The 75th Annual Tony Awards swept through New York City with an electrifying celebration of Broadway, paying homage to one of its most cherished legends, Angela Lansbury. The five-time Tony winner was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, yet the grandeur of the event seemed incomplete without her presence. As the audience sang along to the theme song of her first Broadway triumph, Mame, Angela opted to stay away, leaving her fans wondering why.
At the age of 96, Angela Lansbury made a pragmatic decision to decline the trip to New York. Traveling just isn't as simple as it used to be, especially with health concerns such as arthritis. “Angela has various health issues, including arthritis,” a close friend revealed. “Attending a crowded theater with thousands of people during a time when COVID cases still pop up regularly was not worth the risk.” For Angela, who has spent decades in the spotlight, accolades don’t define her life anymore. “You go through motions for a show or any event where you’re celebrated for what you do, not who you are,” Angela explained.
A Lifetime of Achievements and Choices
Angela Lansbury’s storied career began in the world of film, where her early triumph, 1944’s Gaslight, earned her an Oscar nomination at the tender age of 19. It wasn’t her looks that propelled her to success, but her undeniable talent. “I knew I was never going to play the girl next door,” Angela reminisces. “And I wasn’t going to be groomed to be a glamorous movie star. I realized early on that my strength lay elsewhere.”
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From Films to Stage: A Journey of Growth
At 37, Angela earned her third Oscar nomination for her role as the manipulative mother in the 1962 classic, The Manchurian Candidate. “Any actress will tell you that playing evil roles is the best,” she says with a laugh. “That woman had so many layers, and it proved to be my last great movie role.” Angela held her own among Hollywood's iconic beauties, including Judy Garland, Elizabeth Taylor, and Lana Turner, but she remained a quiet and innocent presence.
Her first marriage, at the age of 19, to Richard Cromwell, was a whirlwind romance. “I was so in love with Richard when I married him,” Angela confesses. “I had no idea he was gay, and I had no sexual experience.” During their brief marriage, Richard introduced her to a world of famous friends like Joan Crawford, William Holden, and Zachary Scott, who became mentors and inspirations. When he left her with only a “Dear Jane” letter, Angela was heartbroken, but she learned from the experience.
A Perfect Union with Peter Shaw
Years later, Angela met Peter Shaw, a fellow actor who transitioned into producing. Together, they shared a 53-year union that Angela describes as “perfect.” “We were devoted to one another,” she says fondly. “I don’t know how we had such a long marriage, but it was simple: we loved each other deeply.” When Angela’s career demanded her presence elsewhere, Peter stepped in to care for their children, Anthony and Deidre, as well as his son from a previous marriage, David.
In the 1960s, the couple made a bold decision to move to rural Ireland to protect their children from the drug scene in Los Angeles. “It was somewhere my children wouldn’t be exposed to bad influences,” Angela explains. This move proved beneficial for their children, allowing them to focus on their lives and straighten out.
Returning to the Spotlight
Angela returned to the stage with hits like Gypsy in 1974 and Sweeney Todd in 1979. Her crowning achievement, however, came with her role as Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote. “I probably wouldn’t have done it if Peter hadn’t suggested it,” Angela admits. “But Jessica was a character I adored. She was valiant, liberal, athletic, exciting, and sexy—everything women of a certain age should be recognized for.”
The loss of Peter to heart failure was one of the most challenging moments in Angela’s life. “Suddenly, that special person is gone,” she says, her voice tinged with emotion. “Returning to work helped me cope with my grief. I told myself, ‘Get off your ass and start moving forward.’” Films like Nanny McPhee and Mary Poppins Returns introduced Angela to a younger generation, proving that age is just a number.
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Life Today: Family and Joy
Since the pandemic began in 2020, Angela has chosen to stay close to home in Los Angeles. “She loves spending time with her family, and they’re all based there,” a friend shares. “She has her children, grandchildren, and even a great-grandchild!” Despite some health challenges, including arthritis, Angela remains active, enjoying cooking, reading, and crossword puzzles. “I take vitamins and get enough sleep,” she says. “Age shouldn’t stop you from living life to the fullest.”
— By Louise A. Barile
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