Glynis Johns was the daughter of actor
Mervyn Johns. Best known for her light comedy roles and often playful flirtation, Glynis was born in South Africa while her parents were on tour there (her mother was a concert pianist) but was always proud of her Welsh roots and took delight in playing the female lead (opposite
Richard Burton) in the classic
Under Milk Wood (1971). She was probably best known for her role as the suffragette mother in
Mary Poppins (1964) although she is probably best loved for her fishy roles in
Miranda (1948) and
Mad About Men (1954). She had earlier showed she could take on the serious roles as well as in
Frieda (1947). Most recently seen (at the time of writing) in
Superstar (1999). Johns died in 2024, aged 100, having never received the damehood she had richly deserved for decades. Predeceased by her only son, she was survived by a grandson,Thomas Forwood, and three great-grandchildren.