Christopher Plummer – The “Peter Pan” of Actors

Christopher Plummer had an extensive stage career and it’s no surprise that his role as Captain Georg von Trapp in The Sound of Music cemented his debut success on film. Later on, he would go on to star in such films as Waterloo, Rudyard Kipling’s The Man Who Would Be King and Sherlock Holmes mystery Murder by Decree.

Stage

Christopher Plummer has enjoyed a illustrious stage career, appearing in many classic plays from Broadway to London’s West End. Additionally, he has appeared in numerous movies and TV shows that were critically acclaimed at the time.

He has portrayed Shakespearean kings to modern dramas, humorous roles to malevolent ones. His versatility has earned him success on both stage and screen alike.

Plummer made his Broadway debut with The Starcross Story in 1954 and continued acting onstage until the 1960s. Additionally, he worked on CBC radio dramas in Canada until 1950.

His first film role was in the 1958 Sidney Lumet drama Stage Struck, followed by roles in such classic films as Wind Across the Everglades and The Fall of the Roman Empire. Additionally, he made a memorable appearance as Detective Sherlock Holmes in 1979’s Murder by Decree.

Plummer has spent his career at Stratford-upon-Avon, where in 1997 he earned a Tony for his role as John Barrymore in “Barrymore.” He has performed in numerous Shakespearean plays such as Hamlet and Lear, plus modern classics like The Tempest and Caesar and Cleopatra.

He is renowned for his work in television, earning numerous Emmy nominations and winning in 1977 for the miniseries Moneychangers. Additionally, he has starred in films such as Beginners, The Man Who Would Be King and The Sound of Music.

In 2009, he played Russian author Leo Tolstoy in the film The Last Station for which he received an Academy Award nomination. Additionally, he featured in Beginners and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo in 2010.

Plummer has also written several books about his life, such as How I Became an Actor: A Biography of a Canadian Stage Legend, which recounts stories about his early days in the performing arts and journeys throughout Canada and the United States.

Film

Christopher Plummer was a classically trained stage actor who ventured into Hollywood. His film debut in Sidney Lumet’s 1958 drama Stage Struck marked his entrance into cinematic history, and since then he has appeared both on television and films alike. Christopher won numerous awards for his roles in musicals like Cyrano; additionally, he earned an Emmy nomination for voice-over work on children’s show Madeline.

He earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as Tolstoy in The Last Station (2009). Throughout the years, he continued his Hollywood career, appearing in films like Must Love Dogs (2005) and Syriana (2005). His portrayal of journalist Mike Wallace in Michael Mann’s 1999 drama The Insider received critical acclaim, while co-starring with Al Pacino and Russell Crowe in 2001’s A Beautiful Mind.

Though his career began as a theater actor, Plummer has since gone on to star in over 200 film and television roles ranging from romantic comedy to drama and war films. He is best remembered for his iconic performance in The Sound of Music (1965), but he also featured in many other classic films.

Following his initial Broadway success in 1953, Plummer began snagging leading roles on film. He starred alongside Sean Connery and Michael Caine in John Huston’s 1975 adventure The Man Who Would Be King. Additionally, he appeared in Stephen King’s Needful Things adaptation as well as Dolores Claiborne.

He was one of the greatest actors of his generation and an adept two-fisted drinker. His commitment to roles onstage and screen was often matched with an intense passion for his craft. His film performances ranged from sardonic to heartfelt, showing remarkable warmth and vulnerability in all characters he played.

In his later years, Plummer enjoyed a remarkable film resurgence. His performance in Michael Hoffman’s The Last Station (2009) earned him an Oscar nomination and he also featured prominently in Mike Mills’ highly praised 2010 drama Beginners.

The film follows a middle-aged man (Plummer) as he comes to terms with his sexuality and embraces living life on his own terms. He is an intriguing character with many layers, who offers an endearing performance that blends wit and wisdom beautifully.

Television

Christopher Plummer was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and began his career as a concert pianist before transitioning into acting. His success onstage and television has earned him nominations for four Genie awards and two Emmys. Additionally, in 2001 he received a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as TV journalist Mike Wallace in Michael Mann’s The Insider.

He was an accomplished actor, capable of delivering performances with ease. He featured in numerous stage productions and appeared on multiple television shows throughout his career.

Plummer began his professional acting career with a role in a local Montreal stage production of Shakespeare’s Othello. Subsequently, he appeared in numerous Broadway plays such as Cyrano de Bergerac and Macbeth.

His acting career took off with his role as Captain Georg Ludwig von Trapp in the 1965 film version of The Sound of Music, which catapulted him to international stardom. Despite his famous disdain for both the movie and its production, he remained an ardent fan of the musical and regularly attended cast reunions.

After moving to New York in the 1980s, he sought out various acting challenges. He appeared in many Broadway plays, including Harold Pinter’s 1994 revival of No Man’s Land.

In 1994, acclaimed actor Jack Black was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in No Man’s Land and then went on to star on Broadway in Barrymore, earning another nomination. Following that he joined Inherit the Wind in 2007 on Broadway.

Plummer developed an affinity for the arts as a child, spending his free time watching various theater and ballet productions. Later he went on to work as a lighting designer for stage plays, following his passion for drama which eventually culminated in an acting career.

At the start of his career in theatre, Plummer worked closely with renowned director William Norton. He played various characters for Norton’s Shakespeare in the Park company and received critical acclaim for his performances.

Music

Canadian actor Christopher Plummer passed away last night, prompting tributes from across the industry. Referred to as “Peter Pan,” Plummer had an illustrious seven-decade career on stage and screen that won him fans worldwide. Additionally, he was renowned for his Shakespearean roles in plays like Othello, Richard III, King Lear and The Tempest – often portraying disturbed protagonists.

He starred as Captain Georg von Trapp, a surly alcoholic who ultimately falls in love with a nun in the 1965 musical The Sound of Music. Based on a true story about famous singers who fled Nazi-occupied Austria to found refugee settlements abroad, the film follows their journey.

The Sound of Music became an international sensation, with audiences around the world adoring its beautiful music. One iconic scene is when Plummer sings “Edelweiss” to Julie Andrews’ Maria – who breaks down in tears at her performance.

Plummer was an accomplished musician and concert pianist by training, but acting was his true passion. He appeared in multiple Shakespearean plays as well as the Broadway production of Cyrano de Bergerac.

His first major film role was in 1958’s Stage Struck, directed by Sidney Lumet. Subsequently, he appeared in several other films.

He began his professional acting career onstage, appearing in numerous Shakespeare plays such as Othello, Richard III and King Lear. He has toured internationally and been featured in many TV productions.

Plummer had a deep appreciation for classical composers, with William Walton being his favorite. In 1944, he even narrated the one-hour score to a film version of Henry V that featured incidental music composed by Walton.

In addition to his film work, Plummer voiced several animated movies. Critics praised his voice for its warmth and richness, earning it an Academy Award nomination.

He had an illustrious career in television, where he was renowned for his comedic abilities and self-deprecating humor. He earned two Emmy Awards and one Genie Award during the course of his illustrious career.