Fairest of Them All: The Making of "Snow White andthe Seven Dwarfs," Buena Vista, 2001
• (Uncredited) Voice of herself, About Schmidt, New Line Cinema, 2002
• Herself, Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There (also known as Broadway: The Golden Age), 2003
• Television Appearances
• Series
• Herself, Pantomime Quiz (also known as Mike Stokey's PantomimeQuiz and Stump the Stars), 1947
• Regular, Star Time Playhouse, 1955
• Jessica Beatrice Fletcher, Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1984-1996
• Miniseries
• Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, Little Gloria ... Happy at Last, NBC,1982
• Aunt Hortense Boutin, Lace, ABC, 1984
• Alice Garrett, The First Olympics--Athens, 1896 (also known as The First Modern Olympics), NBC, 1984
• Marchesa Allabrandi, Rage of Angels: The Story Continues, NBC, 1986
• Movies
• Amanda Fenwick, The Gift of Love: A Christmas Story, CBS, 1983
• Ann Royce McClain, A Talent for Murder, Showtime, 1984
• Jessica Fletcher, The Murder of Sherlock Holmes, 1984
• Nan Moore, Shootdown, NBC, 1988
• Penelope Keeling, The Shell Seekers, 1989
• Agatha McGee, The Love She Sought (also known as Last Chance for Romance and A Green Journey), NBC, 1990
• Title role, Mrs. 'arris Goes to Paris, CBS, 1992
• Title role, Mrs. Santa Claus, CBS, 1996
• Jessica Fletcher, Murder, She Wrote: South by Southwest, CBS, 1997
• Emily Pollifax, The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax, CBS, 1999
• Jessica Fletcher, Murder, She Wrote: A Story to Die For, CBS, 2000
• Jessica Fletcher and Sarah McCullough, Murder, She Wrote: The Last Free Man, CBS, 2001
• Jessica Fletcher, Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle, CBS, 2003
• Specials
• The Perry Como Christmas Show, NBC, 1964
• The Perry Como Thanksgiving Show, NBC, 1966
• Voice of Sister Theresa, The Story of the First Christmas Snow (animated; also known as The First Christmas), NBC, 1975
• Host, The Making of "The Wizard of Oz," 1979
• Ringmaster, Circus of the Stars, CBS, 1980
• Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney Todd (also known as Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street), 1982
• The Barbara Walters Special, ABC, 1985
• Clue: Movies, Murder, and Mystery, CBS, 1986
• The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn, PBS, 1986
• Liberty Weekend, ABC, 1986
• The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1987
• People Magazine on TV, CBS, 1988
• Grammy Living Legends, CBS, 1989
• CBS Premiere Preview Spectacular, CBS, 1989
• MDA Jerry Lewis Telethon, syndicated, 1990
• The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1990
• Host and narrator, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic,CBS, 1990
• The Dream Is Alive: The 20th Anniversary Celebration of Walt Disney World (also known as Walt Disney World's 20th Anniversary Celebration), CBS, 1991
• Bob Hope and Friends: Making New Memories, NBC, 1991
• Be Our Guest: The Making of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," The Disney Channel, 1991
• "Helen Hayes: First Lady of the American Theatre," American Masters, PBS, 1991
• The Grand Opening of Euro Disney, CBS, 1992
• The Defense Rests: A Tribute to Raymond Burr, NBC, 1993
• Coming Up Roses, CBS, 1993
• The American Film Institute Salute to Elizabeth Taylor, ABC, 1993
• Host, Bob Hope: The First Ninety Years (also known as Bob Hope:A 90th Birthday Celebration), NBC, 1993
• Host, The Best of Disney Music: A Legacy in Song, CBS, 1993
• Grand Marshal, The 104th Tournament of Roses Parade, CBS, 1993
• The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 1993
• "Jerry Herman's Broadway at the Bowl," Great Performances, PBS, 1994
• Sinatra: 80 Years My Way, ABC, 1995
• Inside the Dream Factory, TCM, 1995
• "A Tribute to Stephen Sondheim," A&E Stage, Arts and Entertainment, 1995
• Host, The Wizard of Oz: 40 Years on Television, CBS, 1996
• Voices of Hope... Finding the Cures for Breast and Ovarian Cancer,Lifetime, 1997
• Herself, Frank Capra's American Dream, 1997
• Guest Host, CBS: The First 50 Years, CBS, 1998
• Herself, "Angela Lansbury: A Balancing Act," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 1998
• AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Movies, CBS, 1998
• Narrator, Glorious Technicolor, TCM, 1998
• Hollywood & Vinyl: Disney's 101 Greatest Musical Moments, VH1,1998
• Herself, The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts, CBS, 2000
• Herself, On Cukor (also known as American Masters: On Cukor), PBS, 2000
• Herself, Elizabeth Taylor: England's Other Elizabeth, PBS, 2000
• Herself, Mormon Tabernacle Choir Presents the Joy of Christmas with Angela Landsbury, 2002
• Herself, AFI's 100 Years ... 100 Heroes & Villains (also knownas AFI's 100 Years, 100 Heroes & Villains: America's Greatest ScreenCharacters), CBS, 2003
• Interviewee, Intimate Portrait: Bea Arthur, Lifetime, 2003
• Awards Presentations
• Host, The 22nd Annual Tony Awards, 1968
• The 23rd Annual Tony Awards, 1969
• Herself, The 35th Annual Tony Awards, 1981
• The 37th Annual Prime Time Emmy Awards, 1985
• The 39th Annual Emmy Awards, 1987
• The 1987 Antoinette Perry Awards, 1987
• Host, The 41st Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1987
• Host, The 42nd Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1988
• The 14th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1988
• Host, The 43rd Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1989
• The 41st Annual Emmy Awards, Fox, 1989
• The 42nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Presentation, Fox, 1990
• The 43rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards Presentation, Fox, 1991
• The 64th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1992
• The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Fox, 1992
• The 18th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1992
• The 65th Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1993
• The 19th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1993
• Host, The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, ABC, 1993
• The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, ABC, 1994
• The 20th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 1994
• The 47th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Fox, 1995
• Honoree, The Screen Actors Guild Awards, NBC, 1997
• Presenter, The 52nd Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1998
• Presenter, The 53rd Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1999
• Pilots
• Detective, Scene of the Crime, NBC, 1984
• Episodic
• "The Citadel," Robert Montgomery Presents Your Lucky Strike Theatre, NBC, 1950
• Leslie, "The Wonderful Night," The Lux Video Theater, CBS, 1950
• Lucy Landor, "Operation Weekend," The Lux Video Theater, CBS, 1952
• Tina Rafferty, "Stone's Throw," The Lux Video Theater, CBS, 1952
• "Cakes and Ale," Robert Montgomery Presents Your Lucky Strike Theatre, NBC, 1953
• Joan Dexter, "Dreams Never Lie," Revlon Mirror Theater, CBS, 1953
• "The Ming Lama," Ford Television Theatre, NBC, 1953
• Florie, "Storm Swept," Schlitz Playhouse of Stars, CBS, 1953
• Joan Robinson, "A String of Beads," Four Star Playhouse, CBS, 1954
• Daphne Rutledge, "The Crime of Daphne Rutledge," General Electric Theatre, CBS, 1954
• Your Show of Shows, 1954
• Elsa, "A Chair for a Lady," Lux Video Theatre, 1954
• Herself, The George Gobel Show, 1954
• Brenda Jarvis, "The Indiscreet Mrs. Jarvis," Fireside Theater, NBC, 1955
• Mrs. Pritchard, "The Treasure," Henry Fonda Presents the Star and theStory, syndicated, 1955
• Mrs. Hallerton, "Madeira, Madeira," Four Star Playhouse, CBS, 1955
• Vanessa Peters, "Billy and the Bride," Stage 7, CBS, 1955
• Star Time Playhouse, CBS, 1955
• Katie, "The Rarest Stamp," Studio '57, syndicated, 1956
• "Instant of Truth," Front Row Center, CBS, 1956
• Vera Wayne, "Claire," Screen Directors Playhouse, NBC, 1956
• Flossie Norris, "The Brown Leather Case," Studio '57, syndicated,1956
• "The Force of Circumstance," Henry Fonda Presents the Star and the Story, syndicated, 1956
• "Bury Me Later," Climax!, CBS, 1956
• "The Devil's Brood," Climax!, CBS, 1957
• "Verdict of Three," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1958
• "The Grey Nurse Said Nothing," Playhouse 90, CBS, 1959
• "Something Crazy's Going on in the Back Room," The Eleventh Hour,NBC, 1963
• Herself, The Danny Kaye Show, 1964
• Effie Van Donck, "The Deadly Toys Affair," Man from U.N.C.L.E., NBC, 1965
• "Leave It to Me," The Trials of O'Brien, CBS, 1965
• Mystery guest, What's My Line?, 1966
• Herself, The Julie Andrews Hour, 1973
• Herself, Scene of the Crime, 1984
• Emma McGill, "Sing a Song of Murder," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1985
• Jessica Fletcher, "Novel Connection," Magnum, P.I., CBS, 1986
• Emma McGill, "It Runs in the Family," Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1987
• Penelope Keeling, "The Shell Seekers," Hallmark Hall of Fame, ABC,1989
• (Uncredited) Herself, "Lights! Camera! Contractions!," Newhart, 1990
• Narration, "The Christmas Witch," Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories, Showtime, 1992
• Lady Barrington, "For All the Tea in China," Touched by an Angel,CBS, 2002
• Also appeared in The Danny Kaye Show, CBS; Alcoa Preview, ABC; The Merv Griffin Show, syndicated; The Today Show, NBC; Suspense Theatre, syndicated; The Art of Film, NET; Studio One, CBS; Kraft Theatre; Pantomime Quiz; as Deborah, "Deborah,"Undercurrent.
• Television Work
• Executive producer, Murder, She Wrote, CBS, 1992-1996
• RECORDINGS
• Videos
• Angela Lansbury's Positive Moves: A Personal Plan for Fitness and Well-Being at Any Age, 1988
• Albums
• Anyone Can Whistle (original cast recording), CBS Special Products, 1964
• Mame (original cast recording), Columbia, 1966
• Dear World (original cast recording), CBS Special Products, 1969
• Sweeney Todd (original cast recording), RCA, 1979
• Also recorded The Beggar's Opera, 1982.
• WRITINGS
• Books
• Author of (with Mimi Avins) Angela Lansbury's Positive Moves: My Personal Plan for Fitness and Well-Being; Wedding Speeches and Toasts;Unforgettable British Weekends--A Guide to Unusual & Celebration Holidays; See Scotland at Work: A Guide to Factories and Craft Workshops Open to Visitors.

Further Reference

OTHER SOURCES

• Gottfried, Martin, Balancing Act: The Authorized Biography of Angela Lansbury, Little, Brown, 1999
• International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers, Volume 3: Actors and Actresses, St. James Press, 1996

• Variety, July 24, 2000, p. 28