logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Angela Lansbury's Stepson David Gives Candid Interview about the Actress and Her Family

Claudine Varela
Mar 08, 2020
03:00 A.M.

"She didn't have to have me," says Angela Lansbury's stepson who opened up about the actress' devotion to her family in the midst of her success in Hollywood.

Advertisement

Angela Lansbury is widely known as TV’s favorite sleuth, Mrs. Fletcher from her hit series, “Murder She Wrote.” But not many are aware that in the midst of her success is a family she puts first. In fact, not only did she thrive in a 5-decade marriage, but she was also a great mom to her two children as well as her stepson.

Angela Lansbury accepting her honorary award from the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences in November 2013. | Photo: Getty Images

Angela Lansbury accepting her honorary award from the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences in November 2013. | Photo: Getty Images

WHY HER FAMILY COMES FIRST

Following a short marriage to fellow actor Richard Cromwell who turned out to be gay, Angela wed the man who she would spend over fifty years with, Peter Shaw. She had two children with Peter, Anthony and Deidre, and a stepson, David who grew up adoring her.

In 2019, David spoke of his stepmother with only good words. “She always put family first,” he had said.

Advertisement

Juggling her career and family life was not an easy task for Angela in the beginning. In fact, she chose her career over her kids early in their lives. The "Beauty and the Beast" star confessed to going on a diet as soon as her children were born in order to go back to work. But it was a decision she would later regret.

Angela Lansbury and husband, Peter Shaw attending the Television Academy Gala honoring the actress in February 1990. | Photo: Getty Images

Angela Lansbury and husband, Peter Shaw attending the Television Academy Gala honoring the actress in February 1990. | Photo: Getty Images

Due to Angela’s frequent absence, Anthony and Deidre fell into drugs. It was a turning point for the actress who decided to drop everything and attend to her children. She uprooted her family from Los Angeles and moved to Ireland where she used to live as a preadolescent.

For a year, she didn’t accept any projects and just focused on her children’s health. This proved to be a good decision because she managed to turn their lives around.

Advertisement

“One of the biggest joys for me right now is my family…If there’s one thing I want more time for at this stage of my life, it’s them.”

A portrait of Angela Lansbury taken at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena in January 2018. | Photo: Getty Images

A portrait of Angela Lansbury taken at The Langham Huntington in Pasadena in January 2018. | Photo: Getty Images

THE STEPSON SHE LOVED LIKE HER OWN

As for David, he is grateful for the "great lady” Angela is because she treated him like her own son. He told Closer Weekly, “I came in and she didn’t have to have me. It was an incredible thing to do.”

David went on to become the head of Angela’s company, Corymore which she and her husband who also became her manager established in the midst of her success in “Murder She Wrote.” Anthony eventually helped his mother direct some episodes of the series. Meanwhile, Deidre focused on the Italian restaurant she runs with her husband in Santa Monica.

Advertisement
Angela Lansbury and her stepson David Shaw at a memorial held for her late husband, Peter Shaw in Brentwood in February 2003. | Photo: Getty Images

Angela Lansbury and her stepson David Shaw at a memorial held for her late husband, Peter Shaw in Brentwood in February 2003. | Photo: Getty Images

OVERCOMING A LOW POINT IN HER LIFE

But not all was well for Angela who suffered from depression after Peter’s death in 2003. She later recovered by immersing herself in theatrical work and working on the 2005 film, “Nanny McPhee.”

Today, Angela, 94, is a doting great-grandmother. She welcomed her first great-grandchild in 2017 courtesy of Anthony's son, Peter who has two other siblings, Ian and Katherine

Advertisement

“I’m doing all the spoiling,” the "Little Women" star proudly told Woman and Home that year. And though she’s at the primetime of her life, Angela wishes to have more years to spend with her family.

“One of the biggest joys for me right now is my family…If there’s one thing I want more time for at this stage of my life, it’s them.”

What an inspiring life Angela has led all these years.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

David Sanov Is Alison Sweeney's Husband of More Than 2 Decades

January 22, 2024

After Mom's Death, Son Kicks Stepdad Out of the House & Posh Car Stops in Front of the Old Man — Story of the Day

February 19, 2024

Vanessa Williams Found Love with 'Traditional Kind of Guy' in Her 50s & Is Also a Happy Granny

February 21, 2024

What Happened to Starsky from 'Starsky & Hutch' Who Raised Son Following Death of His Wife & Daughter

January 09, 2024

Bride's Dad Meets Groom's Sister and Recognizes His Daughter's Real Mom — Story of the Day

February 14, 2024

JLo's Ex Became Dad Following Proposal to New Partner a Month after Singer Got Engaged to Ben Affleck Again

January 17, 2024

This Girl Was Told She Was 'Not Pretty Enough' for Film Yet She Won 2 Oscars & Raised Sons Following in Her Footsteps

November 08, 2023

Valerie Bertinelli, 63, Shows Pics of Her 'Overweight' Body in a Swimsuit, Sparking an Online Stir

February 14, 2024

Mariska Hargitay Showed Off Her Three Rarely-Seen Children, One of Whom Has Grown Taller than Her

November 04, 2023

Melissa Etheridge Talks about the Death of Her Son Who Is ‘Not in Pain Anymore’

December 03, 2023

Peter Falk's Daughter Was Banned from Dad's Funeral - Years Later She Fought for the Rights of Other Families

January 16, 2024

My Mother-in-Law Barged into Our Family Dinner, Took My Seat & Plate

January 18, 2024

Mom Welcomes Santa-In-Disguise on Christmas Eve, Only to Learn He's Wanted by Police on TV – Story of the Day

January 09, 2024

'Who’s the Boss?': What Happened to Its Main Actors since the Series Ended over 3 Decades Ago

December 07, 2023