Angela Lansbury Made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth II
Actress Angela Lansbury, known primarily for her role on "Murder, She Wrote," was officially made a Dame in Queen Elizabeth's annual New Year honors list. The 88-year-old actress, singer, and Broadway star was thrilled by the award, which she never expected to receive.
"I'm joining a marvelous group of women I greatly admire like Judi Dench and Maggie Smith," Lansbury told the BBC. "It's a lovely thing to be given that nod of approval by your own country and I really cherish it."
Lansbury was awarded the honor for her work in the entertainment industry as well as her contributions to charity work and philanthropy. She began acting at a young age, in various school productions, before hitting it big in "Gaslight" and "The Picture of Dorian Gray." She continued working in films such as "The Manchurian Candidate" and also began working on Broadway, starring in "Mame" and later, "Gypsy."
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In 1984, "Murder, She Wrote" debuted and featured Lansbury as a well-known novelist who had a knack for solving crimes and always being around when a murder was committed. The series quickly found a following and lasted for 12 years, until 1996. Lansbury came away with two Emmy awards for her work as Jessica Fletcher. NBC executives recently announced that "Murder, She Wrote" would be revised and aired, which did not sit well with Lansbury.
"I think it's a mistake to call it 'Murder, She Wrote,' Lansbury told reporters, "because 'Murder, She Wrote' will always be about Cabot Cove and this wonderful little group of people who told those lovely stories and enjoyed a piece of that place, and also enjoyed Jessica Fletcher, who is a rare and very individual kind of person. So I'm sorry that they have to use the title 'Murder, She Wrote' even though they have access to it and it's their right."
Lansbury will soon be seen in a revival of "Blithe Spirit" in London, playing the famous character Madame Arcati, a character that won her a Tony award on Broadway just four years ago.
"You could say it's my last chance," Lansbury joked. "It isn't! But you could say that. After all, I am 88 – in my 89th year now. But I've got many more years left – I do believe that."
