Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer, born on December 13, 1929, was a celebrated Canadian actor whose illustrious career spanned over seven decades, earning him acclaim in film, stage, and television. Throughout his career, he garnered numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying his place as the only Canadian recipient of the esteemed "Triple Crown of Acting." Additionally, he received accolades such as a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, with a Grammy Award nomination to his credit.
Plummer's journey in the entertainment industry began with his Broadway debut in the 1954 play "The Starcross Story." Over the years, he delivered remarkable performances on stage, earning Tony Awards for his roles in "Cyrano" (1974) and "Barrymore" (1997), among others.
In cinema, Plummer made his mark with his film debut in "Stage Struck" (1958), followed by starring roles in "Wind Across the Everglades" (1958) and "The Sound of Music" (1965), where he portrayed Captain Georg von Trapp alongside Julie Andrews, becoming a household name in the process. His filmography also includes acclaimed performances in movies like "The Fall of the Roman Empire" (1964), "Waterloo" (1970), and "The Man Who Would Be King" (1975).
Plummer's talent continued to shine on the big screen, culminating in an Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Beginners" (2011). He received additional nominations in the same category for his work in "The Last Station" (2009) and "All the Money in the World" (2017). His film credits boast a wide range of memorable roles, including appearances in "Somewhere in Time" (1980), "Malcolm X" (1992), "A Beautiful Mind" (2001), "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" (2011), and "Knives Out" (2019), among others.


Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer, born on December 13, 1929, in Toronto, Ontario, was the only child of John Orme Plummer, a securities salesman, and Isabella Mary Abbott, who worked as a secretary at McGill University. Isabella was the granddaughter of Sir John Abbott, a former Prime Minister of Canada. On his father's side, Plummer was related to F. B. Fetherstonhaugh, a notable patent lawyer and agent. Additionally, he was a second cousin to Nigel Bruce, a renowned British actor known for his portrayal of Doctor Watson.
Plummer's parents separated shortly after his birth, and he was primarily raised by his mother in Senneville, Quebec, on the western edge of Montreal island. Growing up, he became fluent in both English and French. Initially aspiring to become a concert pianist, Plummer developed a passion for theatre during his formative years at the High School of Montreal. Inspired by Laurence Olivier's performance in "Henry V" (1944), he transitioned to acting and honed his craft as an apprentice at the Montreal Repertory Theatre, where he crossed paths with fellow Montrealer William Shatner.
Despite his family's connections to McGill University, Plummer never pursued higher education, a decision he later regretted. In 1946, his talent caught the attention of Herbert Whittaker, the theatre critic for the Montreal Gazette, during his portrayal of Mr. Darcy in a high school production of "Pride and Prejudice." Whittaker, who also directed amateur theatre at the Montreal Repertory, cast Plummer as Oedipus in Jean Cocteau's "La Machine infernale" when he was just 18 years old.


Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer began his professional acting career in 1948 with the Ottawa Stage Society, followed by roles as an apprentice artist at the Montreal Repertory Theatre, where he worked alongside fellow aspiring actor William Shatner. In 1952, Plummer starred in several productions at the Bermudiana Theatre in Bermuda, catching the eye of a US producer. However, he was initially hesitant to leave Bermuda.
In 1953, Plummer was hired by Edward Everett Horton to portray Gerard in the road show production of André Roussin's "Nina." This role marked his professional stage debut in the United States. Shortly after, he made his Broadway debut in January 1953 in the play "The Starcross Story," opposite Mary Astor and Margaret Bannerman. However, the production closed on opening night due to a plagiarism lawsuit.
His subsequent Broadway appearances included "Home is the Hero" (1954), "The Dark Is Light Enough" (1955), and "The Lark" (1955). In "The Lark," he starred opposite Julie Harris and gained critical acclaim. Plummer's versatility was showcased in various roles throughout the 1950s, including performances in "Night of the Auk" and "Medea" opposite Dame Judith Anderson in Paris.


Plummer also made significant contributions to Canadian and American television during this period. He made his Canadian television debut in 1953 in a CBC production of "Othello" and his American television debut in the same year on Studio One's "The Gathering Night." Throughout the 1950s, he appeared in numerous dramatic programs and episodic series, further establishing his reputation as a versatile actor.
In 1956, Plummer made his debut at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, playing the title role in "Henry V," which was later performed at the Edinburgh Festival. Over the following years, he showcased his talent in various Shakespearean roles at the festival, including Hamlet, Leontes in "The Winter's Tale," Bardolph in "Henry IV, Part 1," and Benedick in "Much Ado About Nothing."
In 1959, Plummer received critical acclaim for his performance in Elia Kazan's Broadway production of Archibald MacLeish's "J.B.," earning his first Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.

References

1.  "Christopher Plummer". Golden Globes. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
2. ^ "Christopher Plummer nabs SAG Award for 'Beginners'". CTVNews. January 30, 2012. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
3. a b "Film in 2012". BAFTA Awards. Supporting Actor. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
4. ^ Zak, Dan (February 27, 2017). "Only 22 people had ever accomplished this feat. Now, Viola Davis joins the club". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
5. a b Abel, Judy (January 31, 2010). "At 80, Plummer has arrived at his 'Station'". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on February 16, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2012.
6. a b "Christopher Plummer". TV Guide. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
7. ^ "Famous birthdays for Dec. 13: Steve Buscemi, Jamie Foxx". United Press International. December 13, 2021. Archived from the original on January 31, 2022. Retrieved January 31, 2022.