Since the death of beloved actor and singer Angela Lansbury on October 11, we have been reminded of her character as well as her undeniable talent through shared stories, videos and photos that have been circulating the internet.
One such story was about a resurfaced 2014 interview Lansbury had with Mail Online. In the interview, the Murder She Wrote actor revealed that in an effort to protect her children, she moved her family to Ireland.
Lansbury shared that her son Anthony and daughter Deidre had fallen into a scary crowd and became heavily addicted to drugs in their early teens.
And the leader of that crowd was none other than cult leader and murderer Charles Manson.
Lansbury told Mail Online:
"It pains me to say it, but at one point, Deidre was in 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."
She decided that "something had to be done."
"I said to Peter, 'We have to leave.' So we upped sticks and moved the family to a house I found in County Cork."
"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."
Lansbury stopped working for a year and "kept the house, bought Elizabeth David's books, and learned to cook properly."
"It was a wonderful time in my life."
Thankfully, the move did help her children's situation.
"Anthony pulled right out of his bad habits quite quickly."
She revealed that it took Deidre "a little longer," but she did eventually settle down and get married.
Twitter users who learned of Lansbury's sacrifices commended her bravery and fight for her children despite what it could have done to her career.
\u201c@RasberryRazz A lady who cared the children I am sure treasured her. Condolences to them.\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz @AmyKinLA We all could learn from her. We need to since the \u201crole models\u201d out there right now seem to prefer teaching cruelty & indifference.\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz @Velvetwolf07 When I read this the other day I was shocked. I never knew this story. Good mother\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz @bjxmas An awesome woman! A fav of my mom\u2019s! RIP\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz @BenMank77 now that's a mom\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz Angela made the right decisions and saved her children. An amazing story. May she RIP!\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz Remarkable woman.\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz @jjackso47500133 So totally awesome \ud83d\ude0a\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201c@RasberryRazz What an awesome mom\u201d— Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest (@Margaret "Molly" Rasberry\ud83c\udff3\ufe0f\u200d\ud83c\udf08 BLM\ud83d\udd1c919filmfest) 1665519821
\u201cShhh\u2026.I need to read about how Angela Lansbury saved her daughter from Charles Manson. Now that\u2019s a MOTHER.\u201d— Ellen Barkin (@Ellen Barkin) 1665618635
Lansbury shared that the move was no doubt worth the sacrifice:
"Certainly, I have no doubt that 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."
She finished:
"We were so very, very lucky we spotted what was happening just in time."
Upon her return to her career on Broadway, Lansbury earned a Tony Award for each of her roles in Mame, Gypsy, and Sweeney Todd.
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