Glynis Johns, the celebrated actress and Disney Legend best known for her iconic role as Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, passed away on Thursday, January 4, in Los Angeles from natural causes. She was 100 years old. Her manager confirmed the news of the beloved performer’s death, marking the end of a remarkable century-long life filled with captivating performances on screen and stage. For generations of Disney fans and moviegoers alike, Glynis Johns embodied charm, talent, and a spirited presence that lit up every scene she graced.
Walt Disney himself handpicked Glynis Johns for the role of Mrs. Banks in the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, recognizing her unique sparkle and captivating screen presence. It was a perfect match, as film critic Leonard Maltin noted, “She lights up the screen the minute she appears [in Mary Poppins]. She makes every minute count, and her amusing suffragette song is most enjoyable.” Indeed, Glynis Johns’ portrayal of the feminist icon Winifred Banks resonated deeply, making her everyone’s favorite sister suffragette and solidifying her place in Disney history.
Born on October 5, 1923, in Pretoria, South Africa, to Welsh parents, Glynis Johns demonstrated extraordinary talent from a young age. Her early life was marked by an exceptional dedication to dance; by the age of ten, she had already earned a degree to teach dance. Continuing to hone her skills, she won 25 gold medals for dance in England by the age of twelve. Her transition to acting began early as well, with her first film appearance at just 13 years old in South Riding (1938). Glynis Johns’ first significant adult role came in the 1941 film 49th Parallel (released in the US as The Invaders), sharing the screen with legends like Laurence Olivier and Leslie Howard. Remarkably, at 19, she became the youngest actress to take on the lead role in a theatrical production of Peter Pan, showcasing her versatility and range early in her career.
Glynis Johns Disney Legend portrait
Glynis Johns’ association with The Walt Disney Studios deepened in the 1950s as Disney expanded into live-action film production in England. This collaboration led to memorable roles in Disney films such as 1953’s The Sword and the Rose, where she portrayed the spirited Mary Tudor alongside Richard Todd. In the same year, she starred in Rob Roy, the Highland Rogue as Helen Mary MacGregor, the courageous wife of a Scottish freedom fighter, further cementing her image as a dynamic and compelling actress capable of portraying strong female characters. A decade later, her return to Disney for Mary Poppins in 1964 proved to be a career highlight. The film became a cinematic phenomenon, receiving 13 Academy Award nominations and winning five, and Glynis Johns’ performance as Winifred Banks remains an unforgettable part of its legacy.
Beyond her Disney roles, Glynis Johns enjoyed a prolific career across television and stage. She graced television screens in shows like General Electric Theatre, The Cavanaughs, and even had her own series titled Glynis. Her versatility extended to appearances in iconic series such as Batman, Cheers, and Murder She Wrote, where she shared the screen with fellow Disney Legend Angela Lansbury. In 1960, Glynis Johns received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her poignant portrayal of Mrs. Firth in The Sundowners, starring Robert Mitchum, showcasing her dramatic range and critical acclaim beyond comedic roles. Adding to her accolades, she won a Tony Award in 1973 for her captivating performance as Desiree Armfeldt in the original Broadway cast of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music. Stephen Sondheim himself lauded Glynis Johns’ rendition of “Send in the Clowns” as his personal favorite, a testament to her exceptional talent and emotional depth as a performer.
Glynis Johns in A Little Night Music
Throughout her illustrious career, Glynis Johns amassed an impressive body of work, including over fifty feature films and more than two dozen theatrical productions. Her filmography includes diverse roles in productions such as Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband (1947) and Dear Brigitte (1965) with James Stewart. She also ventured into children’s television, appearing in an anthology version of The Secret Garden. Later in her career, Glynis Johns returned to The Walt Disney Studios in 1994 for the Touchstone comedy The Ref and in 1995 for the blockbuster hit While You Were Sleeping starring Sandra Bullock, proving her enduring appeal across genres and generations. Her contributions were further celebrated in documentaries like Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: The Making of ‘Mary Poppins’ (2004) and Six by Sondheim (2013), ensuring her legacy would continue to inspire and entertain. Glynis Johns was officially inducted as a Disney Legend in 1998, an honor that solidified her lasting impact on the world of Disney and entertainment. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her remarkable performances and vibrant spirit will continue to enchant audiences for years to come, ensuring Glynis Johns remains a true legend of stage and screen.
