“I haven’t made a Hollywood movie since 1971. ‘Bedknobs and Broomsticks’ was the last time. Isn’t that curious?”
-- Lansbury, on her career
Wesley MannActress Angela Lansbury, star of CBS’ classic amateur detective series Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996), was made a Dame by the Queen of England Wednesday.
The 88-year-old said she was “very proud,” as she received her honor at Windsor Castle, adding, “to meet the Queen under these circumstances is a rare and lovely occasion.”
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Lansbury was born in the U.K. but immigrated to the U.S. as a child after the death of her father during World War II.
The honor was said to be in recognition of Lansbury’s lifetime of acting and charity work.
Although best known for her performance as Murder, She Wrote‘s mystery writer-turned-amateur sleuth Jessica Fletcher, Lansbury’s career stretches back to 1944, when she made her debut in Gaslight, earning her first Oscar nomination. She was later nominated twice more and was presented with an honorary Oscar in 2013. Other film performances include The Manchurian Candidate and Blue Hawaii opposite Elvis Presley. She also earned 18 Emmy nominations for her TV work and won five Tony Awards, tying the record for the most received by a single performer. She won her first Tony in 1966 for her performance in Mame, and her most recent in 2009.
And she’s still acting. Lansbury recently returned to the London stage in the starring role of a revival of Noel Coward‘s Blithe Spirit, which opened in March at the Gielgud Theatre to critical praise.
Upon receiving her honor from the Queen on Wednesday, Lansbury told the BBC the recognition felt different than winning her film awards.
Said Lansbury: “[The Oscar] is for my work in motion pictures and this is for the overall accomplishments of my life as an actress.”
