The incomparable Angela Lansbury: why the star of the cult detective did not receive an Oscar three times and how she finally got it

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

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

She didn’t win the award, but young Angela didn’t think to lose heart – she had the opportunity to declare her talent as loud as possible even against the background of legendary actors with whom she was on the same platform. Gaslight starred Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, and the film became a cult, and by the way, the well-known psychological term “gaslighting” arose from its title: the plot is based on the story of a manipulator who was deliberately driven by a woman who believed him to be crazy.

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

At that time, 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 any roles other than lovers and mistresses. other characteristic features. Angela defended with all her might the role that limited her creative abilities, but of course it was almost impossible to convince the bosses.

However, in 1962, the film Manchurian Candidate was released, where Lansbury played the role of Aislin, which remained perhaps the best of her 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 very popular and lasted 12 years: 33 (!) directors sat in the chair, but Angela remained a constant star.

In 2013, Angela Lansbury nevertheless became the owner of the coveted statuette. She was awarded the Academy Award for lifetime achievement and 70 years of work in film and television by the Academy’s decision. 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 are children and grandchildren, and she is happy to lead a life full of emotions and joy with her family.

At the same time, until her last days, Lansbury acted on the stage and appeared in performances every day. She read all the scripts sent to her, but agreed to few: she didn’t want to “play old women who have lost their minds with Alzheimer’s.” The great actress was waiting for a new big role, but unfortunately she did not wait …

Photo: Legion-Media