For many movie watchers today,
when actors of films from decades back are brought up, it becomes easier to
recall them by one singular role in a very memorable film. For certain classic
movie stars there can be many different definitive roles they can be remember
for, between individuals. Audrey Hepburn springs to mind; she can be that
Princess in “Roman Holiday” or the Cockney flower vendor-turned-RP-speaker in “My
Fair Lady.” For Canadian actor Christopher Plummer however, he will always be
Captain Von Trapp in 1965’s “The Sound of Music,” even though he would figure
in many more films until this 21st Century. Sadly, time has claimed
him at last.
People.com tells us that actor Christopher Plummer passed away last
Friday, February 5 at the ripe old age of 91. His lifelong friend and managed,
Lou Pitt issued a statement over the weekend announcing his death, which
followed after complications for injuries suffered in a recent fall. Nevertheless,
his final moments at his home in Weston, Connecticut were peaceful, especially
with his third wife Elaine Taylor at his side. Pitt described Plummer as “a man
who loved and respected his profession… a national treasure who deeply relished
his Canadian roots.”
Beginning his acting career on
stage before moving to the silver screen and television, Plummer already had
many spotlight roles on different genres even before being cast as Captain
Georg Von Trapp opposite Julie Andrews’ Fraulein Maria in “The Sound of Music.”
Sci-fi fans would remember him best as Chang in “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered
Country” where he starred alongside fellow Canadian and friend William Shatner.
He would also gain a presence in
voice work for animation, first in Don Bluth’s 1986 classic “An American Tail,”
and then as the narrator for the French-American-Canadian co-produced animated
series “Madeline” (1993-95).
Even in his later years
Christopher Plummer featured in standout acting performances. At age 82 he won
Best Supporting Actor in the 84th Academy Awards for the 2010 film “Beginners,”
making him the oldest actor to win an acting award. He would beat his own record
for the oldest acting award nominee (Best Supporting Actor, again) in 2018, for
“All the Money in the World.”
Many of his costars in film over
the decades expressed condolences for Plummer’s passing, but none could be as
poignant as of Julie Andrews, who said, "The world has lost a consummate
actor today and I have lost a cherished friend. I treasure the memories of our
work together and all the humor and fun we shared through the years. My heart
and condolences go out to his lovely wife Elaine, and his daughter
Amanda."
Image courtesy of Vanity Fair
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