Angela Lansbury, a celebrated actress whose career spanned eight decades, has died at the age of 96.

Lansbury was a star of theater, film and television, winning five Tony Awards and an honorary Academy Award in 2013.

By the time she was 20, Lansbury had already been nominated for two Oscars. But she may have achieved her greatest fame in her 60s, for her starring role as the mystery-solving novelist Jessica Fletcher in TV's "Murder, She Wrote."

Generations of children also revered Lansbury for her Disney roles, first in the 1971 movie musical "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" and later as the voice of Mrs. Potts in the 1991 animated film "Beauty and the Beast." Lansbury sang the "Beauty and the Beast" theme song that went on to win the Oscar for best original song.

Lansbury appears with Hurd Hatfield in 1945's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." It was one of her earliest film roles, and it earned her one of her three Academy Award nominations. By the age of 20, Lansbury already had two Oscar nominations.
Lansbury appears with Hurd Hatfield in 1945's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." It was one of her earliest film roles, and it earned her one of her three Academy Award nominations. By the age of 20, Lansbury already had two Oscar nominations.
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Lansbury, seen here in 1945, moved to United States from England in 1940. In 1943, she signed a seven-year contract with MGM.
Lansbury, seen here in 1945, moved to United States from England in 1940. In 1943, she signed a seven-year contract with MGM.
AP
Lansbury and her second husband, actor Peter Shaw, cut the cake at their wedding in 1949. Lansbury was briefly married to Richard Cromwell before divorcing after less than a year. She and Shaw were married until his death in 2003.
Lansbury and her second husband, actor Peter Shaw, cut the cake at their wedding in 1949. Lansbury was briefly married to Richard Cromwell before divorcing after less than a year. She and Shaw were married until his death in 2003.
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Lansbury, right, attends a charity ball with Ginger Rogers in 1966.
Lansbury, right, attends a charity ball with Ginger Rogers in 1966.
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Lansbury poses with gold records in New York in 1967. The records recognized the album from the Broadway musical "Mame," which Lansbury starred in. For her work in "Mame," Lansbury also won the Tony Award for best actress in a musical.
Lansbury poses with gold records in New York in 1967. The records recognized the album from the Broadway musical "Mame," which Lansbury starred in. For her work in "Mame," Lansbury also won the Tony Award for best actress in a musical.
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From left, James Earl Jones, Julie Harris, Lansbury and Jerry Orbach pose for a photo on the day after the 1969 Tony Awards. They were the top winners that year. Lansbury won for her work in the musical "Dear World." Over her career, Lansbury was nominated for seven Tony Awards and won five.
From left, James Earl Jones, Julie Harris, Lansbury and Jerry Orbach pose for a photo on the day after the 1969 Tony Awards. They were the top winners that year. Lansbury won for her work in the musical "Dear World." Over her career, Lansbury was nominated for seven Tony Awards and won five.
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Lansbury and her son Anthony go over the script of a play they were working on together in 1982. Lansbury and Peter Shaw had two children together, Anthony and Deirdre. Lansbury also had a stepson, David, from her husband's first marriage.
Lansbury and her son Anthony go over the script of a play they were working on together in 1982. Lansbury and Peter Shaw had two children together, Anthony and Deirdre. Lansbury also had a stepson, David, from her husband's first marriage.
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Lansbury celebrates the 100th episode of the TV series "Murder, She Wrote" in 1989. From 1984 to 1996, Lansbury starred on the show as mystery-solving author Jessica Fletcher.
Lansbury celebrates the 100th episode of the TV series "Murder, She Wrote" in 1989. From 1984 to 1996, Lansbury starred on the show as mystery-solving author Jessica Fletcher.
Douglas C. Pizac/AP
Lansbury holds up the Golden Globe she won in 1990 for her role in "Murder, She Wrote."
Lansbury holds up the Golden Globe she won in 1990 for her role in "Murder, She Wrote."
Pizac/AP
Lansbury and her daughter, Deirdre, arrive at the Emmy Awards in 1991.
Lansbury and her daughter, Deirdre, arrive at the Emmy Awards in 1991.
Julies Markes/AP
Lansbury and dancers rehearse a performance of the "Beauty and the Beast" theme song at the Academy Awards show in 1992. Lansbury voiced Mrs. Potts in the 1991 animated movie, and she sang the ballad that would go on to win the Oscar.
Lansbury and dancers rehearse a performance of the "Beauty and the Beast" theme song at the Academy Awards show in 1992. Lansbury voiced Mrs. Potts in the 1991 animated movie, and she sang the ballad that would go on to win the Oscar.
Greg Harbaugh/AP
Lansbury attends a 1995 benefit with grandchildren Ian, Katherine and Peter.
Lansbury attends a 1995 benefit with grandchildren Ian, Katherine and Peter.
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Lansbury leaves her handprints during a Disney Legends event in 1995.
Lansbury leaves her handprints during a Disney Legends event in 1995.
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From left, Placido Domingo, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Lansbury, Chuck Berry and Clint Eastwood pose for photos during the Kennedy Center Honors Gala in 2000.
From left, Placido Domingo, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Lansbury, Chuck Berry and Clint Eastwood pose for photos during the Kennedy Center Honors Gala in 2000.
Neshan H. Naltchayan/AFP/Getty Images
Lansbury poses with drag queens Brandy Wine and Brenda A. Go-Go during a costume ball in New York in 2006.
Lansbury poses with drag queens Brandy Wine and Brenda A. Go-Go during a costume ball in New York in 2006.
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Lansbury, with various Broadway cast members, performs at the Light the Lights Broadway Is Back! concert in 2007.
Lansbury, with various Broadway cast members, performs at the Light the Lights Broadway Is Back! concert in 2007.
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Lansbury accepts the Tony Award in 2009 for her role in the play "Blithe Spirit."
Lansbury accepts the Tony Award in 2009 for her role in the play "Blithe Spirit."
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Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones appear at the curtain call for a Broadway performance of "A Little Night Music" in 2009.
Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones appear at the curtain call for a Broadway performance of "A Little Night Music" in 2009.
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Lansbury was presented with an honorary award at the Academy Awards in 2013.
Lansbury was presented with an honorary award at the Academy Awards in 2013.
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Lansbury poses inside the Gielgud Theatre in London in 2014. There, she would appear in a new production of "Blithe Spirit."
Lansbury poses inside the Gielgud Theatre in London in 2014. There, she would appear in a new production of "Blithe Spirit."
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In 2014, Lansbury was formally invested as a dame by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
In 2014, Lansbury was formally invested as a dame by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
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Lansbury attends the 25th anniversary screening of "Beauty and the Beast" in 2016.
Lansbury attends the 25th anniversary screening of "Beauty and the Beast" in 2016.
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Lansbury and James Earl Jones speak at the Tony Awards in 2016.
Lansbury and James Earl Jones speak at the Tony Awards in 2016.
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Lansbury dances with Michael Gambon in the "Little Women" miniseries that aired in the United States in 2018.
Lansbury dances with Michael Gambon in the "Little Women" miniseries that aired in the United States in 2018.
PBS/Everett Collection