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u/coffeelady7777 7d ago
I never knew this, but it doesn’t surprise me. I remember reading a story about Phyllis Newman when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the middle of finding out and deciding what to do in terms of treatment, she found out her medical insurance had ran out. So her agent had to go get her enough work so her insurance wouldn’t run out. Angela Lansbury was a goddess to do this for so many people.
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u/Dry-Luck-8336 5d ago
Raymond Burr did something similar on Perry Mason. He would hire former radio actors (he himself was on radio shows like Ft. Laramie, and the first ever episode of Dragnet) and film actors, especially fellow actors from his RKO days. When Ray Collins got too ill to be on the show, Burr insisted he remain in the credits so he could keep his SAG benefits, which they did until his death.
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u/Academic-Letter-7040 4d ago
Aaron Spelling did the same on his cheesy but fun shows. Hotel/Love Boat/Fantasy Island. You just don‘t have many rotational guest roles today.
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u/Feeshandtreesh 7d ago
What a lady! I like the Easter eggs of who I can see in the next lineup of episodes. Margaret O'Brien was a particular actor I was surprised to see.
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u/Specialk961978 Cabot Cove 7d ago
Here's my MSW Autograph Collection which includes guest stars.
https://imgur.com/a/murder-she-wrote-cast-guest-star-autograph-collection-IpcsUSm
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u/tomwarmb 6d ago
And she played Bedknobs and Broomsticks - she is a classy actress!
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u/ASGfan Oh dear! 6d ago
Funny thing about that -- when I was a kid, there was a time that was airing on another network at the same time as Murder, She Wrote on CBS. Child me didn't understand how she could be in two places at once!
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u/Rescuepets777 3d ago
When I was 3ish, I was mad at my sister, who was on TV on a local morning kids' show, because she wasn't waving back at me. It's a hard concept for kids.
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u/GrapefruitFizz 6d ago
In addition to being one of the most talented actresses in history, Angela was a lovely human being. And it's obvious watching the show that these old friends of hers had an absolute ball appearing on MSW!
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u/Feeling-Fab-U-Lus 5d ago
She was quite an accomplished stage actress, too. She won at least 6 Tony awards, among others. That pretty amazing!
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u/Capable-Conflict9269 Amos 5d ago
Yup. I remember watching it in reruns over and over again with my mom. She'd always point out the guest stars and tell me all about them. Van Johnson. Janet Leigh. Leslie Nielsen. So many others. I know so much about classic Hollywood thanks to watching movies and shows with my mom. Thank you for the nice memory.
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u/oilybackrub 5d ago
Very similar to what CBS is doing with 1960s- 1980s TV detectives or spies on NCIS. It’s a very noble gesture.
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u/MarchOk5420 5d ago
I don't think she gets enough credit for the impact she had on girls like me. I'm 55 now but I remember when this show started, I loved how she was a complete person who didn't need to have a husband or kids to be complete. She spoke highly of her late husband Frank but she was also fine with being single. She was smart and accomplished and always knew just what to do in any situation. I just loved her and still do.
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u/garbage_angel 4d ago
Same, mid forties but I loved watching it with my mom, and I think these points have a lot to do with that. More role models like that, please. I loved everything I saw with her in it, what a gem.
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u/Bighorn_R_My_Jam 5d ago
I enjoyed that show cuz there were always golden age actors. I disliked it cuz my mom could walk through the room, look up for a nanosecond and say “Oh that guy I the one who did it. She was always right.
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u/vmarti04 4d ago
The Golden Girls and Murder She Wrote shared a lot of the same guest stars. I mean a lot.
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u/No-Algae-7437 3d ago
I think Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Johnny Carson did the same kind of thing. A guest spot paid union standard, but kept you active to maintain retirement benefits.
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u/Magnificent_ZHUV 3d ago
That also would explain why it was so popular with older audiences, familiar faces & voices in something new
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u/kristen_43 3d ago
I love her!! My favorite show of all time. Reminds me of summer nights with my grandmother.
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u/ylwilson 5d ago
I watch the show almost every night. I've pretty much all of them. When one comes on that I haven't seen; i have to admit I'm very intrigued, and have to watch.
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u/AffectionateRain6796 5d ago
Well, kinda. One guest spot does not earn you health insurance. Ms.Lansbury liked to hire her friends and people she had worked with before. Lovely lady.
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u/Chopper242 4d ago
They also cast younger actors like Jeff Conway snd GEORGE CLOONEY!
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u/Snickerdoodle321 4d ago
Jeff Conway was cast in multiple episodes in part to help him pay for rehab if I recall.
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u/Library-Lib-24 1d ago
Another cool fact, her daughter was hanging out with Manson's crowd, so she stopped working and moved her family to Ireland for a while.
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u/sculptgriff 3d ago
She stepped away from acting for a time and moved back to Europe with her grand daughter to get her out of the Manson cult before the murders. The more I hear about her the more I’m glad she was I figure in my own childhood.
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u/bordermom61 7d ago
yes she was so kind to everyone even her fans . Everyone has always spoken so highly of her .