Angela Lansbury, a versatile actress who captivated generations of fans as a murderous baker, a singing teapot, a Soviet spy and a small-town slave among a host of memorable roles, died Tuesday, her family announced.
" The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are saddened to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Los Angeles at 1.30am today, Tuesday 11 October 2022, just five days short of her birthday. 97", her family. said in a statement.
The London-born actor took the final bow of her life as one of the most decorated actresses in the history of the stage.
Lansbury won five Tony Awards, most recently in 2009 for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her work in Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit.
Her best-known work on the High White Street was perhaps as eccentric pie-maker Nellie Lovett in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street . She picked up a Tony for Best Actress in a Musical in 1979 for that role.
Her three other Tony wins were for best actress in a musical for "Mame" in 1966, "Dear World" in 1969 and "Gypsy" in 1975.
Audra McDonald and Julie Harris are the only actors to have won six Tonys; Harris' sixth pitch was a lifetime achievement.
" We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Angela Lansbury, " according to a statement from Actors' Equity, the union that represents live stage performers.
Lansbury earned her acting credit in 1957 with her work in Hotel Paradiso.
A star of stage, television and film, Lansbury was a member of Equity for an astonishing 65 years. She left behind a library of work to be enjoyed by many generations. We send our condolences to her friends and family. "
Actor Eric McCormack, best known for his work on NBC's long-running series "Will & Grace," fondly recalled his time with Lansbury in Gore Vidal's "The Best Man" in 2012.
"So privileged to have spent time with this extraordinary woman," he said in the statement. "No one like her."
