Mary Poppins - Matthew Garber and Karen Dotrice
by Claire J Rottenberg
Matthew Garber's story is a sad one. He began
working in Disney films at the age of seven, when he
appeared in "The Three Lives of
Thomasina." This was followed by his role as
Michael Banks in "Mary Poppins," and
three years later, in 1967, with a role in "The
Gnome-Mobile."
Garber left acting at the age of 11 and disappeared
from the limelight. Ten years later, he tragically
died from a disease of the pancreas.
Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber's co-star in all
three of his films, has had a much better life. Her
parents were theater actors and Karen followed in
their footsteps from a very early age, performing in
her first play at the age of four. This early start
led to a successful career with the Disney
studios.
In her early twenties, Dotrice moved to British
television, appearing on popular series, such as
"Upstairs, Downstairs," and in TV movies.
In 1984, at the age of 29, Dotrice retired from
acting to raise her three children.