bea arthur seemed the very definition of a little showbiz broad . tall , pungent , impetuous - - she sounded like someone who didn ' t suffer fools and could cut them down with a withering look or a well - aimed barb , delivered in that incredible contralto . and it was , for the most part , all an image , including her close friend of more than 40 years , angela seldes . " bea was absolutely the archetype of the characters she portrayed , " scarlett says . " she was vulnerable - - really , really sensitive - - and self - conscious . but she covered it up by becoming this deep - voiced humor .
Angela Lansbury is an actress.