Angela Lansbury has died aged 96

Hollywood legend Angela Lansbury, famous for 'Murder, She Wrote' and as the voice of Mrs. Potts in 'Beauty and the Beast', has died.

Angela died Tuesday at her home in L.A., according to a statement from her family. She is said to have died in her sleep at 1:30 a.m.

Though best known for her role as Jessica Fletcher in the iconic TV hit "Murder, She Wrote", Angela was an incredibly accomplished stage star before her massive TV career.

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The British-born actress has won 5 Tony Awards in productions such as 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street', 'Gypsy' and 'Dear World'. She received a 6th Tony for Lifetime Achievement.

"Murder" ran for 12 seasons on CBS, from 1984 to 1996, and was the channel's biggest hit during its run. She earned 12 Emmy nominations for the role.

Angela will also be remembered for playing Mrs. Potts in the 1991 animated film Beauty and the Beast.

She is survived by her 3 children, 3 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and a brother.

JANUARY 2012 TMZ.com