Actress Dame Angela Lansbury from Murder, She Wrote dies at home age 96

Dame Angela Lansbury has passed away at the age of 96.

The family of the British actress confirmed she died peacefully at home in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning, five five days before her 97^th birthday.

The three-time Oscar nominated actress had a career spanning eight decades and was well known for detective drama Murder, She Wrote.

Born in London in 1925, she was also well loved for her roles in Bedknobs and Broomsticks and for voicing Mrs Potts in Beauty and the Beast.

She also has a wide-ranging Broadway career and was the winner of five Tony Awards.

In a statement, the family said: “The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1.30am, Tuesday, October 11, just five days shy of her 97th birthday.

“In addition to her three children, Anthony, Deirdre and David, she is survived by three grandchildren, Peter, Katherine and Ian, plus five great grandchildren and her brother, producer Edgar Lansbury. She was proceeded in death by her husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw. A private family ceremony will be held at a date to be determined.”

Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment industry following news of Dame Angela’s death.

Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson shared a fond memory of Angela Lansbury after her death age 96.

He said on Twitter: “I’ll never forget sitting next to Angela Lansbury at an opening night.

“Even though I had to pee I refused to leave my seat during intermission. I spent the 15 minutes chatting with her instead.

“She was incredibly lovely and I’m so glad I had that brief time with her. RIP Angela.”

Canadian writer and two-time Booker Prize-winner Margaret Atwood tweeted: “Oh no. Very sad to hear. Wonderful + versatile actress!”

The UK HIV and sexual health charity Terrence Higgins Trust tweeted: “Dame Angela Lansbury was a prominent advocate of HIV activism in the 1980s and 90s – even fronting a TV information campaign.

“Going on to say: ‘I’ve lost so many friends to AIDS that it’s very, very close to me.’

“May she rest in peace.”