Beloved actress Angela Lansbury died yesterday, just a few days short of her 97th birthday. Tributes have been pouring in from around the world, with many recalling her iconic and award-winning roles.
However, others have been singing her praises for other reasons. Among these was her fundraising for AIDS-related causes during the worst years of the epidemic, before effective treatment became available.
This tweet celebrated the time she sent Christmas cards to 10,000 Aid for AIDS supporters, wishing them a happy season and reminding them of the need for further donations.
During the worst years of the AIDS crisis, Angela Lansbury was a staple at AIDS benefits, helping raise millions of dollars to fund AIDS research & patient care. “This illness is robbing us of our friends and our futures. This disease knows no discrimination.” https://t.co/6jUwswZ2eT pic.twitter.com/rMMaoIEG35
— Eric Gonzaba (@EGonzaba) October 11, 2022
Related: Angela Lansbury has some choice words about her gay ex-husband
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
In September 1987, Lansbury was among the headliners at a huge AIDS fundraiser in Chicago.
A thing you should know:
In September, 1987, Angela Lansbury headlined a show that packed the Chicago Theater with 2,400 people to raise money for AIDS research. It was the first major AIDS benefit in Chicago, and it raised $1 million. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/lpKHNlGbsu— Rebecca Makkai (@rebeccamakkai) October 11, 2022
Lansbury helped raised millions for AIDS-related causes
In 1996, the Majestic Theatre on Broadway hosted a gala tribute night to Lansbury to celebrate both her career and her fundraising for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.
Among those to pay tribute was Dr. Mathilde Krim, the founding Co-Chair and then Chairman of the Board of AmFAR. He praised Ms. Lansbury, saying “in more than 10 years, Angela has never said ‘no’ when asked to help.”
Lansbury herself gave a 10-minute speech at the event. She said she’d been partly inspired to raise money for AIDS research by the death of Fritz Holt. He was the producer of Lansbury’s Gypsy and the former lover of the evening’s director/producer, Barry Brown. She ended by saying, “Never give up on the fight until the war is won. And we will win!”
Related: This is how the world first learned about AIDS 40 years ago today
Celebrities pay tribute to Lansbury’s advocacy and support
Others have praised Lansbury for her work advocating for women, and for the support she showed toward other performers.
My favorite fact about Angela Lansbury is that during her MURDER SHE WROTE era she made it a practice to hire guest actors of the golden age that had aged out of the game because it allowed them to earn the union points they needed for insurance, pensions, etc.
— Tess Sharpe (@sharpegirl) October 11, 2022
Sex And The City star Cynthia Nixon was among those to remember her fondly.
View this post on Instagram
Kathy Griffin tweeted, “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.”
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.
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) October 11, 2022
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. Rest, great soul.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) October 11, 2022
Love, Always. pic.twitter.com/7jvPJeBiX9
— RuPaul (@RuPaul) October 11, 2022
Previously unseen video interview released
Lansbury fans can check out a video interview the New York Times posted yesterday. The media outlet sat down with her in 2010. The outlet says, “She spoke with us with the understanding the interview would be published only after her death.”
The interview covers her career and personal life, including her marriage to her first husband, actor Richard Cromwell, who turned out to be gay, and her children’s battles with drugs.
LumpyPillows
Very sad at Angela’s passing. What a dame.
thebaddestbabby
Who?
wikidBSTN
Didn’t you read the article? She’s the woman who has done more for our community than you will ever do.
thebaddestbabby
I really doubt that….
Steve9999
Your gay card has been revoked. If you’re serious, you’re 12 years old. If you’re joking, you’reanasshole.
thebaddestbabby
I’m not joking, I just resent the idea that someone who raised $1m for AIDS research is like an automatic gay icon. What even movies was she in?
Kinkslola
Time to pull your head out of your ass dear
thebaddestbabby
can’t stand british people fr
barryaksarben
So how many millions have you raised? you are a pathetic troll. And you don’t like British people? I am sure they despise you. She was in so many movies b ut none of your level they are art not violent action thrillers. the Manchurian candidate is the one you should watch as Im sure you would be cheering on her character and her morals. LOL
dhm
I’ve read your remarks and I was going to write something, but why throw pearls before swine ?
KyleMichelSullivan
What a rude, tacky, childish thing to say. Are you adult enough to apologize for your poor manners? I don’t think so. Reading through your comments shows me some people are nothing more than ill-bred creatures, and will remain as such.
Den
It always amazes me how people like you get some sort of perverse pleasure in showing others how stupid and nasty they are! As has been noted, she has done more for the LGBT community than you ever will, has entertained more people than you ever will, and will be fondly remembered for generations. By contrast, people cannot wait to forget you.
Den
I should say how stupid and nasty YOU are.
Jon in Canada
If that’s all you can say, might I suggest you stick to being irrelevant…oh wait, you’ve already accomplished that.
jsmu
You’re a classless moron. That’s all.
nm4047
was pretty much thinking the same question of WTF is thebaddestbabby. But then I though, who cares?
robertkalin
I understand your youth and naivety. Your question should have been, _”Who?” Followed by, “I don’t know who she is. Please help me understand gay history.”
Joshooeerr
What movies was she in?! Try Gaslight, The Manchurian Candidate, Beauty and the Beast – classics all. But you wouldn’t have heard of them either. Because you’re clearly a moron.
Fahd
What a great talent and fabulous person! Unique in her gifts and service to others. She will be missed. RIP
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I always knew this day would come and it finally has arrived. If you guys have the time go to YouTube and look for the movie Something For Everyone. The movie is posted in parts but the whole movie is there and it’s good. It had a somewhat gay slant but it really wasn’t a gay movie. It was the one I’ll always remember her for.. That movie first and then the Manchurian Candidate second. Rest In Peace Angela.
wikidBSTN
Classy through and through. RIP
Mattster
It was remarkable that someone so cheerful and positive could play awful villains so effectively as in Gaslight and the Manchurian Candidate. And Sweeney Todd as well. I guess that’s why they call it “acting”.
She was widely loved and will be missed by many.
abfab
LOVETT:
No, y’see, the trouble with poet is
‘Ow do you know it’s deceased?
Try the priest!
GayEGO
I used to watch her on TV all of the time, so sad to see her go.
KyleMichelSullivan
She had range, in her acting, and kindness in her heart. One comfort in her passing is knowing, like with Betty White, even after nearly a hundred years on this earth people are still so very sorry to see her go.
bachy
A tremendous talent, a cultural touchstone, a generous heart.
Thank you for all of it, Angela.
rray63
One of the few legends left, she will be sorely missed.
seven5tx
We all loved her. These ignorant do NOT know what it takes to be a TRUE gay icon.
It is very simple. They gay men love you. One earns it by being loved. Not for raising money or running into a burning building and saving a bunch of simpering queens. It is because we love you and that needs no explanation. My male icon is Tab Hunter. I was maybe 12 and knew I loved boys but did not consider myself gay, or understood at that point. I was on the floor in front of the tv watching an old movie. I was rapt by his beauty and as he kissed that woman I had a deep deep yearning that he would kiss me like that. That was the minute I understood I was different.
Not for the TROLLINA, shut your pie hole.
still_onthemark
I’ve never seen “Gaslight” and just found out it’s on HBO Max, I’ll watch it tonight!
Joshooeerr
It’s worth noting that – like a lot of gay-friendly actresses – Angela Lansbury married a gay man, her first husband Richard Cromwell. The marriage only lasted nine months, but Lansbury said she never regretted it and they remained friends.
Kangol2
Angela Lansbury was a remarkable person in so many ways. A great actress on screen, she also was brilliant on TV and on stage. People who worked with her also attested to how lovely she was to deal with. She also made AIDS a priority when many in Hollywood were still running from it. People have mentioned her iconic film roles, but she was as accomplished on stage as she was before a camera, and how can anyone of a certain age forget her iconic role as Jessica Fletcher on Murder, She Wrote? RIP.
Consider This
She made a real positive difference in the LGBT community. With much appreciation!
MacAdvisor
She will always be my Auntie Mame opening new windows, opening new doors, and, because of her, I am not a dull fellow. G-d bless, Dame Lansbury.
Vera Delmar
Regarding “thebaddestbabby”….See this is what you get with today’s young gay twinks and younger Gens who have no idea of the struggles older gay people endured to give them the life they enjoy now. Self-absorbed and entitled buttholes! And don’t bother suggesting he read any gay history. He’d probably run in the opposite direction to read about the Kardashians, the Kanyes and the other celebrities these young punks follow. The baddestbabby is horribly smug and self-centered, self-regarding!
sfcarlos65
Since I heard the news, I’ve playing, “We Need a Little Christmas”, a lot. RIP, dear lady.
Jimmynj
She was a truly classy lady whose contributions to entertainment and the gay community are immeasurable. May she rest in peace.
inbama
Go to Youtube and enter “Liasons Angela Lansbury” and choose the video clip from Sondheim’s 80th Birthday concert and you’ll see the most amazing rendition of Madame Armfeldt’s big number from “A Little Night Music” ever.
To see her dancing, on Youtube, enter “Angela Lansbury Millie” where she performs the title song from the Julie Andrews musical at the 1967 Oscars hosted by Bop Hope.
Invader7
A class act.. And 96 !!!
Archbishop763
Dame Angela Lansbury was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. The big screen, the small screen and the stage were all the same to her. Comedy, music, drama and villainousness were no match for her unmatchable talent. She was the epitome of grace and class that very few people have ever achieved. She was also an activist for change and for the assistance of people in need using her gifts to help them. No one of her like will ever grace this world again. Rest in peace my dear Lady. Heaven appreciates all of the beauty, talent, compassion and charisma that you bring along with you. You will never be forgotten.
seven5tx
Speaking of young gays. It was not that many years ago and I was speaking with this young friend. He called someone else “Miss Thing” then turned to me to explain that is what they do. Like they invented it. I said people have been saying that for 150 years