"Mary Poppins" star died at the age of 100: why Glynis Jones made history

The American actress Glynis Johns, who played the suffragette Winifred Banks in the movie Mary Poppins, has died at the age of 100. Her acting career spanned more than eight decades, as the star first appeared on the movie screen as a teenager.

The news of the celebrity's death was confirmed by her manager Mitch Clem, Metro writes. "Glynis paved the way with her intelligence, wit, and love of productivity, which has impacted the lives of millions of people," he commented.

She was a star since childhood

Jones was born to Welsh parents on October 5, 1923 in Pretoria, South Africa. Her mother, a pianist, was in the area on tour.

Jones loved dancing from a young age and at the age of 10 even received a diploma that allowed her to teach dance to others. By the time she was 12, she had won 25 gold medals in dance in England, and at the age of 13, she appeared in her first movie.

A living symbol of Disney

At one time, Jones was called a living symbol of Disney, because in the early 1950s, many films of the famous studio were released in England with her participation. Ten years later, in 1964, she returned to Disney to play in Mary Poppins. The hit musical garnered 13 Academy Award nominations, winning five of them.

"Mary Poppins" and Walt Disney

Walt Disney personally chose Jones for the role that became a landmark in the actress's career. The animator was interested in Glynis's performance and her bright personality.

Film critics were delighted with the character of Winifred Banks: they believed that Jones lit up the screen as soon as she appeared in the frame.

Oscar and 80 years of career

In 1960, Jones won an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the movie "The Westerners". In total, she played in more than two dozen theater productions and more than 50 feature films.

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