"Mystery is something that appeals to most everybody." - Angela Lansbury
Founder Mylissa Malley with Angela Lansbury (left) and with her grandmother (right), both of which could solve a murder mystery any day of the week.
In honor of Angela Lansbury's 92nd birthday, I thought I'd pay a little tribute to the queen of murder mysteries. Here are the top five reasons I love the star of Murder She Wrote:
1. I grew up with Murder She Wrote. My family didn't watch much television, but we watched Murder She wrote religiously. I love murder mysteries: How to Get Away with Murder, Law and Order SVU, and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. Watching Jessica Fletcher was like watching my grandmother solve crime.
2. She's a brilliant actress. I love Angela Lansbury as her character Jessica Fletcher, but she also walks the planks of the theater stage. I've seen her in two productions in New York: Deuce and Blithe Spirit. In both plays she was amazing; it was like an acting clinic for anyone else in theater.
3. Angela Lansbury wrote her own career. She never took roles she didn't want, and still turned herself into a legendary icon. As she said herself, "I never regretted what I turned down."
4. Angela Lansbury is really nice in person. Even at her advanced age (I met her when she was 82), she was gracious and accommodating for everyone waiting for her after Deuce at the stage door. She freely gave autographs, took pictures, and chatted to people who had seen the show. After a show performance, I often want to nap, and I'm a third of her age.
5. Angela Lansbury made me want to become an actor. When I was 10, I saw a clip of her singing "A Little Priest" from Sweeney Todd. For weeks I sang about making people into pies. My parents were thrilled, to say the least. I wanted to follow in her footsteps, although I'm still waiting to be cast as Mrs. Lovett.
I want to close with an invitation to dinner. I know you have a reputation, Angie, but you're welcome at our dinner table anytime.
