Glynis Johns, Disney Legend and ‘Mary Poppins’ Actress, Has Passed Away at 100

Disney legend and beloved actress Glynis Johns passed away at the age of 100.

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Glynis Johns was most known for her role as Mrs. Winifred Banks in Disney’s Mary Poppins film, though the actress starred in several other movies and television series, including her own series, Glynis.

ABC News confirmed via Glynis Johns’s publicist that the actress died Thursday, January 4th, 2024, from natural causes. Johns was born on October 5th, 1923, in Pretoria, South Africa. Her D23 biography states that Glynis Johns made history after receiving a degree to teach dance at age 10. Her first adult role came in a film titled 49th Parallel. By 19, Johns was the youngest actress to play a lead character in the theatrical production of Peter Pan. The actress went on to star in films such as The Promoter, The Sword, General Electric Theatre, and, most notably, Mary Poppins.

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Johns was named a Disney legend in 1998. Film critic Leonard Maltin pointed out in his book The Disney Films, “She lights up the screen the minute she appears [in Mary Poppins].”

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In 1960, Johns won an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mrs. Firth in The Sundowners. The actress also received a Tony Award in 1973 for her role as Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music.