Did Angela Lansbury And Elizabeth Taylor Get Along? Unpacking A Hollywood Connection

Did Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor get along? It's a question that, quite frankly, pops up a lot when folks talk about classic Hollywood. These two incredibly talented women, both legends in their own right, certainly shared some screen time and, in a way, lived through similar eras of Tinseltown's golden age. People often wonder about the personal dynamics between stars, especially when they worked together or moved in similar circles. It's a natural curiosity, you know, to peek behind the curtain a little bit.

Their careers, while distinct, did intersect, most famously in a beloved film that showcased their early talents. So, it's pretty understandable why someone might ask if their on-screen chemistry, or perhaps even their off-screen lives, led to a lasting bond. They were both, in a way, child stars who grew into formidable adult actors, navigating the intense spotlight that came with such fame.

We're going to look at what history, and those who knew them, might tell us about the relationship between Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor. It’s a bit of a fascinating puzzle, actually, trying to piece together the nuances of their interactions, given their very public lives and distinct personalities. You might be surprised by what we find out.

Table of Contents

• Angela Lansbury: A Life on Stage and Screen
  • Angela Lansbury: Personal Details
• Elizabeth Taylor: The Ultimate Star
  • Elizabeth Taylor: Personal Details
• Their Shared Screen Time: National Velvet
  • Young Stars on Set
  • Beyond the Cameras
• Later Years and Public Perception
  • Respect and Admiration
  • The Mirror Crack'd Connection
• The Verdict: Friends or Colleagues?
  • A Professional Bond
  • Personalities and Public Lives
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Angela Lansbury: A Life on Stage and Screen

Angela Lansbury, born in London, England, in 1925, truly had a career that spanned decades, and stuff. She began her acting journey in the early 1940s, signing with MGM, and very quickly, too, earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in "Gaslight" in 1944. She was known for her incredible versatility, moving with ease from dramatic parts to comedic roles, and even, you know, becoming a beloved voice actress in animated films. Her ability to portray a wide range of characters, from villainesses to comforting grandmothers, really showcased her deep talent.

Later in her career, she found massive success on television as Jessica Fletcher in "Murder, She Wrote," a role that, honestly, made her a household name for millions around the globe. This show ran for many years, and it's almost like everyone's favorite cozy mystery. She also had an amazing presence on Broadway, winning multiple Tony Awards for her work in musicals like "Mame" and "Sweeney Todd." Her dedication to her craft was, quite simply, legendary, and she continued to perform well into her later years, still captivating audiences.

Angela Lansbury: Personal Details

Elizabeth Taylor: The Ultimate Star

Elizabeth Taylor, born in London in 1932, was, in a way, destined for stardom from a very young age. She started her film career as a child, gaining widespread recognition for her role in "National Velvet" in 1944, the very same film that featured Angela Lansbury, interestingly enough. Elizabeth Taylor became one of the most iconic figures in Hollywood history, known not just for her acting prowess but also for her striking beauty and her very public personal life.

Her career was marked by a string of successful films, earning her two Academy Awards for Best Actress, one for "Butterfield 8" and another for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" She had a unique ability to command the screen, truly captivating audiences with her intensity and emotional depth. Beyond her films, her multiple marriages, especially to Richard Burton, kept her constantly in the headlines, making her a true celebrity phenomenon, really.

Elizabeth Taylor was also a passionate humanitarian, dedicating a significant portion of her later life to AIDS activism. She co-founded the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and established the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, raising millions of dollars and bringing much-needed awareness to the cause. Her impact went far beyond the silver screen, too, leaving a lasting legacy in philanthropy.

Elizabeth Taylor: Personal Details

Their Shared Screen Time: National Velvet

The most significant professional overlap between Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor happened, as a matter of fact, in the 1944 film "National Velvet." This beloved movie told the story of a young girl, played by Elizabeth Taylor, who trains a wild horse for the Grand National steeplechase. Angela Lansbury played her older sister, Edwina Brown, a rather grounded and practical character, in contrast to Velvet's dreamy nature.

Young Stars on Set

During the filming of "National Velvet," Elizabeth Taylor was just 12 years old, and Angela Lansbury was 18. This was a formative experience for both of them, you know, being young actors navigating a major Hollywood production. Accounts from the set suggest a professional working relationship, which is pretty typical for cast members, especially those with different levels of experience at the time. Angela Lansbury was already a rising star, having just made a splash in "Gaslight," while "National Velvet" was the film that truly launched Elizabeth Taylor into major stardom. So, in some respects, their positions were a little different.

There aren't many widely publicized stories of deep personal friendship developing between them during this time, and that's actually quite common for young co-stars. They were both focused on their work, learning the ropes, and, like, dealing with the pressures of being child actors. It was a professional environment, and while they surely interacted on set, it wasn't necessarily the kind of bond that made headlines, or anything like that.

Beyond the Cameras

After "National Velvet," their careers, as it happens, took different paths, though both remained highly successful. Elizabeth Taylor went on to become the quintessential Hollywood glamour icon, starring in grand epics and intense dramas. Angela Lansbury, meanwhile, moved between film, stage, and later television, building a reputation as a character actress of immense depth and versatility. Their paths didn't cross professionally again for many years, which, you know, naturally limited opportunities for a close friendship to blossom. They were, in a way, in different orbits.

Later Years and Public Perception

Even though their early collaboration on "National Velvet" was their main shared project, the question of "Did Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor get along?" still comes up. This is probably because they were both such enduring figures in entertainment, and their long careers meant they often attended similar industry events, you know, or were simply part of the same Hollywood fabric. People tend to imagine all famous people in the same circle are close friends, which isn't always the case, obviously.

Respect and Admiration

While there isn't much evidence to suggest a deep, personal friendship between Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor, accounts from both women, and those around them, point to a mutual respect, and that's pretty important. Angela Lansbury, for instance, often spoke warmly of Elizabeth Taylor's talent and beauty, particularly recalling her as a young girl on the set of "National Velvet." She would often describe Taylor as a truly beautiful child with an innate star quality, which, you know, is a lovely thing to say.

Elizabeth Taylor, too, would, like, acknowledge Lansbury's incredible acting abilities. They were both professionals who understood the demands of their craft and the unique pressures of Hollywood stardom. This professional admiration, arguably, formed the basis of their relationship, rather than a close personal bond. It's a different kind of connection, but still meaningful, in a way.

The Mirror Crack'd Connection

Interestingly, their paths did cross again, very briefly, in the 1980 film "The Mirror Crack'd." This Agatha Christie adaptation featured an all-star cast, including Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple and Elizabeth Taylor in a significant supporting role. This reunion, decades after "National Velvet," was, in some respects, more of a professional ensemble gathering than a rekindling of a deep friendship.

During the filming of "The Mirror Crack'd," both women were seasoned veterans, each with decades of experience under their belts. They were, like, professionals working together on a project, and the focus was on delivering their performances. Accounts from the set don't suggest any dramatic conflicts or, conversely, any intense bonding. It was, apparently, a respectful working environment, which is what you'd expect from two such established talents. So, it was a professional collaboration, again, rather than a personal one.

The Verdict: Friends or Colleagues?

So, did Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor get along? The evidence points more towards a relationship built on mutual professional respect and shared experiences within the acting world, rather than a deep, personal friendship. They were colleagues who admired each other's work, which, you know, is a very strong foundation for any professional interaction.

A Professional Bond

They certainly got along in a professional sense. There are no reports of animosity or difficulty working together on either "National Velvet" or "The Mirror Crack'd." Both were known for their professionalism on set, and that, too, is a testament to their character. They understood the demands of filmmaking and, like, what it took to deliver a performance. Their interactions seem to have been cordial, respectful, and focused on the task at hand.

It's important to remember that not all co-stars become best friends, and that's perfectly normal, as a matter of fact. The entertainment industry is a workplace, albeit a glamorous one, and people form different kinds of connections. For Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor, their connection appears to have been one of shared history and mutual admiration for each other's immense talents, which is, you know, quite a lot in itself.

Personalities and Public Lives

Their personal lives, too, were quite different, which might have played a part. Elizabeth Taylor lived a very public, often tumultuous life, with her many marriages and highly publicized romances. Angela Lansbury, on the other hand, maintained a more private and stable personal life, even while achieving massive fame. These differing approaches to life outside of work could mean their paths simply didn't align for a close friendship, which is, you know, fair enough.

Ultimately, while they were both iconic figures who crossed paths in the long history of Hollywood, their relationship seems to have been primarily one of professional colleagues who held each other in high regard. They certainly got along well enough to work together, and their shared history on screen is, like, a lovely part of cinema's story. For more on the lives of classic Hollywood stars, you can learn more about their stories on our site, and perhaps even link to this page for more insights into their unique journeys.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions people often ask about Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor:

Were Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor friends outside of work?

While they worked together on two films, "National Velvet" and "The Mirror Crack'd," there isn't widespread evidence to suggest they had a deep, personal friendship outside of their professional interactions. They maintained a respectful working relationship, which is, you know, pretty common in Hollywood.

What movies did Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor star in together?

Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor appeared together in two films. The first was "National Velvet" in 1944, where they played sisters. Their second shared project was the 1980 Agatha Christie mystery, "The Mirror Crack'd," where Angela Lansbury played Miss Marple and Elizabeth Taylor had a supporting role.

How old were Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor when they filmed National Velvet?

When they filmed "National Velvet" in 1944, Angela Lansbury was 18 years old, and Elizabeth Taylor was 12 years old. This was an early, very significant role for both of them, launching Elizabeth Taylor into major stardom and further establishing Angela Lansbury's rising career.

Conclusion

The question "Did Angela Lansbury and Elizabeth Taylor get along?" really brings up a fascinating look at the connections between Hollywood's biggest names. What we see, more or less, is a relationship rooted in mutual professional respect, born from shared experiences on screen, particularly in their early careers. They were, in a way, two powerful forces in entertainment who admired each other's craft, even if their personal paths diverged. It's a reminder that not every famous pairing leads to a lifelong friendship, but respect and shared history can be just as meaningful.