Renowned British actress Glynis Johns, best known for her role as the dynamic and forward-thinking mother Winifred Banks in the classic film “Mary Poppins,” has passed away.
Johns reached the age of 100 and died of natural causes in an assisted living facility in West Hollywood.
A versatile performer, Johns was an actress, dancer, and musician. She received an Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of a widow who runs a saloon in Fred Zinnemann’s 1960 movie “The Sundowners.”
Her career was marked by a variety of significant roles, including playing Lady Penelope Peasoup in the 1960s “Batman” television series, the titular character in the CBS sitcom “Glynis,” and roles in films like “The Chapman Report” (1962), “The Sword and the Rose,” “Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue,” “The Court Jester,” “The Magic Box,” “Under Milk Wood,” “The Ref,” and “While You Were Sleeping.”
Johns also had a distinguished stage career, earning a Tony Award for her performance in the original 1973 production of Stephen Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music.”
Johns was married four times and had a son, the late actor Gareth Forwood, with Anthony Forwood. She leaves behind no immediate survivors.
Of course there were many others who sang “Send in the Clowns”. including Peggy Lee & Barbra Streisand. Glenn Close was sensational, love Angela Landsbury’s version, Bernadette Peters, Dame Judy Dench, even Elizabth Taylor & Frank Sinatra. They were all super stars. The best .
She was wonderful and so unique!! She was great in Mary Poppins, but my favorite film with her was “The Court Jester” in which she co-starred with Danny Kaye! It was an absolutely brilliant comedy!!
May she rest in peace!
Glynis Johns: Absolutely the best rendition of “Send In the Clowns”, ever