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Glynis Johns

Acting Born Oct 5, 1923 Pretoria, South Africa 24 credits

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.

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Known for

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

as Self

Murder, She Wrote

as Bridget O'Hara

The Mike Douglas Show

as Self - Co-Host
Film

Donnie Darko

as Mrs. Helen Chambers

Golden Globe Awards

as Self - Presenter

Batman

as Lady Penelope Peasoup

Great Performances

as Self

The Merv Griffin Show

as Self

Burke's Law

as Steffi Bernard
Film

Ikiru

as Miss Arlington

Full filmography

  • The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
  • The Love Boat (1977) as Edna Miles
  • Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Bridget O'Hara
  • The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
  • Cheers (1982) as Mrs. Helen Chambers
  • Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
  • Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Winner
  • Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
  • Batman (1966) as Lady Penelope Peasoup
  • Great Performances (1971) as Self
  • The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
  • Burke's Law (1963) as Steffi Bernard
  • Dr. Kildare (1961) as Sister Brigid Marie
  • The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
  • Naked City (1958) as Miss Arlington
  • Studio One (1948) as Lily Snape
  • The Defenders (1961) as Catherine Collins
  • The Oscars (1953) as Self
  • ITV Playhouse (1967) as Lorraine Barrie
  • Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
  • Adventures in Paradise (1959) as Esther Holmes
  • 12 O'Clock High (1964) as Jennifer Heath
  • Your Show of Shows (1950)
  • The Danny Kaye Show (1963) as Self