Acclaimed Actress Glynis Johns Dies at 100

January 6, 2024

Glynis Johns, the multi-talented Welsh actress renowned for her six-decade career gracing Hollywood films, Broadway musicals and British cinema, passed away peacefully at age 100 in Los Angeles on January 12th, 2023.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born in South Africa to artist parents in 1923, Glynis embarked on acting during childhood by appearing in juvenile productions, becoming the fourth generation artist in her family. Her father Mervyn was a famed Welsh actor himself.

Rise to Stardom Across Stage and Screens

Glynis first made her mark in comic lead roles in movies like Miranda (1948) before portraying a wider range of characters like the determined spy in Court Jester (1956). Her role as a loquacious Australian innkeeper in The Sundowners (1960) fetched her an Academy Award nomination.

Tony Award Winning Broadway Triumph

Amidst her fourth divorce in 1973 at age 49, Glynis delivered a career-defining performance as Desirée Armfeldt in the Stephen Sondheim musical A Little Night Music, especially the rendition of ‘Send in the Clowns’, winning the Tony Award for Best Actress.

Scene-stealing Film Roles

She enchanted film audiences globally through vivid supporting parts like the suffragette mother Mrs. Banks in Disney classic Mary Poppins (1964) and the grandmother in acclaimed The Age of Innocence (1993).

Spanning Generations Through Her Craft

With incredible longevity, Johns navigated evolving entertainment eras from studio system-era 1930s through 21st century cinema, captivating viewers across demographics through eight decades with her zeal.

Quintessential Passion for Performing

Glynis credited acting itself as the most stimulating experience for her, once stating it engaged the highest form of her innate intelligence when she could wholly immerse in make-believe. This sheer creative joy sparked her sparkling brilliance on stage and celluloid.

Turbulent Personal Life

Johns married and divorced four times during her life – partners being actor Anthony Forwood, producer David Foster, businessman Cecil Henderson and literary agent Elliott Arnold. She lost her only child Gareth Forwood in 2007, leaving behind a grandson and three great-grandkids now.

Lasting Legacy and Influence

The recipient of multiple honors like Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations, Johns became an archetype for gracefully aging actresses. Her lustrous career reflects immense resilience personal blows and professional setbacks only reaffirming her commitment her first love – the profession of acting.

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