Angela Lansbury, renowned for her iconic roles as Jessica Fletcher in Murder She Wrote and Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, often portrayed strong, independent women. However, behind the scenes, she cherished a remarkable partnership with her husband of over fifty years, Hollywood agent and producer Peter Pullen Shaw. Their enduring relationship was a cornerstone of her life and career.
Lansbury, celebrated for her contributions to dramatic arts and honored as a Dame by Queen Elizabeth, was an acclaimed actress across stage and screen. By the age of twenty, she had already garnered two Academy Award nominations for her roles in Gaslight and National Velvet. Her talent further shone on Broadway, where she secured six Tony Awards for her performances in musicals like Sweeney Todd. Peter Pullen Shaw, on the other hand, embarked on his career as an actor, taking on minor roles in films such as Bride of Frankenstein, before transitioning into a successful agent. He represented legendary figures in Hollywood, including Katharine Hepburn and Robert Mitchum.
Despite both being British by birth, Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw’s paths crossed in the heart of Hollywood. They married in 1949 and built a family with three children. Their son Anthony arrived in 1952, followed by daughter Dierdre in 1953. David, Peter Pullen Shaw’s son from a previous marriage, born in 1944, also became an integral part of their family life.
Angela Lansbury described their bond as “We had the perfect relationship,” after Peter Pullen Shaw’s passing in 2003, according to The Daily Mail. She emphasized, “Not many people can say that. He was everything to me: we were partners at work as well as husband and wife and lovers. I don’t know how we had such a long marriage, but the simple fact was that we were devoted to one another.”
Here’s a closer look into the beautiful and enduring marriage of Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw.
A Classic Hollywood Meeting for Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw
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Angela Lansbury and Peter Shaw, a portrait of a loving Hollywood couple.
When Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw first encountered each other, both were navigating their acting careers in Los Angeles. Their meeting was orchestrated as a blind date, sparking an immediate and profound connection between them.
Recalling their first encounter, Lansbury shared with The New York Times in 2010, “When he came into my life on a blind date, we just locked emotionally together, and we never looked back.” This instant emotional resonance laid the foundation for their lifelong partnership.
Angela Lansbury’s Insightful Career Guidance for Peter Pullen Shaw
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A young Angela Lansbury and Peter Shaw pictured in 1948, early in their relationship.
At the time they met, Angela Lansbury’s acting career was already ascending with consecutive Academy Award nominations. Peter Pullen Shaw, however, had only secured minor, often uncredited roles in American films. Lansbury, with her characteristic candor, recognized Peter Pullen Shaw’s strengths lay elsewhere. As she recounted to The New York Times, “He was really not a good enough actor. I’m quite well known for having said this to him … and he would have been the first person to agree. I said, ‘Peter, you’re a terrific guy, but you’re not an actor.’ ”
This honest assessment led Peter Pullen Shaw to transition behind the camera, initially as an agent and later becoming Angela Lansbury’s manager. She described his pivotal role in her career, “He became my mentor, my manager, my everything,” emphasizing his comprehensive support both professionally and personally. Peter Pullen Shaw’s career flourished as a respected agent and later as a successful film and television producer.
The Wedding of Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw in 1949
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A vintage photograph of Angela Lansbury on her wedding day, a radiant bride.
Despite residing in Los Angeles, Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw chose to return to the United Kingdom for their wedding ceremony. In 1993, Lansbury graciously shared cherished wedding photos with PEOPLE magazine, offering a glimpse into their intimate celebration.
“We were married on Aug. 12, 1949, in a small ceremony in St. Columbia’s Church in London,” Lansbury recounted. She fondly described the attendees: “My mother, Moyna Macgill, is standing next to Peter, and his father, Walter Pullen, is next to me. Because my father had died in 1934 when I was 9, my brother Edgar gave me away.” The wedding marked the beginning of their celebrated life together.
Family Life: Children of Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw
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Angela Lansbury, Peter Shaw, and their son Anthony Shaw pictured at the Ruby Awards in 1979.
Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw expanded their family with the births of their son, Anthony Pullen Shaw, on January 7, 1952, and their daughter, Deirdre Angela Shaw, on April 26, 1953. Peter Pullen Shaw’s son David Shaw from his previous marriage further enriched their family dynamic.
Lansbury emphasized their shared approach to family and career, telling The Daily Mail in 2014, “We made all decisions jointly and we helped and supported each other constantly. My career was important to me but our children, Anthony and Deidre, always came first.” Family was clearly a central priority in their lives.
Reflecting on the balance between work and motherhood, Lansbury admitted some regrets about focusing on her career too soon after having children. “As soon as I had the babies I went on a diet and I was back in business,” she recalled. “I do regret that. It was a big mistake. You have to be with your children.”
Relocating to Ireland: A Family Decision by Peter Pullen Shaw and Angela Lansbury
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Angela Lansbury and Peter Shaw at the Actors Fund Benefit Party in Los Angeles, 1986.
During the 1960s, their children Dierdre and Anthony became entangled with a troubled peer group, leading to drug use and, concerningly, alleged associations with the Manson family.
Lansbury described this challenging period to The Daily Mail in 2014: “It started with cannabis but moved on to heroin. There were factions up in the hills above Malibu that were dedicated to deadly pursuits. It pains me to say it but, at one stage, Deidre was in with a crowd led by Charles Manson. She was one of many youngsters who knew him — and they were fascinated. He was an extraordinary character, charismatic in many ways, no question about it.”
To protect their children from these dangerous influences, Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw made a significant decision to move their family to Ireland. “moved the family there to distance the kids from L.A.” Lansbury explained. “I was drawn to Ireland because it was the birthplace of my mother and it was also somewhere my children wouldn’t be exposed to any more bad influences,” She further added, “I refused all work for a year and simply kept house. I bought Elizabeth David’s books and learnt how to cook properly. It was a wonderful time in my life.”
This relocation proved transformative. The tranquility of their new Irish home helped their children overcome their struggles with substance abuse and strengthened their family bonds. Lansbury acknowledged the difficulties they faced in finding adequate support for addiction at the time, emphasizing, “Certainly, I have no doubt we would have lost one or both of our two if they hadn’t been removed to a completely different milieu, the simplicity of life in Ireland. We were so very, very lucky we spotted what was happening just in time.”
Professional Collaboration: Peter Pullen Shaw and Murder, She Wrote
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Peter Shaw and Angela Lansbury at the 41st Annual Tony Awards in New York City, 1987.
Angela Lansbury’s most iconic role, Jessica Fletcher in Murder, She Wrote, which enjoyed a twelve-season run and captivated audiences of up to 20 million viewers per episode, was a venture Peter Pullen Shaw significantly influenced.
It was Peter Pullen Shaw who encouraged her to venture into television. “My husband particularly felt I should at least scratch the surface of TV,” she told PEOPLE in 1986. Initially, the appeal was also pragmatic: “Financially, there’s a tremendous amount of money in it — and without too much work, we thought. Well, that was a big misunderstanding of the facts.”
The demanding schedule of a weekly, hour-long drama proved more intensive than anticipated. However, Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw embraced the challenge as a family endeavor. Peter Pullen Shaw, along with their sons Anthony and David, established Corymore Productions, which took on producing responsibilities for Murder, She Wrote and subsequent made-for-TV movies starring Lansbury. Anthony also played a key role, directing 68 episodes of the beloved series.
Peter Pullen Shaw’s insights into Angela Lansbury’s on-screen persona were astute. When asked to compare Lansbury with her character, he remarked, “It’s awfully hard to tell the difference between the two. Angela has that marvelous gumption, and that’s one of the nice things that Jessica has.”
Staying Grounded: The Values of Angela Lansbury and Peter Pullen Shaw
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Angela Lansbury and Peter Shaw at the 1999 Tony Awards, a glamorous Hollywood couple.
Following Angela Lansbury’s death in 2022, their children made the decision to sell the Los Angeles home that Angela and Peter Pullen Shaw had purchased in 1985.
Their daughter, Deirdre, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in 2023, reflected on the unassuming nature of their family home, especially considering Lansbury’s celebrity status. She noted it was modest because her parents “weren’t into material things.”
Deirdre further emphasized their grounded perspective: “Neither she nor my father came from money, and they appreciated everything they had. A lot of big stars these days, they forget. But they never did.” This highlights the values that Peter Pullen Shaw and Angela Lansbury maintained throughout their successful careers.
Devotion Until the End: Angela Lansbury Caring for Peter Pullen Shaw
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Angela Lansbury and Peter Shaw attending the Lucy Awards in Beverly Hills, 1996, a picture of enduring love.
Peter Pullen Shaw passed away on January 29, 2003, at their Brentwood home. As his health declined, Angela Lansbury made the heartfelt decision to withdraw from a Broadway musical, The Visit, to dedicate herself fully to his care.
In a poignant reflection to The New York Times in 2007, Lansbury shared, “And when I say I took care of him, I really took care of him.” This final act of devotion underscored the depth of their lifelong commitment and love. Peter Pullen Shaw and Angela Lansbury’s relationship stands as a testament to enduring partnership in Hollywood and beyond.
