Angela Lansbury Quotes

Powerful Angela Lansbury for Daily Growth

About Angela Lansbury

Angela Lansbury, born on October 16, 1925, in London, England, is a legendary actress who has left an indelible mark on the world of theatre, film, and television. At the tender age of fifteen, she made her professional stage debut in London's West End before moving to Hollywood with her family at the age of eighteen. Her first major role was as a tragic socialite in "Gaslight" (1944), earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, making her the youngest actress ever to be nominated in that category at the time. Lansbury's career flourished with roles in movies like "The Picture of Dorian Gray" and "The Manchurian Candidate," showcasing her versatility as an actress. However, it was on television where she truly shone. In 1984, she starred as the mysterious and compassionate sleuth Jessica Fletcher in "Murder, She Wrote," a role that would span over twelve seasons and earn her five Golden Globe Awards and eight Emmy Awards. The show not only cemented Lansbury's status as an iconic figure but also highlighted her ability to embody strong, intelligent women on screen. Throughout her illustrious career, Angela Lansbury has been a tireless advocate for the arts and a role model for generations of actors. In 2013, she received the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama, recognizing her contributions to American culture. At the age of 96, she continues to work, inspiring fans with her resilience, talent, and grace.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The secret of my acting is that I am completely in love with the process."

This quote suggests that for Angela Lansbury, her passion and love for the art of acting are key to her success. She finds joy not just in the final product, but in the entire creative process itself - from preparation, rehearsals, to performance. This deep-rooted enthusiasm fuels her commitment, allowing her to fully immerse herself in each role she takes on. The quote encapsulates the idea that true mastery in any field often stems from a profound love for one's craft.


"I think it's important for women to be strong, yet appreciative and nurturing."

Angela Lansbury encourages women to embody a balance of strength and nurturing qualities. This statement emphasizes the importance of women developing their own agency while also maintaining their inherent capacity for care and compassion, thereby creating a harmonious blend of assertiveness and empathy in their personalities.


"It's wonderful when you can play a role that has a moral center to it."

This quote by Angela Lansbury highlights her appreciation for characters that embody a strong moral compass. In storytelling, roles with a clear ethical core provide audiences an opportunity to relate, learn, and be inspired by the choices and actions of these characters. It underscores the importance of creating well-rounded, ethically grounded characters in media, which can serve as positive role models and guideposts for personal and societal values.


"The greatest challenge of acting is being simple, because simplicity is the ultimate sophistication."

This quote suggests that the most challenging aspect of acting lies in mastering simplicity, as true sophistication comes from this minimalistic approach. In essence, the more effortlessly one can convey complex emotions or intricate characters with a seemingly effortless performance, the greater the level of sophistication in their craft. It underscores the importance of restraint and subtlety in acting, emphasizing that simplicity is the key to captivating audiences authentically.


"I think that people respond to kindness, they really do. If you're kind to them, they will be kind back."

This quote suggests that kindness is a powerful tool in influencing others. The reciprocation of kindness implies a general human tendency to treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated, fostering a positive and harmonious environment. By being kind, individuals inspire similar behavior, thus creating a cycle of positivity and respect among people.


I never regretted what I turned down.

- Angela Lansbury

Down, Never, Turned, Regretted

Those who have known the quality of my work and the many public statements I have made over the course of my life must know that I am a strong supporter of Women's Rights.

- Angela Lansbury

Strong, My Life, Statements, Strong Supporter

The theater is magical and addictive.

- Angela Lansbury

Magical, Theater, Addictive

Believe me, it jabs you. When you're on the side of buses and New York loves you, you love to go out there every night. It's like a race. Curtain opens, out you go, and New York is yours.

- Angela Lansbury

Love, New, Side, Buses

I had the ability, but I didn't have the name. They could have built me, which is what they did with Deborah Kerr, but I don't think I was quite hot enough in the looks department, quite frankly. I was all talent and no looks.

- Angela Lansbury

Think, Which, Built, Department

Through years and years of playing to various audiences, what I've learned is - and I think quite a few actors will agree with me - we're not always the best judge of that audience's reactions or not. And we discover, to our amazement, at the end of the show, they bring the house down with applause, and we thought, 'No way tonight,' you know.

- Angela Lansbury

Through, Tonight, Amazement, Applause

I think of myself as a journeyman actress. I will attempt almost anything that I think that I can bring off. It could be almost anything.

- Angela Lansbury

Think, Actress, I Think, Almost Anything

I lead a very regimented life. I take excruciating care of myself: I take a lot of vitamins, get enough sleep, don't drink apart from a glass of wine occasionally.

- Angela Lansbury

Glass, Very, Excruciating, Wine

There is no excuse whatsoever for men to harass women in an abusive sexual manner. And, I am devastated that anyone should deem me capable of thinking otherwise.

- Angela Lansbury

Whatsoever, Otherwise, Deem, Devastated

We all have levels of performance.

- Angela Lansbury

Performance, Levels

I have never directed. But I think I could. I have thought about it. I'm a bit long in the tooth to start.

- Angela Lansbury

Think, I Think, Directed, Tooth

I started in London, as a kid. My mother knew I had sort of an inbred talent. She was an actress, so I inherited it from her. But I think I got a lot of it from my grandfather, who was a great politician.

- Angela Lansbury

London, Kid, I Think, Inherited

Mystery is something that appeals to most everybody.

- Angela Lansbury

Mystery, Everybody, Most, Appeals

Clint Eastwood is an extraordinary director because he knows the value of a buck. He knows where it will show on the screen.

- Angela Lansbury

Will, Eastwood, Clint, Buck

Those of us who were 12 or 13 when the war started were absolutely thrown into the mainstream. We had to grow up instantly and take care of ourselves.

- Angela Lansbury

War, Grow, Thrown, Mainstream

A sitcom. I hate that word.

- Angela Lansbury

Hate, Word, Sitcom

The Manchurian Candidate was the most important movie I was in, let's face it.

- Angela Lansbury

Important, Most, Candidate

I was put under contract. A major studio. I got nominated for an Academy Award. Isn't that ridiculous? I mean, at the age of 18!

- Angela Lansbury

Contract, Studio, Got, Award

I've never been particularly aware of my age. It's like being on a bicycle - I just put my foot down and keep going.

- Angela Lansbury

Bicycle, Been, Particularly, Foot

'Blithe Spirit' is played almost all over Britain somewhere at all times because it is such a unique and ridiculously funny show. But it's also, in fact, under those layers of humor, a very serious show. It's quite misogynistic.

- Angela Lansbury

Fact, Very, Britain, Ridiculously

Bringing humor and bringing happiness and joy to an audience is a wonderful opportunity in life, believe me.

- Angela Lansbury

Happiness, Humor, Audience, Bringing

I've worked with the greatest actors, and they're all gone. This is what's so desperate to me.

- Angela Lansbury

Me, Greatest, Worked, Desperate

Here I am, I still go on, you know, like the tides.

- Angela Lansbury

I Am, Like, Still, Here

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