Andrew Hart Adler, her son, confirmed the death of his mother in an interview with The Press Association on Wednesday. Toby Howes, her nephew, stated on Twitter that his family hoped Howes would “hold on” to the Christmas screening of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” but she died peacefully in her sleep.
It is not known what caused the death of Howes.
According to the New York Times, she was reported as having died in Palm Beach Gardens on Sunday.
An English actor, Howes began her acting career at 12 years old in “Thursday’s Child” (1943). She played the role of a successful schoolgirl who is now an actor. Her parents are Bobby Howes, Patricia Malone and she is part of a long acting lineage.
Over the course of five decades, Howes appeared in over 140 films, musicals and plays, including the screen adaptations of Charles Dickens’ “Nicholas Nickleby,” and “The History of Mr. Polly.” Her biggest success was as Truly Scrumptious, a holiday favourite.
Christmas Day was often broadcast in the United Kingdom as “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.
Howes was a major figure in theater. For her 1962 performance in “Brigadoon,” at New York City Opera, Howes was nominated for a Tony Award. Her career’s second half was spent in theatre. In 1992, she made her final screen appearance in “Secrets”, a limited series.