Musicals Blog

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.