Farewell to Christopher
Tributes to Sound Of Music star Plummer
THE Sound Of Music star Christopher Plummer has died aged 91.
He passed away peacefully at his home in Connecticut in the US yesterday with wife of 53 years, Elaine Taylor, by his side.
Confirming his death, Lou Pitt, his longtime friend and manager, said: “Chris was an extraordinary man who deeply loved and respected his profession with great old-fashioned 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 generations to come. He will forever be with us.”
With a career spanning 75 years on stage and screen, Plummer was best known for playing singing anti-nazi Captain von Trapp in the 1965 classic The Sound of Music.
Last night his co-star Julie Andrews, 85, called him a “consummate actor,” adding: “I treasure memories of our work together and the humour and fun we shared over the years.”
But Plummer famously could not stand the film, dubbing it “The Sound Of Mucus.”
He said: “That sentimental stuff is the most difficult for me to play, especially because I’m trained for Shakespeare. To do a lousy part like von Trapp, you have to use every trick you know to fill the empty carcass of the role.”
He appeared in 1969’s Battle Of Britain film, played a Klingon in Star Trek VI in 1991 and won an Oscar in 2012 for best supporting actor in Beginners. He was nominated again for 2017’s All the Money In The World playing J Paul Getty.
Plummer once said: “I love my work. I love what I do. And I’m so sorry for people who do not like their jobs and can’t wait to retire. I’ll never retire. I hope to drop dead onstage.”
Plummer was married three times and was the father of Pulp Fiction actress Amanda.