Glynis Johns, best known for her portrayal as Mary Poppins’ pro-suffragette mother alongside Julie Andrews, has died at age 100 in California according to her manager. She was found unresponsive upon returning from a hospital stay earlier today.
She earned fame with her distinctive, deep voice when she originated Desiree Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music musical in 1973 and won a Tony award as a result.
Glynis Johns was a suffragette
Glynis Johns was an incredibly versatile actress who appeared in several movies over her career. With her distinctive husky voice and bubbly persona, she brought laughter in light comedies such as Miranda and Mad About Men; yet also demonstrated serious roles such as those found in Under Milk Wood.
She became a popular star of Broadway theatre, appearing in such plays as Gertie in 1952 and Major Barbara in 1956; winning a Tony Award for her performance as Desiree Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music; her rendition of “Send in the Clowns” became an instant classic that has since been recorded by Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins and Barbra Streisand among many others.
After appearing in early film roles like State Secret and Glynis, Johns was cast in Mary Poppins opposite Julie Andrews as Winifred Banks – cementing her status as one of cinema’s beloved icons.
She was a mermaid
Glynis Johns was a British actress renowned for both Broadway theatre and Hollywood film work. Born in South Africa while her parents were touring, she began dancing and acting from an early age before making her film debut in 1938 and appearing in numerous films over a decades-long career. In 1973 she earned a Tony Award for playing Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music; Stephen Sondheim specifically composed “Send in the Clowns” to complement her husky voice as Desiree Armfeldt anthem just for her huskiness!
Glynis Johns appeared in movies such as State Secret, The Magic Box and Mad About Men; was a regular on television shows such as The Cavanaughs, General Electric Theatre and had her own short-lived sitcom Glynis; made her last film appearance in 1999 in Molly Shannon’s comedy Superstar and has passed away at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles according to Mitch Clem, her manager.
She was a singer
Glynis Johns passed away peacefully at an assisted living facility in Los Angeles on Thursday at age 100, her manager Mitch Clem confirmed.
Glynis had an accomplished stage and screen career. She first appeared on West End at age eight in Elmer Rice’s Judgment Day and has gone on to appear in more than 40 films since, typically one every year since 1939.
“Sister Suffragette,” made famous by Winifred Banks from Mary Poppins, earned her an Academy Award. On stage, her husky voice earned her roles in 1951’s Gertie and 1973’s A Little Night Music; Desiree Armfeldt from A Little Night Music singing Sondheim’s Send in the Clowns won her a Tony award; subsequent recordings by Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, Sarah Vaughan and Barbra Streisand among others would make the song immortal.
She was an actress
Glynis Johns was an actress known for her versatile roles. Distinguished by her husky voice and lively persona, she became a sought-after choice for stage and film performances alike; moreover, Caedmon Records hired her in the 1970s to narrate several children’s classics on audio tape.
Her most iconic role was as Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, but she also appeared in other films such as Romanian resistance leader Paula Palacek in 1943 British spy film The Adventures of Tartu and supernatural innkeeper Gwyneth from 1944 film The Halfway House.
Her acting career spanned more than 60 years. As a perfectionist in her profession, she held firm to the belief that each role she took must be multi-dimensional. Known for her intelligence and wit on both stage and screen, she became one of Hollywood’s beloved icons, touching millions. She passed away peacefully at age 100 on Thursday, January 4th in Los Angeles.
