“Mary Poppins”, Batman, AND Broadway — Meet the Disney Legend That Did It ALL

Glynis Johns lived a full life and career as a film, television, AND Broadway star.

It’s always a sad day when we lose Disney actors and performers we’ve grown to know and love. The news of Glynis’s passing stunned the entertainment community as we mourn her departure however, there’s a lot more to Glynis than just staring in “Mary Poppins”.

Glynis Johns was born on October 5th, 1923, in Pretoria, South Africa, and knew from an early age she was destined to perform. By the time she was 15, she made her first screen debut thanks to director Victor Saville in “South Riding,” which is a British drama film.

After this role, Johns knew she wanted more. She set out for a busy career staring in films like “49th Parallel,” and “Vacation from Marriage”  while also trying her hand at smaller roles in television series like, “The Frank Sinatra Show,” and “Naked City.” This in turn eventually landed her a staring role in her namesake television show, “Glynis,” a show where she played a mystery writer.

This might not have been the only recognizable place you’ve seen Glynis Johns, though. She also made appearances on the small screen earning roles on television shows, including “Cheers,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “The Love Boat,” and in the 1960s “Batman” series as villainess Lady Penelope Peasoup.

Her first Disney debut was in the 1953 Disney film, “The Sword and the Rose”, as Princess Mary Tudor.

She starred in the 1964 Academy Award-winning Disney film “Mary Poppins” as Mrs. Winifred Banks alongside incredible actors like Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Her full filmography however lists over 60 films, including popular titles such as, “While You Were Sleeping” and “The Sundowners,” which went on to earn her an Oscar nomination.

Following “Mary Poppins,” Johns set her sights on the Broadway stage. Glynis went on to star in the Stephen Sondheim musical “A Little Night Music” as Desiree Armfeldt, performing the hit song “Send In the Clowns” in that musical. This performance earned her a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

“I got applause for that,” Johns said in an interview with KABC celebrating her 100th birthday. “I loved doing it. I felt it.”

In the over 80 years of Johns’s working career spanning the stage and screen, she won several awards. In addition to the Tony Award Glynis received for her performance on Broadway, she also earned esteemed praise and a Drama Desk Award, a Laurence Olivier Award, and several nominations for a Golden Globe.

It’s always a somber feeling when we lose a Disney legend like Glynis, but having a chance to enjoy her films sure helps lessen the heartache.