"We’ve lost one ofour most iconic and beloved actors. From the Stratford Festival to "TheSound of Music" to "Star Trek," and countless otherperformances, Christopher Plummer gave life to so many characters we love andcherish - and always performed with gravitas and heart," tweeted JustinTrudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada after the death of Christopher Plummer.
Plummer was an Oscaraward winner actor, best known for his role in The Sound of Music. He died peacefully at his home inConnecticut. Plummer was also nominated for the Oscars for The Last Station in2010 and All the Money in the World in 2018. Plummer, in an interview to the People's magazine said, " To do a lousy part like von Trapp, youhave to use every trick you know to fill the empty carcass of the role. That damnmovie follows me around like an albatross."
Plummer also won a pair of Emmys and as per reports, hewas the oldest person to won an Oscar. His long time friend and manager, LouPitt was quoted by Deadline as saying, "Chris was an extraordinary man whodeeply loved and respected his profession with great old fashion manners,self-deprecating humor and the music of words. He was a national treasure whodeeply relished his Canadian roots. Through his art and humanity, he touchedall of our hearts and his legendary life will endure for all generations tocome. He will forever be with us.”
Plummer was a part of nearly 200 films. He has given hislife to cinema, stage and screen. He played a memorable role in The Sound ofMusic as Captain George Von Trapp opposite Julie Andrews' Maria. The prominentand popular musical won five Academy Awards including an award for BestPicture. He spent over 70 years in the film industry.
William Shatner, a Canadian actor, author, producer anddirector took to Twitter to profess his love for Plummer. He said, "A gentleman whose name is Christopher Plummer died today.He was what I call a friend. What is the definition of a friend? Somebody youknow intimately whose every breath and every thought that is so much like yoursor can a friend be someone whose life is..."
According to reports,Plummer was so elegant, master of his craft and perfectionist that he needed onlya few minutes to grab the attention and leave an indelible or lastingimpressing on his audience.
Kathy Bates, an AmericanActor and Director tweeted, "#ChristopherPlummer.I had the pleasure of working with Christopher and crossing swords with him inDolores Claiborne. A true craftsman. One of the greats. A lovely human being.“Good night, sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
Plummer was born onDecember 30, 1939 in Toronto but he was raised in Montreal, Canada. Beginninghis professional career on stage and radio, he worked in both French andEnglish languages. Plummer won two Best Actor Tony awards for the musicalCyrano and the play Barrymore. He was the finest performer who won three DramaDesk Awards for Cyrano, Othello and Barrymore.
Plummer's colleagues,other artists and people say he was kind and sweet always. Stephen Amell, aCanadian Actor and Producer in a tweet wrote, " In early 2006 I had lunch with Lord Richard Attenborough,Shirley MacLaine and one of the most distinguished Canadians ever, Mr.Christopher Plummer. He was so kind and helpful. The man is a legend. He shouldbe on Canadian currency." So, his colleagues and people who met himdescribe him as a most distinguished Canadian ever.
Plummer's TV appearancesare numbered over 100. He was the first to receive the Jason Robards Award inmemory of his friend, the Edwin Booth Award and the Sir John Gielgud QuillAward. He was also invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1968. Thehonorary knighthood was sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth II. He also received aGovernor General's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. Plummer, as per reports,was also inducted in Theatre Hall of Fame in 1986 and Walk of Fame in 2000.
From his most memorableand cherished, The Sound of Music, his co-star, Julie Andrews said, "Theworld has lost a consummate actor today and I have lost a cherished friend. Itreasure the memories of our work together and all the humour and fun we sharedthrough the years."
Owen Gleiberman in anarticle, Christopher Plummer: An Impishly Irascible, Velvet-Voiced Actor WhoTouched Something Timelessin Variety wrote, "The two sides of Plummer — the light andthe dark, the romantic and the sleazy, the hammy and the humane — cometogether, quite gloriously, in “Beginners,”the sublime 2011 dramatic comedy for which he finally won an Oscar (for bestsupporting actor)." Similarly, Bruce Weber, in an article, ChristopherPlummer Actor from Shakespeare to 'The Sound of Music' dies at 91, wrote in TheNew York Times, " He also had charm and arrogance in equalmeasure, and a streak both bibulous and promiscuous, all of which heacknowledged in later life as his manner softened and his habits waned."
Negar Mortazavi, acolumnist with The Independent tweeted, " As a little girl growing up in Iran, I loved watching @SoundofMusic and Captain was oneof my favorites. The film was fully dubbed into Persian by great actors, alsoevery single song was re-written in Persian and performed over the originalmusic. RIP #ChristopherPlummer."All in all he was a great Shakespeareanactor of the 20th century and remained timeless with her stellar performancesand hard-work. From playing historical characters to bringing the scripted onesto life, his presence on screen stole hearts. He remained a quintessentialscene stealer with a lustrous, gem like value. Plummer will be missed.
Rest in peace!