Glynis Johns British Actress and Singer

Glynis Johns (born October 5, 1923 – died January 4, 2024) was a British actress, dancer, pianist, and singer celebrated for her distinctive husky voice and wide-ranging career across film, stage, and television.

Born in Pretoria, South Africa, to Welsh parents, Johns grew up in a theatrical family and began acting at an early age. She became internationally recognized for her performances in films such as Miranda (1948), The Sundowners (1960), and Disney’s Mary Poppins (1964), where she played Winifred Banks.

Johns also left a lasting mark on the stage. In 1973, she originated the role of Desiree Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s musical A Little Night Music, introducing the classic song “Send in the Clowns,” which won her a Tony Award.

With a career spanning over six decades, she was admired for her versatility, wit, and charm, securing her place as one of Britain’s most beloved performers.

Glynis Johns

Date of Birth: October 5, 1923

Place of Birth: Pretoria, South Africa

Nationality: British

Known for: Mary Poppins, A Little Night Music, Distinctive Voice

Career Highlights

Johns appeared in over 60 films and numerous stage productions. Her role in The Sundowners earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. On television, she also appeared in series such as Batman and Murder, She Wrote.

Personal Life

Johns married four times and had one son, actor Gareth Forwood. She was celebrated not only for her professional achievements but also for her warmth and humor offstage.

Death and Legacy

Glynis Johns passed away on January 4, 2024, at the age of 100. Her career, longevity, and contributions to film and theatre cemented her legacy as a treasured figure in British entertainment history.

Filmography, Stage Work & Discography

Year Title / Work Category Notes
Feature films
1938South RidingFilmFilm debut
1938Murder in the FamilyFilmEarly screen role
1938Prison Without BarsFilmEarly lead
1939On the Night of the FireFilmU.S. retitle
1940Under Your HatFilmComedy part
1940The Briggs FamilyFilmFamily comedy
1940The Thief of BagdadFilmUncredited role
1940The Prime MinisterFilmUncredited role
194149th ParallelFilmNBR acting win
1943The Adventures of TartuFilmU.S. retitle
1944The Halfway HouseFilmEaling drama
1945Perfect StrangersFilmU.S. retitle
1946This Man Is MineFilmPostwar drama
1947FriedaFilmEaling feature
1947An Ideal HusbandFilmWilde adaptation
1948MirandaFilmTitle role
1949Third Time LuckyFilmComedy lead
1949Helter SkelterFilmUncredited role
1949Dear Mr. ProhackFilmBritish comedy
1950State SecretFilmU.S. retitle
1951Flesh and BloodFilmDrama role
1951No Highway in the SkyFilmAviation thriller
1951Appointment with VenusFilmU.S. retitle
1951EncoreFilmPortmanteau film
1952Personal AffairFilmDrama role
1952The Magic BoxFilmBiopic feature
1952The CardFilmComic drama
1954The SeekersFilmAdventure role
1955The Court JesterFilmTechnicolor comedy
1956Loser Takes AllFilmComic lead
1956The Chapman ReportFilmStudio drama
1956A Price Above RubiesFilmUK drama
1957All Mine to GiveFilmFamily drama
1958The Spider’s WebFilmThriller role
1960The SundownersFilmOscar-nominated
1961The Cabinet of CaligariFilmPsych thriller
1963The Sword in the StoneFilmDisney voice
1964Mary PoppinsFilmWinifred Banks
1965Dear BrigitteFilmFamily comedy
1967While the City SleepsFilmUK drama
1967The Happiest MillionaireFilmDisney musical
1969The Comedy ManFilmBritish comedy
1972Under Milk WoodFilmDylan Thomas
1973The Vault of HorrorFilmHorror anthology
1987NukieFilmSci-fi feature
1988Zelly and MeFilmDrama role
1994The RefFilmHoliday comedy
1995While You Were SleepingFilmRom-com role
1999SuperstarFilmComedy cameo
Short subjects
1945The Truce Is SignedShortWartime short
1945Now It Can Be ToldShortWartime short
1949Two of a KindShortShort subject
Television
1952Actors StudioTVEarly TV
1954General Electric TheaterTVAnthology guest
1956Playhouse 90TVAnthology guest
1958OmnibusTVAnthology guest
1962Dr. KildareTVMedical guest
1962The BeachcomberTVSingle episode
1962Saints and SinnersTVGuest role
1963The DuPont Show of the WeekTVDrama guest
1963The Lloyd Bridges ShowTVGuest role
1963Vacation PlayhouseTVTV play
1963GlynisTV13 episodes
1964Burke’s LawTVGuest role
1964The DefendersTVGuest role
196412 O’Clock HighTVGuest role
1967BatmanTV4 episodes
1968ITV PlayhouseTVTV play
1982Little Gloria... Happy at LastTVMiniseries role
1983CheersTVGuest role
1984The Love BoatTVGuest role
1984SpraggueTVTV film
1984The Crime of Ovide PlouffeTVMiniseries role
1985Murder, She WroteTVEpisode guest
1987The CavanaughsTVEpisode guest
1988Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul SchoolTVVoice role
1988–89Coming of AgeTV15 episodes
1994ABC Weekend SpecialsTVTV short
1995ColumboTVEpisode guest
1997Mr. RhodesTVSeries role
1998Midsomer MurdersTVEpisode guest
2004Kingdom HospitalTVMiniseries role
2009Dirty Sexy MoneyTVRecurring role
2010PsychTVEpisode guest
2018Castle RockTVFinal TV role
Stage appearances
1931Judgement DayStageEarly stage
1935Buckie’s BearsStageWest End
1936St HelenaStageOld Vic
1936The Children’s HourStageGate Theatre
1936The Melody That Got LostStageEmbassy Theatre
1937Judgement DayStageRevival run
1937A Kiss for CinderellaStagePhoenix Theatre
1938Quiet WeddingStageWyndham’s
1941Quiet WeekendStageWyndham’s
1943Peter PanStageTitle role
1944I’ll See You AgainStageManchester run
1946Fools Rush InStageFortune Theatre
1950The Way Things GoStagePhoenix Theatre
1952GertieStageBroadway run
1956Major BarbaraStageBroadway role
1963Too True to Be GoodStageBroadway role
1966The King’s MareStageGarrick Theatre
1969A Talent to AmuseStagePhoenix Theatre
1969–70Come As You AreStageNew Theatre
1972The MarquiseStageBristol run
1973A Little Night MusicStageDesirée originator
1974Jove, It’s a Lovely DayStageBroadway musical
1975The KingfisherStageBroadway role
1977A Memory of Two MondaysStageBroadway revival
1978Design for LivingStageBroadway revival
1983Little Gloria... Happy at LastStageSee TV credit
1989–90The CircleStageBroadway revival
1996IndiscretionsStageBroadway role
1998Moon Over BuffaloStageBroadway role
Radio
1948MirandaRadioBBC adaptation
Discography
1950GlynisAlbumEarly vocal LP
1957A Little Bit of GlynisAlbumVocal collection
1964Mary PoppinsSoundtrackDisney cast
1966The King’s MareCast recordingStage cast
1973A Little Night MusicCast recordingOriginal Broadway
1974Jove, It’s a Lovely DayCast recordingBroadway cast
1975The KingfisherCast recordingBroadway cast
1977Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy TalesSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1978The Little MermaidSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1979Beauty and the BeastSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1980RapunzelSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1981CinderellaSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1982Little Gloria... Happy at LastSoundtrackTV soundtrack
1983The Princess and the PeaSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1984Snow White and Rose RedSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1985The Emperor’s New ClothesSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1986The Snow QueenSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1987ThumbelinaSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1988Sleeping BeautySpoken wordCaedmon narration
1990The Wizard of OzSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1991Peter PanSpoken wordCaedmon narration
1994SuperstarSoundtrackFilm soundtrack
2018Castle RockSoundtrackSeries credit

Awards & Distinctions

  • Tony Award — Best Actress in a Musical (A Little Night Music).
  • Drama Desk Award — Outstanding Actress in a Musical (A Little Night Music).
  • Academy Award nomination — Best Supporting Actress (The Sundowners).
  • Laurel Award — Best Female Supporting Performance (Mary Poppins).

References

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