Sally Ann Howes, who played as a child actor before she later starred in the 1968 film ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ with Dick Van Dyke, has died. She was 91.
Her son Andrew Hart Adler confirmed his mother’s death in an interview with the Press Association on Wednesday. Her nephew, Toby Howes, said on Twitter that the family hoped Howes could “hold on” until the Christmas screening of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ but he said she ultimately died peacefully in her sleep.
The cause of Howes’ death has not been released.
The New York Times reported she died in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Sunday.
Howes, an English actor, began her career on the big screen at the age of 12 in the 1943 film ‘Thursday’s Child,’ where she played a schoolgirl turned successful actor. She comes from an acting lineage that includes her parents, Bobby Howes and Patricia Malone.
Read more
- Festive viewing: 7 Netflix holiday movies to ring in the cheer
- From Sylvester Stallone and Jennifer Flavin to Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson: Celebrity breakups from Hollywood and Bollywood that shook fans
- Webbed wonders: All 9 Spider-Man movies, ranked from worst to best
- Mahima Chaudhry to Khloe Kardashian: Bollywood and Hollywood stars who have spoken about their battle with cancer
In five decades, Howes made appearances in more than 140 films, musicals, plays and television projects including the screen adaption of Charles Dickens’ ‘Nicholas Nickleby’ and ‘The History of Mr Polly.’ She made her biggest splash as the character Truly Scrumptious in `’Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,’ which became a holiday favourite.
‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ was often broadcasted on Christmas Day in the United Kingdom.
Howes made a mark in the theatre realm. She earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance in ‘Brigadoon’ at the New York City Opera in 1962. The later part of her career was spent in theatre. She made her last appearance on screen in the limited series ‘Secrets’ in 1992.
