Although cast in the lead role in the 2001 musical , she withdrew before it opened due to her husband's deteriorating health.
Who can forget her as Mrs.
Her next film appearance was as Edwina Brown, the older sister of Velvet Brown in 1944 ; the film proved to be a major commercial hit, with Lansbury developing a lifelong friendship with co-star.
She had initially turned down the role, not wishing to be in the shadow of , who had portrayed the character in the original Broadway production, but eventually accepted it; when the show started in May 1973, she earned a standing ovation and rave reviews.
There she acted alongside Frank Sinatra.
For the 8th season, the show's setting moved to New York City, where Jessica had taken a job teaching criminology at Manhattan University.