Dame Angela Lansbury‘s passing is a bittersweet sting to those that loved and knew her work. Adoration for the prolific actress has poured from every corner of social media and beyond. The prolific performer passed away on October 11th, 2022 at the age of 96. Back in 2010, The New York Times did an interview with Lansbury, with the express direction to release it after her death. That interview has now been released, and it’s a loving expose on the actress, and the impressive career she leaves behind
It’s quite sweet to hear her speak about her life and legacy. From a lifetime of playing parts older than her actual age, to her belief she was never meant to be a leading lady, Lansbury answers questions with a gentle frankness.
Lansbury captivating from the very beginning. Possessed of that special spark that grabs your attention, she was capable of embodying roles wholeheartedly. “I look at the picture now and say ‘How the devil did you have the experience’?,” she says of her very first film role in 1944’s “Gaslight.” She simply possessed the skill to become, making no bones about the fact that she is a character actress above all else.
A Life Not Without Its Bumps
The interview goes a little deeper than career, asking some harder questions about her personal life. It covers the heartbreaking split with Richard Cromwell, and the meeting of the love of her life Peter Shaw, and his undying support for her. But Lansbury found striking the balance of work and home difficult. She goes into somber detail about the lives of her children, and their trouble with drug abuse.
At 13 minutes, the interview is succinct. But it’s tailored to get to know the woman behind the roles that made her famous. We will miss you so much, Dame Angela Lansbury. Thank you for everything you did.
