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Christopher Plummer, screen legend, dies aged 91

Updated / Saturday, 6 Feb 2021 01:20
Christopher Plummer became the oldest actor to win a competitive acting Oscar when he won for Beginners
Christopher Plummer became the oldest actor to win a competitive acting Oscar when he won for Beginners

The death has been announced of Christopher Plummer, the Oscar-winning Canadian actor best known for his iconic role as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music.

The screen legend passed away at his home in the US state of Connecticut with his wife of 51 years Elaine Taylor by his side. He is also survived by his only child, fellow actor Amanda Plummer. Her mother was Christopher Plummer's first wife, the late actress and singer Tammy Grimes.

Christopher Plummer and Elaine Taylor at the Oscars in 2013

In a statement, his longtime friend and manager of 46 years Lou Pitt said: "Chris was an extraordinary man who deeply loved and respected his profession with great old fashion manners, self deprecating humor and the music of words. He was a National Treasure who deeply relished his Canadian roots.

"Through his art and humanity, he touched all of our hearts and his legendary life will endure for all generations to come. He will forever be with us."

Plummer's career on stage and screen spanned over 75 years and included more than 100 films.

At the age of 82, he became the oldest winner of a competitive Oscar in the acting categories when he was honoured with Best Supporting Actor for his performance opposite Ewan McGregor in the comedy-drama Beginners.

He was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for All the Money in the World in 2018 and The Last Station in 2010. Plummer famously took on the role of J Paul Getty in All the Money in the World after Kevin Spacey was cut from the finished film.

In his Oscar-nominated role as J Paul Getty in All the Money in the World

Plummer was a Golden Globe and BAFTA winner for Beginners, and a two-time Emmy winner for The New Adventures of Madeline and Arthur Hailey's The Moneychangers on the small screen.

Among his other Emmy nominations was a Best Supporting Actor nomination for his performance in the hit miniseries The Thorn Birds, an adaptation of Colleen McCullough's best-selling novel. On stage, he received Tony awards for his performances in Barrymore and Cyrano.

The Toronto native was most recently seen on cinema screens in the whodunnit Knives Out and the war film The Last Full Measure. His final film, the animated adventure Heroes of the Golden Masks, is classified as "filming" on the Internet Movie Database (IMDB).

With Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music

Raised in Montreal, Plummer began his professional career in both French and English productions and made his film debut in 1958's Stage Struck. Other films in his lengthy career included The Man Who Would Be King, The Return of the Pink Panther, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Malcolm X, Twelve Monkeys, The Insider, A Beautiful Mind, Syriana, Inside Man and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. 

He had been globally recognised since his role as the taciturn but ultimately tender Captain Von Trapp opposite Julie Andrews in 1965's The Sound of Music - a performance cherished by generations of film fans and for which he will be most remembered.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada in 2019, Plummer said: "My whole life has been great fun. Even the lousiest job you could possibly imagine has been fun."

In a statement to the Press Association, Plummer's longtime friend and Sound of Music co-star Julie Andrews remembered a "consummate actor" and "cherished friend".

"I treasure the memories of our work together and all the humour and fun we shared through the years," she continued.

"My heart and condolences go out to his lovely wife Elaine and his daughter Amanda."

Oscars organiser the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Plummer "beguiled audiences across generations". 

Paying tribute, All the Money in the World director Ridley Scott told US entertainment trade publication Deadline: "I was fortunate enough to work with him less than two years ago and had a wonderful experience. My heartfelt condolences go to Elaine. He will be really missed."

Knives Out co-star Chris Evans described Plummer as "a lovely man and a legendary talent", saying that his passing was "truly heartbreaking".

Here are some more of the many tributes:

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