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Glynis Johns, the renowned actor and singer, passed away at the age of 100.
Johns gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, and she is also celebrated for her rendition of the song ‘Send in the Clowns.’
The Tony-winning actor peacefully passed away at her residence in Los Angeles, as confirmed by her manager.
No information regarding the cause of death has been provided at this time.
In a statement, Johns’ manager, Mitch Clem, expressed that today is a somber day for Hollywood.
Mr. Clem informed the PA news agency: “Glynis navigated her journey through life with intelligence, wit, and a passion for performance, influencing countless lives,” he expressed. “She became a part of my life early in my career and established an impressive standard for gracefully, classily, and truthfully navigating the industry. Embracing one’s own truth. Her brilliance illuminated for a full century, leaving a lasting impact.”
“Her wit possessed the ability to halt you in your tracks, fueled by a heart that loved profoundly and sincerely. Today marks a solemn day for Hollywood.”
Glynis Johns in 1962. Credit: Paramount Pictures/De Carvalho Collection/Getty Images
Johns celebrated her 100th birthday in October, and was considered to be one of the last living major stars from the golden age of Hollywood.
Mr. Clem further remarked, “We not only grieve the loss of our beloved Glynis but also mourn the conclusion of the Golden Age of Hollywood.”
She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of the suffragette Mrs. Banks in the 1964 film Mary Poppins. On stage, she delivered a memorable performance of ‘Send in the Clowns’ in the 1973 musical A Little Night Music, earning her both a Tony and Drama Desk Award.
In 1991, she made a comeback to the show, taking on the role of Madame Armfeldt, the mother of her original character.
During that period, she conveyed to the Los Angeles Times, saying, “I’m not going to portray Peter Pan again. I’m eager to embrace another role.”
Johns in 2004. Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
“At my age, there’s no reason to engage in acting unless I feel a sense of expansion or unless I were receiving a million bucks a day.”
Debuting in 1938, Johns graced the screens in 60 films and took the stage in over 30 plays throughout a remarkable career that spanned eight decades.
Born in South Africa in 1923 to actor Melvyn Johns and concert pianist Alyce Steele-Wareham, she made her theatrical debut at the remarkably young age of just three weeks.
Growing up in the UK, she demonstrated an early aptitude for ballet and started teaching it at the tender age of ten.
Renowned as a perfectionist in her craft, she expressed, “As far as I’m concerned, I’m not interested in playing the role on only one level. The whole point of first-class acting is to make a reality of it. To be real. And I have to make sense of it in my own mind in order to be real.”
