Actress Glynis Johns, 'Mary Poppins' star, dies at 100

NEW YORK (AP) — Tony Award winner and renowned stage and screen actress, Glynis Johns, best known for her role as the mother in "Mary Poppins" and for her remarkable introduction of Stephen Sondheim's emotive hit "Send in the Clowns", has passed away at the age of 100. Johns' manager, Mitch Clem, confirmed that she died of natural causes on Thursday in a Los Angeles assisted living facility. Clem described her passing as a somber day for Hollywood, referring to Johns as the last link to the age of traditional Hollywood. Johns was notoriously meticulous about her craft, being known for her exactness, analytical approach, and forthright opinions. She insisted that any roles she portrayed had to involve multiple layers, and found merely scratching the surface unacceptable. In her own words during a 1990 interview with The Associated Press, Johns explained that she sought to create a realistic portrayal in her roles, requiring her to comprehend it in order to present it authentically. Her highest acclaim came from her role as Desiree Armfeldt in "A Little Night Music", a performance that won her a Tony Award in 1973. Sondheim, recognizing Johns' unique vocal qualities, composed "Send in the Clowns" specifically for her, though Elizabeth Taylor would ultimately replace her in the 1977 film adaptation. Johns, greatly appreciating the composition, called it the most significant gift she had ever received on stage. Following in her footsteps, other artists like Frank Sinatra, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Sarah Vaughan, and Olivia Newton John, have also performed this iconic Sondheim song. The song even found its way into the second season of “Yellowjackets” in 2023, performed by Elijah Wood. Johns, a fourth-generation member of a British theatrical lineage, started her acting career at 14 and was a dancer at 12. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, while her parents were on tour, Johns saw an early breakthrough with the 1948 hit comedy "Miranda" in which she portrayed the titular role of a flirtatious mermaid. Further, her performance in 1960's "The Sundowners" earned her an Academy nomination for best supporting actress. Famous roles include the mother in "Mary Poppins", where she performed the stirring number "Sister Suffragette", and a stint in the 1989 Broadway revival of "The Circle". Following her diverse and illustrious career, Johns did take breaks from acting, prioritizing her personal life several times. She always found her way back to the theater, acknowledging it as a realm where her intellectual abilities were best engaged. Johns led a global life, marrying four times and is survived by the legacy of her son, actor Gareth Forwood, who passed away in 2007.