Glynis Johns
Glynis Johns. (1923-2024) [1]. South African-born, British actress.
Contents
Biography
Youth
The daughter of Welsh/British actor Mervyn Johns, she was born on 5 October 1923 in Pretoria while her father was touring South Africa.
Training
Career
She was nominated for an Academy Award for best supporting actress for her role in 1960 film The Sundowners. She also made frequent TV appearances, including in Batman, and starred in her own sitcom Glynis on US television in 1963. Johns starred opposite Julie Andrews in the classic 1964 Disney musical Mary Poppins, which went on to win five Oscars. She 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". Her last acting roles were in the 1995 film While You Were Sleeping, featuring Sandra Bullock, and the 1999 film Superstar starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
Brought out to star in Taubie Kushlick’s production of Forty Carats at the Alexander Theatre in 1971. It also starred Gordon Mulholland, Fiona Fraser and James Leith.
Awards, etc
Sources
Tucker, 1997. pp 273-274.
'Mary Poppins actress Glynis Johns dies aged 100', BBC News, 5 January 2024
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