Christopher Plummer, Legendary Star of Sound of Music, Dead at 91

Oscar winner Christopher Plummer, star of The Sound of Music, passed away on Friday morning at his home in Connecticut at the age of 91 — with his wife of 53 years, Elaine Taylor, by his side. He is also survived by his only child, actress Amanda Plummer.

Christopher Plummer — A Legendary Star

Lou Pitt, Plummer’s longtime friend and manager, confirmed the news to Deadline.

“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,” Pitt told the outlet. “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.”

The Canadian-born Shakespearean actor had a long resume on the screen with more than 100 to his credit. His first film role was in Sidney Lumet’s Stage Struck in 1958. Plummer was the oldest person ever to win an Oscar -— at 81 for Beginners, and also received nods for All the Money in the World and The Last Station. Most recently, Plummer starred in the ensemble of the Rian Johnson-directed Knives Out.

Still, it’s as Captain Von Trapp in the 1965 classic The Sound of Music that Plummer is known best for, as the film is considered one of the most popular of all-time.

He began his acting career on the radio and the stage, performing in both English and French. Plummer would go on to an illustrious career on both Broadway and London’s West End.

On the stage, Plummer took home two Tony Awards for the musical Cyrano and for Barrymore, and earned seven additional nominations through his career, the latest for the 2004 production of King Lear, in which he played the title role.

Plummer also did his share of TV work, earning seven Emmy nominations throughout his lifetime. Among his notable TV appearances are the Emmy-winning BBC Hamlet at Elsinore playing the title role, and appearing in the Emmy-winning productions of The Thornbirds, Nuremberg, Little Moon of Alban, and HBO’s Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight.

A bevy of celebrities are remembering the legendary actor on social media, with Joseph Gordon-Levitt calling him “one of the greats” on Twitter, above a montage of his best roles. Entertainment Hub sends condolences to Christopher Plummer’s family, friends, and fans.