They sent me some scripts that were not quite what I had hoped for. They had me playing roles that I didn’t find particularly inspiring, like the maid or the housekeeper in ensemble pieces, which was disappointing.
Angela Lansbury was a highly respected actress with a remarkable career, best known for her role as Jessica Fletcher in the television series “Murder, She Wrote.” She passed away in 2022, just before her 97th birthday, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire. Now, her children are sharing stories and insights into her life and career that shed new light on her extraordinary journey.
Early Life:
Angela Bridget Lansbury was born on October 16th, 1925, into an upper-middle-class family. While some sources state she was born in Poplar, East London, Angela herself claimed to have been born in Regent Park, Central London. Her mother, Moyna Macgill, was an Irish actress from Belfast, known for her work on stage and in films. Angela’s father, Edgar Lansbury, was an English timber merchant and politician, who was once the mayor of Poplar and a member of the Communist Party.
Angela had an older half-sister named Isolde from her mother’s previous marriage. In 1930, her mother gave birth to twin boys, Bruce and Edgar. The family moved from their flat in Poplar to a house in Maida Hill, North London, and spent weekends at a farm in Oxfordshire.
Angela often spoke of her gratitude for her Irish heritage, which she believed gave her a sense of humor and whimsy. She felt that her English side made her more reserved, but on stage, her Irish roots shone through, enhancing her performances.
When Angela was nine years old, her father passed away from stomach cancer. To cope with financial difficulties, her mother entered into a relationship with a Scottish colonel named Lecky Forbes, and they moved into his house in Hampstead. Angela attended South Hampstead High School from 1934 to 1939, where she formed a close friendship with actress Glennis Johns. However, Angela felt that she learned more from books, the theater, and movies, becoming an avid fan of cinema.
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