Remembering Angela Lansbury: A Life In The Spotlight

Alaina April 18, 2025

For over eight decades, Angela Lansbury enchanted audiences around the world with her extraordinary talent and timeless charm. The legendary actress passed away peacefully on October 11, 2022, at the age of 96, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished by fans of theater, film, and television.

“The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are deeply saddened to share that their beloved mother passed away peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days before her 97th birthday,” Closer Weekly reported in a heartfelt statement. Her death marked the end of an era for fans who had grown up watching her on screen.

Her Remarkable Personal Life

Beyond her illustrious career, Angela’s personal life was marked by love and family. She was married twice, first to actor Richard Cromwell in 1945. Although their marriage lasted only a year, it set the stage for Angela to reflect on what she truly wanted in a partner. Later, she found enduring happiness with Peter Shaw, whom she married in 1949. Together, they built a beautiful family, welcoming two children—Anthony and Deirdre—and embracing Peter’s son from a previous marriage, David, as their own.

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In addition to her cherished family, Angela leaves behind three grandchildren—Peter, Katherine, and Ian—as well as five great-grandchildren. Her brother, producer Edgar Lansbury, also survives her. The family plans to hold a private ceremony to honor her life and legacy at a future date. Angela was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw, who passed away in 2003.

Early Days in Hollywood

Born in 1925, Angela’s journey to stardom began early. She made her film debut in the 1944 classic Gaslight, a role that earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. This breakout performance was just the beginning of her illustrious career. Angela quickly followed up with starring roles in National Velvet in 1944 and The Picture of Dorian Gray in 1945, the latter earning her a second Academy Award nomination. These early successes cemented her place among Hollywood’s elite during the Golden Age of cinema.

Marriage to Richard Cromwell

Amid her rising fame, Angela married actor Richard Cromwell in 1945 when she was just 19 years old. Cromwell, a seasoned actor 15 years her senior, seemed like a dream match at the time. However, their marriage lasted only a year. Looking back, Angela revealed the challenges of their brief union. "I found him such an attractive individual, a very glamorous person," she once told Radio Times in 2017. "He knew everybody, he was a friend of Joan Crawford's, these people who I was fascinated by as a young actress. And he wanted to marry, he was fascinated with me, but only because of what he had seen on the screen, really." Their mismatched expectations ultimately led to the dissolution of their marriage.

A Perfect Partnership with Peter Shaw

Angela met Peter Shaw in 1946, and the couple tied the knot three years later. Their union proved to be a harmonious blend of love, partnership, and mutual respect. They welcomed their son, Anthony, in 1952, followed by their daughter, Deirdre, in 1953. Together, they built a life filled with joy and shared ambitions.

In a revealing interview from March 2014, Angela described her relationship with Peter as nothing short of perfect. "We had the perfect relationship," she said. "Not many people can say that. He was everything to me: we were partners at work as well as husband and wife and lovers. I don’t know how we had such a long marriage, but the simple fact was that we were devoted to one another." After Peter's passing in 2003, Angela chose not to remarry, choosing instead to cherish the memories of their incredible partnership.

Angela's Legacy

Throughout her life, Angela Lansbury remained a beacon of grace and talent, inspiring countless individuals both on and off the screen. From her early days in Hollywood to her iconic role as Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, she touched the hearts of millions. Her ability to adapt and thrive across different mediums—film, television, and theater—ensured that her legacy would endure for generations to come.