- Actress Glynis Johns has passed away at 100
- She was best known for 'Mary Poppins'
- Here is a quick look at her life and times
Glynis Johns, the British actress who charmed audiences as the trailblazing "Mrs. Banks" in Disney's 'Mary Poppins,' has taken her final bow at the grand age of 100. Known for her sparkling wit and indomitable spirit, Johns passed away "peacefully" in her Los Angeles assisted living home, leaving behind a legacy that spans nearly nine decades on stage and screen.
Glynis led an enviable life
In an eight-decade career spanning the stage and screen, Johns was also the recipient of a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award and received nominations for a Golden Globe and a Laurence Olivier Award.
Born in South Africa and raised in the UK, Johns (100, actress) made her cinematic debut as a teenager in the 1938 romantic drama 'South Riding.'
She then captivated audiences through the 1940s, earning accolades for her performance in '49th Parallel' and setting the stage for a stellar career. Her role in 'The Sundowners' alongside Deborah Kerr and Robert Mitchum garnered an Oscar nod, but it was her portrayal of the vivacious "Mrs. Banks" that cemented her place in Hollywood history.
The actress also appeared in several television shows, including 'Cheers,' 'Murder, She Wrote,' 'The Love Boat,' and in the 1960s 'Batman' series as villainess "Lady Penelope Peasoup." There's no doubt Glynis had a great flare for the dramatic and would bring it to all of her roles!
Johns wasn't just a silver screen siren; she dazzled on Broadway, too, winning a Tony for her role in 'A Little Night Music.' Her rendition of "Send In the Clowns" is still hailed as iconic.
She was also a trendsetter. Because, the song was written to suit her distinctive husky voice, but she lost the part in the 1977 film version to Elizabeth Taylor.
"I’ve had other songs written for me, but nothing like that," Johns told 'The Associated Press' in 1990. "It’s the greatest gift I’ve ever been given in the theater."
"Send in the Clowns" would become one of Sondheim's most famous songs and was later performed by Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughan and Olivia Newton-John.
In 2023, Elijah Wood sang "Send in the Clowns" during season 2 of 'Yellowjackets.'
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Goodbye Les
Another legend lost
The star's longtime manager, Mitch Clem, praised her life's journey, saying, "Glynis powered her way through life with intelligence, wit, and a love for performance, affecting millions of lives." Her light may have dimmed, but her legacy will continue to inspire.
As we bid farewell to the incomparable Glynis Johns, we remember her not just for her roles on screen and stage but for the laughter and joy she brought to her fans. She was a beacon of grace, class, and truth in an industry that will forever cherish her memory.
