The Life And Career Of Christopher Plummer

By ETCanada.com Staff. 5 Feb 2021 1:06 PM

Canada’s own legendary actor Christopher Plummer has passed away at age 91. We’re taking a look back at his extraordinary life and career.

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On How He'd Like To Be Remembered
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In 2015, Christopher Plummer told ET Canada of how he'd like to be remembered after his death: "I hope that they would at least have laughed a little bit at me and also perhaps cried once or twice... it'd be nice. I think of the world as an audience. I don't have any regrets in the long run."
Stratford
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Plummer treaded the boards in Stratford, Ont. since 1956, when he played the titular character in Henry V. He was known for playing legendary Shakespeare characters, Hamlet (Hamlet), Leontes (The Winter’s Tale) and many more. He eventually performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon, England.
On Broadway
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Plummer starred on Broadway in numerous stage productions over the years, with the first being the 1953 play,The Starcross Story.

In one of his last parts on Broadway, in 2007 he starred alongside Brian Dennehy and Denis O'Hare in a limited engagement of Inherit The Wind for which he was nominated for a Tony Award.

The stage star won two Tony Awards in his career, for his roles in Cyrano and Barrymore. He was also nominated for several other Tonys.
The Leap From Stage To Big Screen
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The iconic actor went from stage to screen, making the leap from Broadway to starring in the film "Stage Struck", alongside Susan Strasberg, in 1958.
'The Sound Of Music'
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Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer are flanked on all sides by their children, all members of the singing Von Trapp family, in the 1965 adaption of the Rogers and Hammerstein classic musical, "The Sound of Music".

Andrews said of his passing in a statement to ET Canada: “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 humour and fun we shared through the years,” she added. “My heart and condolences go out to his lovely wife Elaine, and his daughter Amanda.”
Two Canadian Greats
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Fellow Canadian William Shatner had been a friend of Plummer for years, with the pair each crossing paths with their early radio work and appearances at the Stratford Festival. Captain Kirk himself even invited Plummer to join him in 1991's “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country”, as Klingon General Chang.
'The Insider'
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In 1999, Plummer played “60 Minutes” reporter Mike Wallace in "The Insider". Co-star Al Pacino, a longtime fan of Plummer, advised director Michael Mann to watch the Canadian’s performance in “Stage Struck” (1958). He was hired, no audition required.
He Made Oscar History
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Christopher Plummer made Oscar history by becoming the oldest person to win an Academy Award at age 82. It was long overdue, when the legendary actor finally won the Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role trophy for his work in "Beginners" in 2012.

He starred as Ewan McGregor's elderly father who comes out as gay in the film. During his acceptance speech, Plummer told the statuette: “You are only two years older than me, darling. Where have you been all my life?” The Academy Award joined his two Emmy Awards, two Tony Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a SAG Award, and a BAFTA Award on the family mantelpiece.

Plummer was also nominated for Oscars in 2010 for playing Tolstoy in the biopic "The Last Station", and again in 2018 for playing J. Paul Getty in the biopic "All The Money In The World".
His Great Grandfather Was Famous
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In his 2008 memoir, In Spite Of Myself, Plummer reveals he is the great-grandson of Canada's third Prime Minister, Sir John Abbott. Abbott is one of the many historical figures buried at the Mount Royal cemetery in Montreal.
Award Winning Animation
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Plummer was introduced to a younger generation when he voiced Charles Muntz in Pixar’s Oscar-winning film “Up”.

The animated movie won both the Best Animated Feature Film Academy Award and Golden Globe in 2010.

The Life And Career Of Christopher Plummer

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