Broadway and beyond has taken to social media to mourn the beloved Angela Lansbury, who peacefully passed away October 11 at the age of 96. Known for her work on screen in Murder, She Wrote, Lansbury was also a five-time Tony winner and Lifetime Achievement Tony honoree. She sensationally created the roles of Mame and Mrs. Lovett in Mame and Sweeney Todd, and was also recognized for her work in Gypsy, Dear World, and Blithe Spirit.
With additional Broadway credits including Gore Vidal's The Best Man, A Little Night Music, Deuce, Hotel Paradiso, A Taste of Honey, Anyone Can Whistle, The King and I, and A Little Family Business; and her numerous film credits including Gaslight, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and The Manchurian Candidate, Lansbury's illustrious career earned her the Kennedy Center Honors and Academy Award nominations.
Heather Hitchens, President and CEO of the American Theatre Wing, released a statement on Lansbury's passing. “The American Theatre Wing mourns the loss of our Honorary Chair, Angela Lansbury, whose involvement with the Wing spanned 8 astonishing decades. She first entered our world as a student of the American Theatre Wing Professional School, and then graced the stage with an unrivaled string of unforgettable performances. She won five Tony Awards and a Special Tony for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre just this past June and hosted five Tony Award telecasts—the most in the history of the awards. As our Honorary Chair, she was a passionate advocate for the next generation of theatre makers. Rest in power, dear friend! You will be deeply, deeply missed."
1. Harvey Fierstein
Angela Lansbury - She, my darlings, was EVERYTHING! pic.twitter.com/MLKlRNjxhA
— Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) October 11, 2022
2. Bebe Neuwirth
She was a divine artist and a great broad. I admired her SO much. My condolences to her family and everyone who loved her. May her memory be a blessing.
— Bebe Neuwirth (she/her) (@BebeNeuwirth) October 11, 2022
RIP🕊 pic.twitter.com/qk4jnZ9Yj1
3. Kristin Chenoweth
Nobody did Mame quite like her. Rest in peace, Angela Lansbury. Thank you for your art & wisdom 💔 pic.twitter.com/6NajtxKMa3
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) October 11, 2022
4. Rachel Zegler
angela lansbury forever
— rachel zegler (she/her/hers) (@rachelzegler) October 11, 2022
5. Joanna Gleason
6. George Takei
Angela Lansbury, who graced the stage for decades winning five Tony awards and brought the sleuthing Jessica Fletcher into our living rooms for a dozen years, has passed. A tale old as time, our beloved Mrs. Potts will sing lullabies to us now from the stars. Rest, great soul.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 11, 2022
7. Rob McClure
8. Alexandra Silber
9. Lauren Molina
10. Audra McDonald
11. Kelli O'Hara
12. Stephanie J. Block
Just a young green girl in awe. 💚 https://t.co/l5NTuURWVn
— Stephanie J. Block (she/her) (@StephanieJBlock) October 12, 2022
13. Telly Leung
14. Kevin Zak
Thank goodness we had her for as long as we did. pic.twitter.com/SIumz41np2
— Kevin Zak (@KevinJZak) October 11, 2022
15. Rebecca Lock
No no no….. 💔 I thought you’d be with us forever… legend #angelalansbury pic.twitter.com/IsmXCHz9re
— Rebecca Lock (@RebeccaLock22) October 11, 2022
16. Lin-Manuel Miranda
17. Rob Madge
I always think of this performance by Angela Lansbury. Sublime in its simplicity. She provided the soundtrack to so many childhoods. Her storytelling was incomparable. Rest well, Mrs Potts. pic.twitter.com/8eE8b7zUAg
— Rob Madge (@Rob_Madge_02) October 11, 2022
I doubt there are many people Sondheim would audition for. “She was a star”. Quite right. pic.twitter.com/7sbiyBqlt2
— Rob Madge (@Rob_Madge_02) October 12, 2022
18. Cinco Paul
I absolutely loved her. RIP Angela Lansbury. pic.twitter.com/XZN5wMlaut
— Cinco Paul (@cincopedia) October 11, 2022
19. Josh Lamon
Like Sondheim, I wasn’t ready for this. Farewell, Angela Lansbury. God, I love you.
— Josh Lamon (@JoshLamon) October 11, 2022
20. Jason Robert Brown
Listen, it’s not an exciting story to tell but once - once - in 2005, from the second row at Symphony Space - I watched Angela Lansbury sing “A Little Priest” with Len Cariou while Gemignani conducted, and it wasn’t even perfect but it was PERFECT.
— Jason Robert Brown (@MrJasonRBrown) October 11, 2022
21. Kerry Butler
22. Bernadette Peters
And @AngelaLansbury WAS a consummate performer AND person. I saw her in Blyth Spirit in London and she was so creative and amazing .She joined us on stage for Broadway Barks between shows when she was in Deuce. She was 80 then ,,RIP Dear Angela. My admiration is immeasurable 💜💜
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) October 12, 2022
23. Harriet Sansom Harris
She was peerless, and I adored her! Angela Lansbury, the ultimate Dame. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought, “What would Angela do?” pic.twitter.com/NKcKClK78m
— Harriet Sansom Harris (@MsHarrietHarris) October 11, 2022
24. Patti LuPone
RIP Angie. You were a beacon for all of us. A Gentle Lady, a Supreme Talent.
— Patti LuPone (@PattiLuPone) October 12, 2022
25. Broadway Barks
Thank you Angela. We will cherish the memories... pic.twitter.com/GeF27jNgsF
— Broadway Barks (@BroadwayBarks) October 11, 2022
26. Uzo Aduba
2012. And this VERY excited #theaterkid got to meet her, after one of our shows at Godspell. She poured so much love into each of us. An icon of the stage, and legend across so many mediums but, we all knew…she was always one of us :). Thank you, Angela Lansbury. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/mug68Qg0WR
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) October 11, 2022
