Glynis Johns reached Hollywood stardom in the decades of the Golden Age of films before captivating hearts in the immortal Mary Poppins – The Sun

Glynis Johns made her name in Hollywood in the Golden Age of the film industry – decades before she captured hearts in the hit Mary Poppins.

Fans remember Jones’ long career after her death at the age of 100.

Jones was born in South Africa in 1923, the daughter of pianist Alice Steele and actor Mervyn Jones.

Jones began her career in England, appearing in her first film at the age of 13 and landing the lead role in a stage production of Peter Pan at the age of 19.

But she actually began her acting career as a child, when her grandmother took her to the theater in London when she was just a few weeks old.

In 1944, Jones appeared alongside her father in The Halfway House.

The duo went on to appear in two more films together: The Magic Box in 1951 and then her Oscar-nominated role in The Sundowners.

Early in her film career, Jones appeared in three films as a flirtatious mermaid: Miranda (1948), Helter Skelter (1949), and Mad Men (1954).

Jones was recruited by Walt Disney himself to play Mrs. Banks in Mary Poppins, where she sang the song Sister Suffragette.

Before playing Mrs. Banks, Jones appeared in two other 1953 Disney films: The Sword and the Rose and Rob Roy: The Highland Rogue.

Jones received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her work in the 1960 film The Sundowners.

In addition to her film work, Jones won the 1973 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for originating the role of Desiree Armfeldt in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music.

Her last two films were While You Were Sleeping and Superstar.

Jones made her Broadway debut in 1952, playing the title role in Gertie.

She continued to appear in several other major productions throughout her career, including a revival of The Circle in 1989 opposite Rex Harrison.

Johns has also appeared in numerous television shows, including the final season of Batman on ABC and the CBS sitcom Coming of Age.

She even had her own self-titled CBS sitcom in 1963.

In 1998, Jones was named a Disney Legend and was the oldest living legend until her death.

Jones was married four times and had one son, the late actor Gareth Forwood.