Watch CBS News

Legendary 'Sound Of Music' Actor Christopher Plummer Dies At 91

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – Iconic Oscar-winning actor Christopher Plummer, whose career spanned eight decades, has passed away at the age of 91.

The Cinema Society With Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City Host A Screening Of Sony Pictures Classics' "Boundaries" - Arrivals
Actor Christopher Plummer attends the screening of Sony Pictures Classics' "Boundaries" hosted by The Cinema Society with Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City at The Roxy Cinema on June 11, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)

Variety reported Friday that the Canadian actor died at his home in Connecticut. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.

Plummer is arguably best known for his memorable role as Captain Von Trapp in the classic "The Sound of Music."

He appeared in numerous films, including "The Insider," "Knives Out" and "12 Monkeys."

He won the best supporting actor Oscar in 2012 for his performance in "Beginners" at the age of 82, the oldest person to ever win an acting award at the Oscars.

in 2018, when he was nominated at the age of 88 for "All the Money in the World," he became the oldest person to ever be nominated for an acting Oscar.

Plummer also won two Tonys and an Emmy.

"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," his manager told Variety in a statement. "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."

Plummer frequently lamented his role in "The Sound of Music," once calling the film "awful" and overly sentimental. But he could never escape the connection, and he sank his hands and feet in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in conjunction with a 2015 screening of the film.

Los Angeles' Center Theatre Group paid tribute to Plummer, saying he "led an extraordinary career."

"We were truly lucky to have had him join us on the Ahmanson Theatre stage for such inspiring plays as `A Word or Two' and `Barrymore.' So long, farewell, Mr. Plummer," the CTG imparted in a Twitter post.

Actor Elijah Wood reacted on Twitter, saying, "What a legend."

Television producer Phil Rosenthal wrote, "Truly one of the world's greatest. I had the thrill of seeing his Iago opposite James Earl Jones' Othello. Unforgettable. Rest in peace, sir."

Actor Lou Diamond Phillips called Plummer "truly one of the greats."

"A giant in his own time. Inspirational on so many levels but even more so because of his commitment to artistry and the craft even into his twilight years."

George Takei, who crossed paths with Plummer with the acting legend's performance as a Klingon commander in "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," wrote, "The Sound of Music is a sad one today as Christopher Plummer has left us today. He was a giant of stage and screen, winner of an Academy Award for `Beginners' ... Rest in eternal music, Captain Von Trapp."

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. City News Service contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.