The Incomparable Angela Lansbury: Why the Cult Detective Star Didn’t Get Three Oscars, and How She Got It Anyway

Angela Brigid Lansbury was born on October 16, 1925 in London, but during World War II her family emigrated to Canada and then to the United States. The Lansbury family had a fortune – Angela’s grandfather was a famous British politician, her father was a successful businessman. But she herself dreamed of a stage since childhood and dreamed of breaking through on her own.

Angela’s first film work was the film Gaslight. The debut in the profession was impressive – for the role of maid Nancy Oliver, the debutante was nominated in 1945 for an Oscar (best actress in a supporting role). The statuette was eventually awarded to Ethel Barrymore, Drew Barrymore’s grandmother.

Although she did not receive the award, young Angela did not think to lose heart – she had the opportunity to declare her talent as strong as possible even against the background of the legendary actors with whom she was on the same platform. Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer starred in Gaslight, and the film became cult and, by the way, the well-known psychological term “gaslighting” comes from its name: the plot is based on the story of a manipulator who deliberately drove a woman who trusted him crazy.

In 1946, Angela Lansbury was nominated for an Oscar again, again for Best Supporting Actress. And again, she got nothing – Ann Revere, wife of famous playwright Samuel Rosen, left with the prize. But Lansbury’s brilliant role in The Picture of Dorian Gray was rewarded with the Golden Globe. Everyone remained confident – well, for the third time a talented girl will definitely receive an Academy Award!

At that moment, the actress realized what a trap she had fallen into – the film company MGM, with which she had a contract, seemed not to see her great talent and did not want to give her other roles, except in as lovers and other characteristic characters. Angela resisted with all her might the role that limited her creative powers, but, of course, convincing the bosses was almost impossible.

However, in 1962 the film The Manchurian Candidate was released, where Lansbury played the role of Aislin, which remained, perhaps, the best in his career. And again – failure! “Oscar” went to Patty Duke, although literally everyone was sure of Angela’s victory.

In 1984, Angela Lansbury began starring in the CBS series Murder, She Wrote as Jessica Fletcher. The show became super popular and lasted 12 years: 33 (!) Directors visited the armchair, but Angela remained a permanent star.

In 2013, Angela Lansbury however became the owner of the coveted statuette. By decision of the Academy, she received an Oscar for lifetime achievement and 70 years of work in film and television. But it seems that at that time it was not so important for the actress – she repeatedly said that the main thing in her life is children and grandchildren, and she is happy to be able to lead a life full of emotions and joys with his family.

At the same time, Lansbury performed on the theater stage until her last days and appeared in shows every day. She read all the scenarios that were sent to her, but hardly accepted: she did not want to “play the old women who have lost their minds with Alzheimer’s disease”. The great actress was waiting for a new big role, but, alas, she didn’t wait…

Photo: Legion-Media