The Mary Poppins Cast: Where Are They Now? Shocking Updates On 12 Stars From The 1964 Original To The 2018 Sequel

Few films possess the timeless, multi-generational magic of *Mary Poppins*. The 1964 Walt Disney classic, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, set an impossibly high bar for musical fantasy, only to be revisited decades later with the highly anticipated 2018 sequel, *Mary Poppins Returns*. As of December 2025, the careers and lives of the actors who brought the Banks family and their magical nanny to life continue to evolve, with some major stars celebrating milestones, others launching blockbuster projects for 2025, and sadly, one beloved matriarch passing away recently.

This deep dive explores the full cast of both iconic films, providing fresh, current updates on their professional lives, personal milestones, and a complete biography for the central figures. From Oscar winners and Broadway legends to the original child stars, here is the definitive "Where Are They Now?" for the cast of *Mary Poppins*.

The Original 1964 Cast: Biographies and Current Status (As of December 2025)

The 1964 film, directed by Robert Stevenson, is a foundational piece of cinema history. The performances by the core cast earned the film 13 Academy Award nominations, winning five, including Best Actress for its leading star. Here is a look at the legendary figures from the original production:

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• Julie Andrews (Mary Poppins):
  • Born: October 1, 1935 (Age 90 in 2025)
  • Role: The magical nanny who flies in on an East Wind to care for the Banks children.
  • Biography: A true Hollywood and Broadway icon, Andrews won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her film debut in *Mary Poppins*. Her career includes other seminal works like *The Sound of Music* and *The Princess Diaries* franchise. She was honored as a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2000.
  • Latest Update (2024/2025): Dame Julie Andrews celebrated her 90th birthday in late 2025. Despite largely stepping away from on-screen acting, she remains active in the arts: she is directing a revival of the musical *The Great American Mousical*, continues her work on the children's series *Julie's Greenroom*, and has released new children's books, including one celebrating the song "Do-Re-Mi".
• Dick Van Dyke (Bert / Mr. Dawes Sr.):
  • Born: December 13, 1925 (Age 100 in 2025)
  • Role: Bert, the jack-of-all-trades, including chimney sweep, street artist, and match seller. He also played the elderly bank director, Mr. Dawes Sr.
  • Biography: A celebrated comedian, actor, and dancer, Van Dyke is a Disney Legend and known for *The Dick Van Dyke Show* and *Chitty Chitty Bang Bang*. His infectious energy and memorable dance routines in *Mary Poppins* are legendary.
  • Latest Update (2025): Van Dyke is approaching his 100th birthday in late 2025, a remarkable milestone. He made a memorable return to the franchise in the 2018 sequel, *Mary Poppins Returns*, playing Mr. Dawes Jr., the son of his original second character, proving he still has the moves.
• Glynis Johns (Winnifred Banks):
  • Born: October 5, 1923 | Died: January 4, 2024 (Age 100)
  • Role: Mrs. Banks, the suffragette mother of Jane and Michael.
  • Biography: Johns had a rich film and stage career before *Mary Poppins*, winning a Tony Award for her role in *A Little Night Music*. Her rendition of "Sister Suffragette" is an iconic moment in the film.
  • Latest Update (2024): Glynis Johns passed away peacefully in January 2024 at the age of 100, making her one of the last surviving major cast members of the original film.
• Karen Dotrice (Jane Banks):
  • Born: November 9, 1955 (Age 70 in 2025)
  • Role: The elder Banks child.
  • Latest Update: Dotrice retired from acting in the 1980s but remains connected to the Disney legacy. She made a cameo appearance in *Mary Poppins Returns* as a woman asking Jane Banks (Emily Mortimer) for directions. She often shares playful and fond memories of working with Dick Van Dyke and the original cast.
• Matthew Garber (Michael Banks):
  • Born: March 25, 1956 | Died: June 1, 1977 (Age 21)
  • Role: The younger Banks child.
  • Latest Update: Garber tragically passed away at the young age of 21 in 1977. He was posthumously named a Disney Legend in 2004.

The Sequel Cast: *Mary Poppins Returns* (2018) and Their Major 2025 Projects

Nearly 55 years after the original, director Rob Marshall brought the magic back with a new cast of phenomenal talent. The sequel sees a grown-up Michael and Jane Banks facing financial hardship in 1930s London, prompting Mary Poppins' return.

• Emily Blunt (Mary Poppins):
  • Born: February 23, 1983 (Age 42 in 2025)
  • Role: The title character, returning to the Banks family.
  • Biography: Blunt is a Golden Globe winner known for her versatility in films like *The Devil Wears Prada*, *A Quiet Place*, and *Oppenheimer*. Her portrayal of Mary Poppins was widely praised for respectfully capturing the spirit of Julie Andrews while making the role her own.
  • Latest Update (2025): Emily Blunt is one of the busiest actresses in Hollywood. Her slate of upcoming films for 2025 and beyond includes the highly anticipated biographical drama *The Smashing Machine* alongside Dwayne Johnson. She is also rumored to be involved in the next installment of the horror franchise, *A Quiet Place 3*, and potentially *Edge of Tomorrow 2*.
• Lin-Manuel Miranda (Jack the Lamplighter):
  • Born: January 16, 1980 (Age 45 in 2025)
  • Role: Jack, a cockney lamplighter and former apprentice of Bert.
  • Biography: Miranda is a Pulitzer Prize and multiple Tony Award-winning composer, writer, and actor, best known as the creator of the Broadway phenomenon *Hamilton* and *In The Heights*. His role as Jack was his first major film musical performance.
  • Latest Update (2025): Miranda's work continues to dominate the musical landscape. The filmed version of his groundbreaking musical *Hamilton* is set to debut in theaters in September 2025. He is also scheduled to appear at major industry events like BroadwayCon 2025 and continues to develop new stage and film projects.
• Ben Whishaw (Michael Banks):
  • Born: October 14, 1980 (Age 45 in 2025)
  • Role: The grown-up Michael Banks, now a widowed father and bank teller.
  • Latest Update: Whishaw is a respected actor known for his roles as Q in the James Bond series and as the voice of Paddington Bear. In 2024 and 2025, he continues his acclaimed voice work while taking on complex dramatic roles in film and television.
• Emily Mortimer (Jane Banks):
  • Born: December 1, 1971 (Age 54 in 2025)
  • Role: The grown-up Jane Banks, now a labor organizer.
  • Latest Update: Mortimer, known for *The Newsroom*, continues to balance her career between major film roles and television work, including a recent appearance in the popular British fantasy series *The Pursuit of Love*.
• Meryl Streep (Topsy):
  • Born: June 22, 1949 (Age 76 in 2025)
  • Role: Topsy, Mary Poppins' eccentric cousin.
  • Latest Update: The three-time Academy Award winner remains one of the most celebrated actresses alive. Her recent work includes major roles in television series and highly anticipated dramatic films, continuing her legendary career.

The Enduring Legacy of P.L. Travers and the Banks Family Story

The story of *Mary Poppins* extends far beyond the two major films. The enduring appeal lies in the original books by P.L. Travers and the creative genius of the Sherman Brothers (Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman), who wrote the iconic songs like "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and "A Spoonful of Sugar." The casting choices, from the original Disney Legend Julie Andrews to the modern powerhouse Emily Blunt, have all served to honor this legacy.

The Banks family home at Cherry Tree Lane, the whimsical London setting, and the themes of childhood wonder versus adult responsibility are entities that have kept the story alive for over six decades. The fact that the story was able to successfully transition from the 1964 classic to the 2018 sequel, with Dick Van Dyke serving as a bridge between the two generations, is a testament to the strength of the characters.

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The recent passing of Glynis Johns in early 2024 served as a poignant reminder of the original cast's age and the passing of time, while the continued activity of Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews—both in their 90s—is nothing short of inspiring. The current projects of Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda ensure that the *Mary Poppins* universe remains relevant and connected to the biggest names in contemporary entertainment, promising that the magic will continue to soar on the East Wind for many years to come.