Who voiced Mrs. Potts in "Beauty and the Beast"?

From an enchanted rose to dancing dishes, Disney's "Beauty and the Beast" brought magic to life through unforgettable characters. But while the singing teapot Mrs. Potts served up earl grey and wisdom with every cup, many don't know the legendary actress who gave her that warm, maternal voice. So who brought our favorite animated housekeeper to life?

Reveal answer and learn more:

▼

The answer is: Angela Lansbury

Ever wonder what happens when you stick a Broadway legend in a sound booth and ask her to play kitchenware? Pure magic, as it turns out. Angela Lansbury, fresh off another TV murder and nursing a cold that would've sent a lesser actress home, stepped up to the mic in 1991. She had one job: convince us all that the most sensible person in a castle owned by a beast was, of all things, a teapot.

When Lansbury first got the call to voice Mrs. Potts, she almost turned it down. Thank goodness she didn't – we nearly missed out on the most comforting cup of tea in animation history. The "Murder, She Wrote" star brought decades of theatrical experience to the role, but it was her natural warmth that made Mrs. Potts feel like everyone's favorite grandmother.

At 65, Lansbury recorded her parts between solving crimes as Jessica Fletcher, somehow finding time to create one of Disney's most beloved characters. While recording "Beauty and the Beast," the film's signature song, she nailed it in a single take – and probably left the entire studio in tears.

The role added another gem to Lansbury's crown of achievements, which already sparkled with Tony Awards and Emmy nominations. But for generations of kids (and let's be honest, adults too), she'll always be the warmhearted teapot who helped turn a tale as old as time into something fresh and new.

When she passed away in 2022 at age 96, fans worldwide raised their teacups in tribute to the woman who proved that sometimes the most magical performances come in the most unexpected packages.