‘Mary Poppins’ Star Glynis Johns Dies in Assisted Living Home after Celebrating 100th Birthday

Glynis Johns, renowned for her role as Mrs. Banks in the 1964 film “Mary Poppins,” passed away at 100. Her death occurred on January 4, 2024, of natural causes in an assisted living home in Los Angeles.

Johns had been performing in the showbiz industry for an extremely long time. She started at just a few weeks old when her grandmother brought her up on stage in London. Her career gained momentum as the years passed, and Johns quickly became a shining star in the entertainment industry.

Johns was well known for starring alongside other iconic stars such as Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. She also received recognition in the form of an Oscar nomination and prestigious accolades like a BAFTA and a Tony for her work.

Her longtime manager, Mitch Clem, confirmed her peaceful passing and announced that Johns would be buried next to her father in the UK. The star had had a total of four husbands and one son, Gareth Forwood, and had managed to outlive them all.

Clem shared that Johns had lived in the assisted living home for several years before passing. She is survived by her grandson Thomas Forwood and three great-grandchildren, marking the end of an era in Hollywood.

Three months before her passing, on October 5, 2023, the British star discussed her momentous milestone — her 100th birthday. She was one of the world’s oldest living actresses.

When the interviewer asked Johns what turning 100 years old feels like, she wittily remarked, “It doesn’t make any difference to me. Well, I looked very good for every age.”

A month before Johns turned 100, her family wanted to mark the special day by requesting that the government declare her a Dame. Her grandson, Thomas, asserted, “Everyone in the family is immensely proud of her achievements. It would be fitting on this occasion for the UK government to formally acknowledge her cultural contribution by making her a Dame.”

Regarding Johns’s life, her doting grandson, deemed as her closest relative, confirmed that she enjoyed her retirement. He divulged, “She lives in a retirement home in Beverly Hills and stepped back from public life entirely a decade or so ago and now lives very quietly.”

Thomas also admitted, “She’s still quite robust physically and has something of her old spirit about her – she still has a wonderful sense of humour.” Johns’ family is incredibly proud of her stellar achievements, and many continue to marvel at her illustrious career.