Christopher Plummer, Star Of 'The Sound Of Music', Dies At 91

Christopher Plummer, a Canadian-born Shakespearian actor, who is widely known for his role as Captain von Trapp in the Oscar-winning musical The Sound of Music died on Friday morning at his home in Connecticut. He was 91. “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,” said Lou Pitt, his longtime friend, and manager of 46 years, reports Variety. “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.”

According to Deadline, he died peacefully at home with Elaine Taylor, his wife and best friend of 53 years, by his side. During Plummer's career that lasted nearly seven decades, he won a pair of Emmys and two Tonys. In fact, he is the oldest person to ever win an Oscar! In 2012, he won the award for his supporting turn in the film Beginners. He had a great presence that even critic John Simon once observed, “in its chamois mode, can polish mirrors." Plummer was born on December 13, 1929, in Toronto and raised in Montreal, The versatile actor began his professional career on stage and radio in both French and English.

He debuted in New York in 1954, after which the actor went on to star in many celebrated productions on Broadway and London’s West End, which got him several accolades. Plummer was also a former leading member of the Royal National Theatre under Sir Laurence Olivier and the Royal Shakespeare Company under Sir Peter Hall, where he won London’s Evening Standard Award for Best Actor in Becket; he also led Canada’s Stratford Festival in its formative years. Now, coming to his personal life, it's true when they say third time's a charm. Plummer was married twice before he found Elaine Taylor. He was married first to actress Tammy Grimes, and then to journalist Patricia Audrey Lewis.

Like Plummer, Taylor was also an actor, as per The Sun. Plummer and Taylor met while filming Lock Up Your Daughters in 1969. Plummer had a soft corner for red-haired women, and Taylor had actually colored her hair red for the movie. In his 2008 memoir titled In Spite of Myself, Plummer wrote: "Elaine had now completed her role in the movie and was on her way back to London for yet another engagement -- a busy and popular lady. I felt absolutely empty and as despondent as anyone could be. As she was leaving, I told her I was going to miss her dreadfully and hoped she would let me see her in London. 'All right, but on one condition,' she warned, 'That you cut down on the booze.'"

The two of them got married in Montreal, Quebec on October 2nd, 1970. Taylor is not just a phenomenal actress, she is also said to be a fantastic cook, specialized in French cuisine. Plummer couldn't help but gush over his personal chef of a wife, saying in a 2017 interview, "Well, I have a wife, who is a terrific cook. She knows how to cook organic food fantastically so I'm taken care of as far as the kitchen is concerned... She started French cooking and... it's delicious," according to The List. Plummer was a borderline alcoholic when he met Taylor, and it's thanks to her that he was able to break out of the habit. 

"I was drinking like mad at the time," he confessed. "There was no reason for me to drink as I was making quite a lot of money, but I felt I wasn't doing the kind of things I'd rather be doing. I was between marriages and I realized I mustn't be alone and I needed someone. Then I met Elaine," he said via Daily Mail. Taylor allegedly gave Plummer an ultimatum, threatening to break up with him if he didn't quit. "I was rather a petulant and angry drunk, so I gave the hard stuff up in the '70s and I've been a happy wino ever since! My wife got me out of a real mess," he gushed. Here's hoping that Taylor finds the strength to remain hopeful during these trying times and may Plummer's soul rest in peace.