Angela Lansbury Facts: What to know about the Murder, She Wrote star

Angela Lansbury was one of the most talented actors ever to grace our television screens. So gracious and determined, the actress broke out of the box Hollywood attempted to place her in and helped develop the wittiest mystery writer in television history: Jessica Fletcher. Everyone wants to learn about her life and achievements, which is why questions about Lansbury's life and career are always trending.

Let's get into facts about the beloved actress.

Angela Brigid Lansbury was born on October 16, 1925, in London, England. She was born into a middle-class family, as her father was a politician and her mother was one of Ireland's greatest film actors. She and her mother moved to the United States in 1940, not long after her father passed away. After studying acting in NYC, Lansbury moved to Hollywood and, in 1942, signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). The studio didn't recognize her talent, only placing her in films as the "bitter and jealous friend" characters, but Lansbury didn't let that stop her from outshining everyone on screen. She went on to excel in film in addition to Broadway and on television, becoming one of the greats and building a legacy that will live on.

NBC/UniversalAngela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote

Did Angela Lansbury win an Oscar?

The actress was nominated for three Academy Awards in the Best Supporting Actress category. They were for her performances in Gaslight (1944), The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945), and The Manchurian Candidate (1962). Angela did not win any, but was given an Honorary Academy Award in 2013.

What movie did Angela Lansbury star in with Elvis Presley?

Angela played Elvis Presley's mom in Blue Hawaii, although she was only a few years older than he was. You may remember her saying the line, "You mean nasty little beach boys."

She once said of the role, "That was the lowest, darling. Elvis was twenty-six. It's a jolt, I can tell you, for a woman of thirty-five to be asked to play his mother. But I did it! I was desperate! Elvis was unfailingly polite. I remember he was into karate at the time. Between breaks, he would break bricks with his hand."

NBC/UniversalAngela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote

How old was Angela Lansbury when Murder, She Wrote aired?

She was 58 years old when the show premiered.

Did Queen Elizabeth make Angela Lansbury a Dame?

Yes, Lansbury was made a Dame by Queen Elizabeth in 2014. The actress spoke about the honor with Sky News, saying, "It is a very proud day for me to be recognized by the country of my birth, and to meet the queen under these circumstances is a rare and lovely occasion."

How many Emmy Awards did she win for Murder, She Wrote?

Despite being nominated 12 consecutive times for her role as Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, Lansbury never won. She never won any of her 18 Emmy nominations throughout her career.

Is Angela an EGOT winner?

No, Angela Lansbury is not an EGOT winner, although she came extremely close to achieving this status. The only award she didn't have was an Emmy.