Glynis Johns, Mary Poppins star & Tony Award Winner, Dies at 100

Glynis Johns, Mary Poppins star & Tony Award Winner, Dies at 100

Glynis Johns, legendary star of stage and screen, has died at the age of 100. Her manager, Mitch Clem, told The Associated Press she died of natural causes at an assisted living home in LA on Thursday. In tribute the actress, Clem said “Today’s a sad day for Hollywood… she is the last of the last of old Hollywood.”

With a career spanning over 80 years, Johns was best known for playing the role of Mrs Banks in the classic 1964 film Mary Poppins, alongside Dick van Dyke, Julie Andrews & David Thomlinson. Johns appeared in more than 60 films after making her debut at age 15 in the 1938 British drama South Riding.

But Glynis Johns was a theatre veteran too – originating the role of Desiree in Stephen Sondheim’s musical – A Little Night Music. She won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for her performance in the musical back in 1973. Sondheim wrote the show’s hit song “Send in the Clowns” to suit her distinctive husky voice. The song became one of Sondheim’s most famous songs, with many artists giving their rendition over the years – including Judi Dench, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand.

In a 1991 revival of A Little Night Music, Johns returned to the show, but this time playing Madame Armfeldt – the mother of her original character, Desiree.

Johns is also an Oscar-nominated actress, scoring a nom for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the 1960 film The Sundowners. Three years later, she landed a Golden Globe nomination for her role in The Chapman Report.

Born to Welsh parents in 1923, in South Africa, Glynis made history when she received a degree to teach dance by age 10. By 12, she won 25 gold medals for dance in England. Arguably her role in Mary Poppins became her most famous role, as Disney’s adaptation of the P.L Travers book series, won a series of Academy Awards. Johns, playing Mrs Banks, memorably performed the solo number “Sister Suffragette”.

Glynis Johns was inducted as a Disney Legend in 1998. Her final film credit was in the 1999 film Superstar.