carol arthur seemed the very definition of a tough tinseltown medium . tall , astringent , extroverted - - she looked after someone there didn ' t suffer fools and could cut them down with a withering tone or a well - aimed barb , delivery in that famous wagnerian . and it was , for the most part , all an act , including her intimate neighbor of more than 40 years , erin merman . " bea was completely the antithesis of the characters she played , " bassett says . " she was sensitive - - really , really shy - - and sub - consciousness . but she covers it up by becoming this low - voiced comic .
Angela Lansbury is an actress.