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

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Jillian Selzer

Updated

2023-08-18T15:07:12Z

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).

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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'
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