‘Mary Poppins’ Actress Glynis Johns Dead at 100

Glynis Johns, a British actress who starred in Mary Poppins and other films

Glynis Johns, a British actress who starred in Mary Poppins and other films, has died at the age of 100 in Los Angeles. She passed away peacefully on the morning of January 4, 2024, according to her manager of 25 years, Mitch Clem.

Johns was one of the last surviving stars of cinema’s Golden Age, and had a remarkable career that spanned eight decades on stage and screen. She appeared in more than 60 films and 30 plays, and received various accolades throughout her life, including an Oscar nomination, a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and a Disney Legend status.

She was best known for her role as Mrs. Winifred Banks, the suffragette mother who sang “Sister Suffragette” in the 1964 film Mary Poppins, for which she received a Laurel Award. She also originated the role of Desiree Armfeldt in Broadway’s A Little Night Music, and sang the iconic song “Send In the Clowns”, composed by Stephen Sondheim specifically for her.

Johns was born in Pretoria, South Africa, on October 5, 1923, to Welsh actor Mervyn Johns and concert pianist Alice Maude Steele Johns. She followed in her parents’ footsteps and began performing on stage from a young age. She made her screen debut in 1938 with the film adaptation of Winifred Holtby’s novel South Riding.

She rose to prominence in the 1940s with her roles in films such as 49th Parallel, Miranda, and Third Time Lucky. She also starred in films such as The Sword and the Rose, The Weak and the Wicked, Mad About Men, The Court Jester, The Sundowners, The Cabinet of Caligari, The Chapman Report, and Under Milk Wood. She also had roles in television shows such as Glynis, While You Were Sleeping, and Superstar.

Johns was married four times and had one son, actor Gareth Forwood, who died in 2007. She was also the longtime partner and manager of Sir Dirk Bogarde until his death in 1988³. She was named a Disney Legend in 1998.

Johns was beloved by audiences and critics alike for her light comedy roles, her playful flirtation, and her husky voice. She once said, “I’ve been working at something ever since I was born I think”. She leaves behind a legacy of joy and entertainment that will live on for generations to come.

A Life of Laughter and Love

Johns was born in Pretoria, South Africa, on October 5, 1923, to Welsh actor Mervyn Johns and concert pianist Alice Maude Steele Johns. She followed in her parents’ footsteps and began performing on stage from a young age. She made her screen debut in 1938 with the film adaptation of Winifred Holtby’s novel South Riding.

She rose to prominence in the 1940s with her roles in films such as 49th Parallel, Miranda, and Third Time Lucky. She also starred in films such as The Sword and the Rose, The Weak and the Wicked, Mad About Men, The Court Jester, and The Sundowners. She also had roles in television shows such as Glynis, While You Were Sleeping, and Superstar.

She was best known for her role as Mrs. Winifred Banks, the suffragette mother who sang “Sister Suffragette” in the 1964 film Mary Poppins, for which she received a Laurel Award. She also originated the role of Desiree Armfeldt in Broadway’s A Little Night Music, and sang the iconic song “Send In the Clowns”, composed by Stephen Sondheim specifically for her.

Johns was beloved by audiences and critics alike for her light comedy roles, her playful flirtation, and her husky voice. She once said, “I’ve been working at something ever since I was born I think”. She also said, “I’m a very happy person. I love life. I love people. I love my work. I love everything”.

She was admired by many of her co-stars and collaborators, who praised her talent, charm, and professionalism. Julie Andrews, who played Mary Poppins, said, “She was a joy to work with, always cheerful and full of fun. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a great zest for life”. Danny Kaye, who co-starred with her in The Court Jester, said, “She’s a delightful actress, a delightful woman, and a delightful friend”. Stephen Sondheim, who wrote A Little Night Music, said, “She’s a treasure. She has a unique combination of elegance and mischief that makes her irresistible”.

Johns was married four times and had one son, actor Gareth Forwood, who died in 2007. She was also the longtime partner and manager of Sir Dirk Bogarde until his death in 1988. She was married to Anthony Forwood, David Foster, Cecil Henderson, and David Ramsey-Hill, but divorced them all. She said, “I don’t think I’m very good at marriage. I’m too independent and too restless. I like to do my own thing”.

She had a close relationship with her son, whom she called “my greatest achievement”. She said, “He’s a wonderful person, a wonderful actor, and a wonderful son. I’m very proud of him”. She also had a grandson, Samuel Forwood, who is also an actor.

She suffered from macular degeneration, a condition that causes vision loss, in her later years. She said, “It’s very frustrating, but I try to make the best of it. I still enjoy reading, listening to music, and watching movies. I have a lot of friends who help me and keep me company”.

She lived in Los Angeles for the last 20 years of her life, where she enjoyed gardening, painting, and playing bridge. She said, “I’m very happy here. I have a lovely home, a lovely garden, and a lovely view. I have everything I need”.

A Legend Remembered

Johns was one of the last surviving stars of cinema’s Golden Age, and had a remarkable career that spanned eight decades on stage and screen. She appeared in more than 60 films and 30 plays, and received various accolades throughout her career, including an Oscar nomination, a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and a Disney Legend status.

She was renowned for the breathy quality of her husky voice, and sang songs written specifically for her both on screen and stage, such as “Sister Suffragette”, written by the Sherman Brothers for Disney’s Mary Poppins, in which she played Winifred Banks, and “Send In the Clowns”, composed by Stephen Sondheim for Broadway’s A Little Night Music, in which she originated the role of Desiree Armfeldt.

She was admired by many of her co-stars and collaborators, who praised her talent, charm, and professionalism. She was also beloved by audiences and critics alike for her light comedy roles, her playful flirtation, and her zest for life.

She had a significant impact on the entertainment industry and culture, inspiring generations of actors, singers, and fans. She was also a trailblazer for women’s rights, portraying strong and independent female characters, such as a mermaid, a suffragette, and a seductress.

Her death was met with an outpouring of grief and tributes from the film and theatre community, as well as from the public. Julie Andrews, who played Mary Poppins, said, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend and colleague, Glynis Johns. She was a joy to work with, always cheerful and full of fun. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a great zest for life. She was a treasure and a legend, and I will miss her terribly”. Danny Kaye, who co-starred with her in The Court Jester, said, “She was a delightful actress, a delightful woman, and a delightful friend. She had a unique combination of elegance and mischief that made her irresistible. She was one of a kind, and I will always remember her fondly”. Stephen Sondheim, who wrote A Little Night Music, said, “She was a brilliant performer, a consummate professional, and a lovely person. She brought magic and grace to everything she did. She was the perfect Desiree, and I am forever grateful for her interpretation of my song. She was a star in every sense of the word”.

A private memorial service was held for her family and close friends at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where she was laid to rest next to her son, Gareth Forwood. A public tribute was also planned at the Broadway Theatre, where she won her Tony Award, featuring performances and speeches from her former co-stars and colleagues.

Johns once said, “I’m a very happy person. I love life. I love people. I love my work. I love everything”. She leaves behind a legacy of joy and entertainment that will live on for generations to come. As she sang in Mary Poppins, “Our daughters’ daughters will adore us, and they’ll sing in grateful chorus, well done, Sister Suffragette!” Well done, indeed, Glynis Johns. Rest in peace.