Glynis Johns was best known for her role as suffragette mother Winifred Banks in the Mary Poppins. Photo: WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS
By Andre Rhoden-Paul of BBC
Glynis Johns, known best for her role as suffragette mother Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins, has died at the age of 100.
The British actress, whose career spanned more than sixty years, died in Los Angeles on Thursday, her manager confirmed.
She appeared in dozens of films and was also an accomplished theatre performer.
Her manager Mitch Clem said in a statement her death was a "sombre day for Hollywood".
Johns starred opposite Dame Julie Andrews in the classic 1964 Disney musical Mary Poppins.
Her manager Mr Clem said her "light shined very brightly for 100 years".
Glynis Johns in The Vault of Terror (1973) Photo: AMICUS PRODUCTIONS - METROMEDIA
"Glynis powered her way through life with intelligence, wit, and a love for performance, affecting millions of lives," he said paying tribute.
"Today is a sombre day for Hollywood. Not only do we mourn the passing of our dear Glynis, but we mourn the end of the golden age of Hollywood."
She also won a Tony Award in 1973 for playing Desiree Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musical A Little Night Music, in which she sang Send In The Clowns.
Sondheim wrote the song especially for Johns to sing.
"I always said that Send In The Clowns was the best gift I was ever given," she said.
Johns was nominated for an Academy Awards for best supporting actress for her role in 1960 film The Sundowners.
She also made frequent TV appearances and starred in her own sitcom Glynis on US television in 1963.
Her last acting role was in 1999 film Superstar starring Will Ferrell.
Born into a showbusiness family, Johns was born on 5 October 1923 in South Africa while her Welsh parents were performing there.
- This story was originally published by the BBC.
