Glynis Johns, the British actress who played Winifred Banks in the 1964 movie musical “Mary Poppins,” has died at 100. She passed away of natural causes at an assisted living home in Los Angeles, according to her manager, Mitch Clem.
Throughout her memorable career, Johns was a multitalented actress, pianist, dancer, and singer. She earned a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination as Mrs. Firth in “The Sundowners,” released in 1960. Johns also won a Tony for her portrayal of Desiree Armfeldt in the original Broadway production of “A Little Night Music.”
Perhaps one of her most notable roles was in “Mary Poppins” as Mrs Banks, the mother of two children who needed a nanny (played by Julie Andrews) to care for them. In the 1964 musical, Johns sang and performed the song “Sister Suffragette.”
Johns was a perfectionist about her craft and would often take on complex roles. “As far as I’m concerned, I’m not interested in playing the role on only one level,” she told the Associated Press in 1990. “The whole point of first-class acting is to make it a reality. To be real. And I have to make sense of it to be real.”
Johns had a wit that “could stop you in your tracks powered by a heart that loved deeply and purely,” according to her manager, Mitch Clem. He added that today is a sad day for Hollywood as not only do they mourn the passing of Johns, but they also mourn the end of the golden age of Hollywood.
Johns was married and divorced four times to exes David Foster, Cecil Henderson, Anthony Forwood, and Elliott Arnold. Her only son, Gareth Forwood, whom she shared with Anthony, died in October 2007 following a heart attack.
Johns’ light shined very brightly for 100 years, according to her manager, Mitch Clem. She will always be remembered for her incredible talent and contributions to the entertainment industry.
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