Quick Facts
Born:
1923-10-05
Birthplace:
Pretoria, South Africa
Credits:
106 Total Roles
Glynis Johns
Acting
The MovieWise Take
Refining cinematic analysis...
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.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Glynis Johns, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
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.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Glynis Johns, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Mary Poppins
Mrs. Banks
While You Were Sleeping
Elsie
Cheers
Mrs. Helen Chambers
Batman
Lady Penelope Peasoup
Around the World in 80 Days
Sporting Lady's Companion
Murder, She Wrote
Bridget O'Hara
The Ref
Rose Chasseur
Superstar
Grandma
Full Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Six by Sondheim MOVIE | Self (archive footage) |
| 2009 | Hollywood Singing & Dancing: A Musical History - 1960's MOVIE | (archive footage) |
| 2004 | Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious: The Making of 'Mary Poppins' MOVIE | Self |
| 1999 | Superstar MOVIE | Grandma |
| 1995 | While You Were Sleeping MOVIE | Elsie |
| 1994 | The Secret Garden MOVIE | Darjeeling (voice) |
| 1994 | The Ref MOVIE | Rose Chasseur |
| 1993 | Korda: I Don't Grow on Trees: Part One MOVIE | Self - Interviewee |
| 1988 | Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School MOVIE | Ms. Grimwood (voice) |
| 1988 | Zelly & Me MOVIE | Co-Co |