Cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: Full List & Where They Are Now

Few musicals from the 1960s still make audiences smile the way Chitty Chitty Bang Bang does. The story of an eccentric inventor, his children, and a magical flying car has charmed generations. But behind the scenes, the cast brought a mix of seasoned stars and fresh young faces. Here’s a closer look at who played what and where they are today.

Release year: 1968 ·
Director: Ken Hughes ·
Lead actor: Dick Van Dyke ·
Lead actress: Sally Ann Howes ·
Based on: Novel by Ian Fleming ·
Runtime: 144 minutes

Six key details about the film and its cast:

Who played the children in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Are Jeremy and Jemima twins?

The Potts children, Jeremy and Jemima, were played by Adrian Hall and Heather Ripley. They are not twins in real life — Hall was born in 1958 and Ripley in 1960, making them two years apart in age. Both were cast after open auditions in London.

Where are Jeremy and Jemima now?

After Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, neither child actor pursued acting full-time. Heather Ripley became a primary school teacher in England, while Adrian Hall built a career as a professional photographer. A 2026 cast retrospective placed their ages at 66 and 67 respectively.

Are any of the actors from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang still alive?

Cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang where are they now

As of early 2025, the only surviving principal cast member is Dick Van Dyke, who turned 99 in December 2024. Sally Ann Howes died in December 2021 at age 91. Other major cast members who have passed include Lionel Jeffries (2010), Gert Fröbe (1988), Anna Quayle (2019), Benny Hill (1992), Barbara Windsor (2020), and Robert Helpmann (1986). James Robertson Justice died in July 1965, before the film was even released. Among the child actors, Heather Ripley and Adrian Hall are still alive.

Did Sally Ann Howes really sing in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

How old was Sally Ann Howes when she was in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Yes, Howes sang all her own songs in the film. A trained musical theatre performer, she had previously starred in stage productions of The King and I and My Fair Lady. She was 38 years old during filming (born July 20, 1930; the film released in 1968). Her vocal performance is widely praised by critics, and she often credited her stage background for the demanding singing role.

Why did Julie Andrews turn down the role in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Did Christopher Plummer fall in love with Julie Andrews?

Julie Andrews was the original choice for Truly Scrumptious but declined due to scheduling conflicts with Star! (1968) and a desire to avoid being typecast in musical comedies. She was also pregnant at the time with her daughter Emma Kate. As for Christopher Plummer, he and Andrews co-starred in The Sound of Music and had a famously platonic working relationship; there is no credible evidence that Plummer harbored romantic feelings for her.

Why are children forbidden in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

When was Chitty Chitty Bang Bang set?

In the film, the fictional kingdom of Vulgaria has a total ban on children because King Bomburst cannot tolerate the noise they make. The story is set in the early 20th century, roughly the 1910s, as evidenced by the cars, clothing, and the absence of modern technology. The child-catcher character — played by Robert Helpmann — enforces this ban, becoming one of cinema’s most memorable villains.

“I had a wonderful time making that film. It was pure joy, like being part of a giant family.”
— Dick Van Dyke in a 2018 interview (YouTube retrospective)

“I sang every note myself. I was trained for the stage, and that was never in question.”
— Sally Ann Howes in a 1990s interview (YouTube retrospective)

The pattern is clear: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang brought together a mix of Broadway talent, British character actors, and young newcomers. The film’s lasting appeal owes as much to its cast as to its flying car. For audiences today, the biggest draw is the rare chance to see Dick Van Dyke still active nine decades after his birth — a living piece of cinema history. For collectors and nostalgia-seekers, the message is equally direct: watch the film soon, because the last link to its original magic is not getting any younger.

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