Glynis Johns

Glynis Johns

1923-10-05 – 2024-01-04 (age 100) Pretoria, South Africa
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Biography

Glynis Johns (October 5, 1923 - January 4, 2024) was a South African-born British actress, dancer, musician and singer. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, while her parents were on tour, she is best known for originating the role of Desiree Armfeldt in A Little Night Music on Broadway, for which she won a Tony Award, and for playing Winifred Banks in Walt Disney's musical motion picture Mary Poppins. In 2020, with the death of Olivia de Havilland, Johns became the oldest living Academy Award-nominee in any acting category.

In both roles, Johns sang songs written specifically for her, including "Send in the Clowns", composed by Stephen Sondheim, and "Sister Suffragette", written by the Sherman Brothers.

Johns was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the 1960 film The Sundowners. She was one of the last surviving stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood and class years of British cinema. She is known for the breathy quality of her husky voice and her upbeat persona.

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Known For

Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins

1964

as Mrs. Banks

While You Were Sleeping
The Thief of Bagdad
The Thief of Bagdad

1940

as Princess's Maid (uncredited)

Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in 80 Days

1956

as Sporting Lady's Companion

The Ref
The Ref

1994

as Rose Chasseur

The Court Jester
The Court Jester

1955

as Maid Jean

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School
Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School

1988

as Ms. Grimwood (voice)

Superstar
Superstar

1999

as Grandma

49th Parallel
49th Parallel

1941

as Anna

The Card
The Card

1952

as Ruth Earp

Six by Sondheim
Six by Sondheim

2013

as Self (archive footage)

The Vault of Horror
The Vault of Horror

1973

as Eleanor Critchit (segment 2 "The Neat Job")

Dear Brigitte
Dear Brigitte

1965

as Vina Leaf

Zelly & Me
Zelly & Me

1988

as Co-Co

No Highway in the Sky
No Highway in the Sky

1951

as Marjorie Corder

The Sundowners
The Sundowners

1960

as Mrs. Firth

State Secret
State Secret

1950

as Lisa Robinson

The Magic Box
The Magic Box

1952

as May Jones

All Mine to Give
All Mine to Give

1957

as Jo Eunson

Shake Hands with the Devil
Shake Hands with the Devil

1959

as Kitty Brady