Canadian-born actor Christopher Plummer has died at the age of 91. He died peacefully at his home in Connecticut, with Elaine Taylor, his wife of 53 years by his side.
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 humour 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.”
Born Arthur Plummer in Toronto in 1929, the great-grandson of John Abbott, Canada’s third prime minister, and grew up in Quebec speaking English and French fluently.He will forever be with us.”
His first film appearance was in was in 1958’s Stage Struck, a backstage drama in which he plays a writer in love with Susan Strasberg’s ingenue.
After leaving school and after a short spell on Broadway, Plummer achieved his first leading role as Hal in Henry V at the 1956 Stratford festival in Ontario.
He also secured roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company in the UK, playing Benedick in the 1961 production of Much Ado About Nothing (opposite Geraldine McEwan) and the title role of Richard III in the same year.
Tributes have been pouring in for The Sound of Music actor with many people offering their condolences.
One person wrote: “An absolute hero of mine. Christopher Plummer. Canadian legend of film and theatre. He will be greatly missed.”