"Beauty and the Beast" Star Robby Benson and More Mourn Angela Lansbury's Death: "A True Giant"

Published on Oct 11, 2022 at 7:05 PM

Celebrities and fans alike are mourning the death of Angela Lansbury after the actor's family confirmed the news on Oct. 11. In a statement to Variety, they 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 1:30 AM today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday."

Lansbury, a Broadway icon and five-time Tony-winning actor, was best known for her iconic roles in 1991's "Beauty and the Beast" and "Murder, She Wrote." Some of her other notable work included starring in "Mame," "Dear World," "Sweeney Todd," "Gypsy," "Blithe Spirit," "Gaslight," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," and "The Manchurian Candidate." During her career, Lansbury was nominated for three Oscars and awarded a lifetime achievement honor from the Academy in 2013.

In the wake of Lansbury's death, stars have been sharing tributes to the late actor on social media. On Oct. 11, "Cinderella" actor Jason Alexander tweeted, "The great Angela Lansbury - one of the most versatile, talented, graceful, kind, witty, wise, classy ladies I've ever met has left us. Her huge contribution to the arts and the world remains always. #ripAngelaLansbury." Meanwhile, Playbill described Lansbury as "one of the most beloved and respected performers in show business."

In an interview with People, Robby Benson — who voiced Beast in the animated "Beauty and the Beast" film alongside Lansbury — said, "One of the most memorable moments in my life was being so very fortunate to be in the recording studio when Ms. Lansbury sang the title song 'Beauty and the Beast.' For me, the 2 minutes and 46 seconds was a lifetime of inspiration."

Read ahead to see how other stars are mourning Lansbury's death.

Robby Benson

"One of the most memorable moments in my life was being so very fortunate to be in the recording studio when Ms. Lansbury sang the title song 'Beauty and the Beast,'" the actor told People on Oct. 11. "For me, the 2 minutes and 46 seconds was a lifetime of inspiration."

George Takei

"Angela Lansbury, who graced the stage for decades winning five Tony awards and brought the sleuthing Jessica Fletcher into our living rooms for a dozen years, has passed. A tale old as time, our beloved Mrs. Potts will sing lullabies to us now from the stars," the "Star Trek" actor tweeted. "Rest, great soul."

Jason Alexander

"The great Angela Lansbury - one of the most versatile, talented, graceful, kind, witty, wise, classy ladies I've ever met has left us," he tweeted. "Her huge contribution to the arts and the world remains always. #ripAngelaLansbury."

Kathy Griffin

"Nooooooo!!! 💔," the comedian wrote in one tweet. In another, she wrote, "I cannot tell you how many ladies and gays are crushed, moved and feeling nostalgic about something in the past with the news of the passing of the fabulous Dame Angela Lansbury."

Jesse Tyler Ferguson

"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," the "Modern Family" actor wrote in a tweet. "She was incredibly lovely and I'm so glad I had that brief time with her. RIP Angela."

Kevin McKidd

"I will NEVER forget the magical night I got to perform in front of and get to MEET the legend, Angela Lansbury," McKidd tweeted alongside a photo of him and the late actor. "She was a true giant and a kind, humble and charming person. I'm blessed to have met her. Rest In Peace."

Paul Rudnick

In a tweet with a photo of Lansbury, the playwright wrote, "This is what stardom means, especially in the theater: she provided the most fabulous, irreplaceable joy. She was beloved as a person and an actress, and managed to be approachable, glamorous and heartbreaking. She'll be missed, celebrated and adored."

Jeremy O. Harris

"Not Angela!!!" the playwright tweeted along with a video of the late actor. "RIP ANGELA LANSBURY THE ABSOLUTE GOAT! You shaped so much of my childhood and adolescence!"