'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' actor Sally Ann Howes dies at 91

Sally Ann Howes, who played as a child actor before she later starred in 1968 film “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” with Dick Van Dyke, has died. She was 91.

Her son Andrew Hart ler confirmed his mor's death in an interview with Press Association on Wednesday. Her nephew, Toby Howes, said on Twitter that family hoped Howes could “hold on” until Christmas screening of “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” but he said she ultimately died peacefully in her sleep.

cause of Howes' death has not been released.

New York Times reported she died in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, on Sunday.

Howes, an English actor, began her career on big screen at age of 12 in 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.

In five deces, Howes me appearances in more than 140 films, musicals, plays and television projects including screen aption of Charles Dickens’ “Nicholas Nickleby” and “ History of Mr. Polly.” She me her biggest splash as character Truly Scrumptious in “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” which became a holiday favorite.

“Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” was often brocasted on Christmas Day in United Kingdom.

Howes me a mark in ater realm. She earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance in “Brigoon” at New York City Opera in 1962. later part of her career was spent in ater. She me her last appearance on screen in limited series “Secrets” in 1992.

IMAGE: AP