Renowned British actor Glynis Johns has passed away at the age of 100. Known for her role in Mary Poppins as the Banks children’s suffragette mother, Johns passed away peacefully in an assisted living home on Thursday, according to her manager Mitch Clem.
Born in South Africa, Johns had a nine-decade-long career working in many films and TV shows. She first earned a starring role when she was a teenager in the 1938 romantic drama South Rising. She then earned her first award from the National Board of Review for her performance in 1941’s war drama 49th Parallel.
Eventually, she got her big break in 1960 in The Sundowners and was nominated by the Academy for Best Supporting Actress. After a run in her self-titled mystery show Glynis, Johns gained more recognition for Mrs. Banks in the Disney musical Mary Poppins, where she performed ”Sister Suffragette.“
She later gained more musical roles on Broadway, originating the role of Desiree Armfeldt in 1973’s A Little Night Music. She earned a Tony Award for her role and gained recognition for her distinctive, guttural voice when performing the ballad “Send in the Clowns.”
Even as she reached 100 in October, Johns did not let her age slow her wit down. When asked how she felt about turning 100, she joked that she “looked very good at every age.” Clem noted in his Thursday statement that Johns continued to shine even in her twilight years with ”a wit that could stop you in your tracks powered by a heart that loved deeply and purely.”
Johns’ cause of death has not been clarified yet. She is survived by her grandson Thomas and her three great-grandchildren.
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