THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (2024)

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Jillian Selzer

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THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (1)

  • The classic Disney film "Mary Poppins" (1964) is celebrating its 59th anniversary.
  • Acting legends Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke both went on to illustrious careers.
  • A few members of the original cast made cameo appearances in the 2018 sequel.

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Julie Andrews became a household name after starring in "Mary Poppins."

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (2)

Mary Poppins was the role that launched Julie Andrews' film career — and led to her first Oscar nomination and win.

Before taking on the role in her late 20s, Andrews only had a few TV-movie credits in her filmography.

But she was already well known in the theatre world for originating the roles of Eliza Doolittle in "My Fair Lady" (1956) and Guenevere in "Camelot" (1960).

Andrews is still an iconic actress.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (3)

One year after "Mary Poppins," Andrews played another iconic leading role in "The Sound of Music" (1965).

The actress continued to perform consistently until 2010, appearing in films like "Star!" (1968), "Victor/Victoria" (1982), "A Fine Romance" (1992), and "The Princess Diaries" series.

She's also had a successful voice-acting career, with credits in the "Shrek" series, "Enchanted" (2007), and the "Despicable Me" series.

Following the death of her husband at the end of 2010, Andrews took a break from acting before reentered the Hollywood scene in 2017 for the Netflix series "Julie's Greenroom."

More recently, she voiced a role in "Aquaman" (2018), narrated Netflix's "Bridgerton" and "Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story," and worked on "Minions: The Rise of Gru" (2022).

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Dick Van Dyke was in the midst of his sitcom stardom when he was cast as Bert.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (4)

Dick Van Dyke was arguably the film's most famous cast member when he took on the roles of Bert and Mr. Dawes Sr.

At just 36 years old, he was the star of his own CBS sitcom, "The Dick Van Dyke Show," and he was nominated for his first Primetime Emmy a year before "Mary Poppins" was released.

Like Andrews, Van Dyke also had a successful career on the stage before starring in the movie. Most notably, he originated the role of Albert Peterson in "Bye Bye Birdie" (1960) on Broadway.

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Van Dyke has continued to have an incredibly illustrious career.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (5)

Van Dyke is still active in Hollywood at 94 years old.

After playing Bert, the actor continued his TV career on CBS with "The Dick Van Dyke Show," "The New Dick Van Dyke Show," "The Carol Burnett Show," "The Van Dyke Show," and "Diagnosis Murder."

On Broadway, Van Dyke originated the role of Harold Hill in "A Music Man" (1980).

The actor also went on to appear in films like "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" (1968), "Dick Tracy" (1990), and the "Night at the Museum" series.

In 2018, he surprised fans with a cameo in "Mary Poppins Returns" as Mr. Dawes Jr.

Most recently, Van Dyke appeared on a few episodes of Jim Carrey's Showtime series "Kidding."

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David Tomlinson had been acting for over 20 years before taking on the role of Mr. Banks.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (6)

David Tomlinson had already made a name for himself in the Hollywood community — with nearly 50 film and TV credits — before taking on the role of Mr. Banks.

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Tomlinson continued his acting career until retiring in 1980, and he died in 2000 at the age of 83.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (7)

Shortly after "Mary Poppins," Tomlinson went on to star in "The Love Bug" (1968) and "Bedknobs and Broomsticks" (1971).

By the time the actor retired around 1980, he had been in the business for four decades. He died in 2000 at the age of 83 after having a stroke.

Tomlinson's son, James, told the BBC, "He was always an actor and that was his passion. Although he chose to give it up in 1979 and enjoyed spending time with his family, he stayed in touch with the actors of today."

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Glynis Johns was at the height of her career when she played Mrs. Banks.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (8)

Film and stage actress Glynis Johns had several credits under her belt by the time "Mary Poppins" came around.

She had been acting for nearly 30 years at that point and had recently been nominated for a Golden Globe for her lead role in "The Chapman Report" (1962).

She'd also started a successful career on the stage, originating the titular roles in "Gertie" (1952) and "Major Barbara" (1956), among other parts.

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Johns continued her successful acting career until she retired in 1999.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (9)

After "Mary Poppins," Johns continued to appear in films and on TV. She also returned to Broadway in "A Little Night Music" (1973) and "The Circle" (1989).

Before retiring, the actress rounded out her career in 1999 by playing Grandma in the Molly Shannon-led romantic comedy, "Superstar."

At that point, she'd been acting for over 60 years and had just turned 76 three days before the movie's premiere.

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Matthew Garber's second acting credit was Michael Banks.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (10)

At just 7 years old, Matthew Garber played the mischievous Michael Banks.

Garber and Karen Dotrice, who played Jane Banks, had previously worked together on the Disney film "The Three Lives of Thomasina" (1963).

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Garber had one more film credit after "Mary Poppins," but he died in 1977 at the age of 21.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (11)

Garber and Dotrice later worked together in "The Gnome-Mobile" (1967), which was Garber's last acting credit.

A few years later, the young actor contracted hepatitis, which eventually spread to his pancreas. Garber died of pancreatitis in 1977 at the age of 21.

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Jane Banks was one of Dotrice's very first roles as well.

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (12)

At just 9 years old, Dotrice played the elder Banks child, Jane.

It was only her second acting role at the time, her first being "The Three Lives of Thomasina" with Garber.

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Dotrice continued to make a few appearances in films and on TV, and she came back for a cameo in "Mary Poppins Returns."

THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (13)

Dotrice acted in a few roles between 1963 and 1982 before taking a break until 2005 when she appeared on ION's "Youngblades."

Her next credit wasn't until 2018, when she made a brief cameo in "Mary Poppins Returns" as Elegant Woman.

This story was originally published on December 14, 2018, and most recently updated on August 18, 2023.

Read More:

  • 24 surprising things you probably didn't know about the 'Mary Poppins' movies
  • 6 characters from the original film that appear in 'Mary Poppins Returns'
  • THEN AND NOW: The cast of 'Newsies' 28 years later

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THEN AND NOW: The cast of the original 'Mary Poppins' 59 years later (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Matthew Garber? ›

Illness and death

In 1976, Garber contracted hepatitis while in India. By the time his father brought him back to London, the disease had spread to his pancreas. He died on 13 June 1977 at the age of 21 in the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, London, of haemorrhagic necrotising pancreatitis.

How old was Julie Andrews when she filmed Mary Poppins? ›

Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins)

Mary Poppins fans might know that the film was actually Julie Andrews' big screen debut at the age of 29. After winning an Oscar for Best Actress, Julie Andrews went on to bag a role in The Sound of Music the next year.

Is any of the original cast in Mary Poppins returning? ›

Karen Dotrice, who portrayed the character in the original film, makes a cameo appearance as an elegant woman who asks Jane for directions. Julie Walters as Ellen, Michael's and Jane's long-time housekeeper. The character was previously portrayed by Hermione Baddeley in the original film.

Who turned down the role of Mary Poppins? ›

When Mary Poppins (1964) was being written, the lead role was offered to Dame Julie Andrews by Walt Disney. Andrews told Disney that she was pregnant and couldn't do the movie.

What happened to Michael out of Mary Poppins? ›

Matthew Garber - Michael Banks

Brit star Matthew played Michael Banks in the 1964 film Mary Poppins but retired from acting aged 10. He unknowingly contracted hepatitis while in India in 1976, but by the time his dad managed to get him home in 1977, it had already spread to his pancreas.

Why wasn't Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins Returns? ›

Andrews did not appear in the sequel because she wanted audiences to fully appreciate Emily Blunt's portrayal of the leading role.

Did Julie Andrews do her own singing in Mary Poppins? ›

In Mary Poppins (1964), Julie Andrews provided the whistling for the Robin from the song "A Spoonful of Sugar". It meant that she was whistling in harmony with her own singing.

Does Julie Andrews have perfect pitch? ›

Singer and actress Julie Andrews has long been famed for her perfect pitch and impressive vocal range.

How old was Burt in Mary Poppins? ›

Bert: Male, Age: 30s. The narrator of the story, is a good friend to Mary Poppins. An everyman, Bert has many occupations, including hurdy-gurdy player, sidewalk artist and chimney sweep.

Who is the old lady at the end of the new Mary Poppins? ›

The always brilliant Angela Lansbury plays the old balloon lady at the end of Mary Poppins Returns. Is the song "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins about being nice to the birds or being good to the bird lady? In a broader sense it can be taken as an advocation of philanthropy in itself.

Why is Bert not in Mary Poppins Returns? ›

Mary Poppins Returns

When Mary returns to the Banks' home so she could help Michael with his children, John, Annabel, and Georgie, she asks Jack about Bert, to which he reveals that he is still alive and is now traveling around the world (apparently one of the few to not be affected by the Great Depression).

Who was the little girl in the original Mary Poppins? ›

Karen Dotrice was just eight years old when she left her home in Warwickshire for Hollywood. She was to play the part of Jane Banks in Walt Disney's 1964 movie Mary Poppins, based on the books by P.L. Travers.

What did Julie Andrews think of Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins? ›

I admire her enormously,” the 82-year-old told Closer Weekly Thursday of Blunt. Andrews clarified that the modern take on the storyline won't interfere with the classic. “It's a brand new film based on all of the other stories Walt Disney had in his trunk based on the P.L.

Why did Julie Andrews turn down the role of Mary Poppins? ›

Despite the many callbacks to the original Mary Poppins, the sequel still lacked Andrews' presence. Director Rob Marshall recalled to Variety how quickly Andrews turned down the offer to appear in Mary Poppins Returns. Marshall stated Andrews felt the film was "Emily's show" and didn't want to hog the spotlight.

What happened to the girl who played Jane in Mary Poppins? ›

She appeared in five television programmes between 1972 and 1978, when she made her only feature film as an adult. Her life as an actress concluded with a short run as Desdemona in the 1981 pre-Broadway production of Othello.

Did Roy Garber of Shipping Wars pass away? ›

Roy Garber, who rose to TV fame on "Shipping Wars" as the fix-it-all transporter, has died from a heart attack. Garber was 49. "Shipping Wars," which airs on A&E, just wrapped its fifth season last week and follows different carriers, who bid to transport items for varying sums of money.

What happened to Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins? ›

Mary Poppins Returns

Although his fate is never directly stated in the film, it is clear that he has long passed away by the time of the story. He has a grandson, Georgie, who is named after him. It's mentioned since he was Mr. Dawes Jr.'s partner, he must have shares in the bank.

What happened to Mark in Shipping Wars? ›

Storage Wars Star Mark Balelo Found Dead of Apparent Suicide Storage Wars Star Mark Balelo Found Dead of Apparent Suicide. Mark Balelo, an auction-house owner who appeared as a buyer on A&Es hit reality TV show Storage Wars, has died in an apparent suicide, according to news reports.

What happened to Jane from Mary Poppins? ›

After Mary Poppins, Karen appeared in a string of films, like The Gnome-Mobile (1967) and The Thirty-Nine Steps (1978), as well as on television programs like Upstairs, Downstairs, but eventually she left the business of acting to raise little ones of her own.

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