Legendary British actress and Mary Poppins star Glynis Johns takes her final bow at 100

The world of entertainment is mourning the loss of a true icon after veteran British actress Glynis Johns, renowned for her captivating performances across film, stage, and television, passed away at the age of 100.

According to her manager, Mitch Clem, Johns died of natural causes on Thursday, January 4 at an assisted living facility in the Los Angeles area.

Born October 5, 1923, to a showbusiness family, Johns naturally gravitated toward acting from a young age.

With a career spanning over six decades, Johns became a revered and versatile veteran of both film and stage. Her ability to embody diverse roles showcased her remarkable talent, leaving a lasting mark on the entertainment industry.

In the 1948 film Miranda, Johns enchanted audiences as a flirtatious mermaid, a role she reprised in the 1954 sequel, Mad About Men. Her fearlessness in donning the mermaid outfit revealed her commitment to her craft and her willingness to explore unconventional roles.

However, it was her unforgettable portrayal of Winifred Banks in the timeless classic Mary Poppins that secured Johns’s place in the hearts of millions. As the distracted suffragette mother who juggles her cause with the care of her two children, Johns brought a depth and charm to the character that remains unmatched.

Her cinematic journey continued with an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the 1960 film The Sundowners, where she shared the screen with Robert Mitchum, Deborah Kerr, and Peter Ustinov. This marked just one of her numerous achievements in a movie career that spanned over 60 years.

Transitioning seamlessly between film and stage, Johns claimed a Tony Award in 1973 for her role in the Stephen Sondheim musical A Little Night Music. Sondheim’s poignant song Send in the Clowns was penned specifically for Johns, a testament to her exceptional talent and emotional depth.

Television audiences also had the pleasure of witnessing Johns’s prowess, from her starring role in the short-lived US sitcom Glynis in 1963 to her unforgettable turn as the villainous Lady Penelope Peasoup in the iconic Batman series of the 1960s.

Johns’ last on-screen appearance was in the 1999 film Superstar, a testament to her enduring passion for the craft.

As news of her passing broke, the entertainment world mourned the loss of a true luminary.

Very sad to hear of the death of the wonderful Welsh actress and singer, Glynis Johns (1923-2024) at the age of 100. She was one of the last surviving major stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood. #Sondheim wrote, ‘Send in the Clowns’ for Johns’ unique voice. RIP pic.twitter.com/ah5Rhh5xpK

— Prof. Paul Mealor LVO CStJ (@PaulMealor) January 4, 2024

Tony Winner Glynis Johns passed away at age 100. She is remembered for so many roles, including Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music for which she won her Tony. She will be missed. pic.twitter.com/AgUcsfOUGF

— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) January 4, 2024

🎶 Our daughters’ daughters will adore us, and they’ll sing in grateful chorus, “Well done, Sister Suffragette!” 🎶

RIP #GlynisJohns … Mary Poppins is such a monumental part of my childhood. She was glorious. #FilmTwitter pic.twitter.com/msRFORyTDP

— Mary Muñoz (@MissMaimePeas) January 4, 2024

RIP Glynis Johns, 1923-2024 pic.twitter.com/4H9pp34A3z

— Old Hollywood (@TheOldHollywood) January 4, 2024

Glynis Johns is nearly the best bit of Mary Poppins.

Her appearance as Diane’s mother in Cheers is extraordinary

Her performance of Send in the Clowns was beautiful.

I’m a bit sad. pic.twitter.com/tOe3hTi7Y5

— Alexander J Call (@AlexJCall) January 4, 2024

-with Reuters.