Glynis Johns, Mary Poppins Actor, Dead At 100
"Mary Poppins" actor Glynis Johns has died at the age of 100, per Variety. The actor died in an assisted living home in Los Angeles on January 4, 2023; her cause of death is yet to be revealed. Her manager, Mitch Clems, confirmed the news, sharing, "Glynis powered her way through life with intelligence, wit, and a love for performance, affecting millions of lives ... Her light shined very brightly for 100 years. She had a wit that could stop you in your tracks powered by a heart that loved deeply and purely. Today is a somber day for Hollywood. Not only do we mourn the passing of our dear Glynis, but we mourn the end of the golden age of Hollywood."
Besides her role as Winifred Banks in "Mary Poppins," Johns was also widely known for her role as Desiree Armfeldt in the Broadway show "A Little Night Music," per Variety. Johns even won a Tony for the role, in which she famously sang the Stephen Sondheim tune "Send in the Clowns." Her career spanned decades across all mediums of entertainment, and she will forever be remembered for her incredible talent.
Glynis Johns had been acting for years
Sure, "Mary Poppins" and "A Little Night Music" were highlights in Glynis Johns decades-long career, but the actor had many incredible moments in her acting career as she got her start at an early age.
Reflecting on her tremendous career with ABC7, Johns shared, "I've been working at something ever since I was born — I think." While her career may not have begun straight out of the womb, it started not long after. In 1935, she began performing onstage as a dancer before landing her first gig in a production of "The Children's Hour" in 1936 at just 13 years old, per BFI. From there, Johns' career skyrocketed. Through the 40s and 50s, there didn't seem to be a production or film that didn't have Johns in it. Her last role before retiring was in 1999, when she starred as a grandma in the film "Superstar."
Going into retirement, Johns' life slowed down, but in 2023, she reflected on turning 100 and her incredible career along with that. Still with her witty humor intact, Johns told ABC7, "It [turning 100] doesn't feel any different to me. I looked very good for every age." Johns' humor and acting roles have made many people smile throughout the years, and will only continue to make people smile even years after her passing.