History of Christopher Plummer in Timeline
Christopher Plummer was a highly celebrated Canadian actor with a career spanning seven decades. He achieved the "Triple Crown of Acting" by winning an Academy Award, two Tony Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards, a distinction held by no other Canadian. His exceptional talent also earned him a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Grammy Award nomination. His legacy extends across film, stage, and television.
December 13, 1929: Birth of Christopher Plummer
On December 13, 1929, Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer was born in Toronto, Ontario. He would go on to have a successful career spanning seven decades in film, stage, and television.
1944: Discovering a Passion for Acting
Christopher Plummer developed a love for theater at an early age, and his passion for acting was further ignited after watching Laurence Olivier's film "Henry V" in 1944.
1946: Early Recognition and Breakthrough Role
In 1946, at the age of 18, Christopher Plummer's performance as Mr. Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice" caught the attention of theater critic Herbert Whittaker. This led to Plummer being cast as Oedipus in Jean Cocteau's "La Machine infernale", marking a turning point in his early acting career.
1948: Professional Acting Debut
Christopher Plummer's professional acting debut took place in 1948 with Ottawa's Stage Society.
1951: US Producer Recruits Plummer
In 1952, a US producer spotted Christopher Plummer's talent during his performances in Bermuda and recruited him. Despite his reluctance to leave, Edward Everett Horton hired Plummer for a role in the 1953 road show production of André Roussin's "Nina", a role previously played by David Niven on Broadway in 1951.
1952: Performances in Bermuda
In 1952, Christopher Plummer starred in a number of productions at the Bermudiana Theatre in Hamilton, Bermuda.
January 1953: Broadway Debut and Setback
Christopher Plummer made his Broadway debut in January 1953 in "The Starcross Story." However, the play closed on opening night due to a plagiarism lawsuit.
February 1953: Canadian Television Debut
Christopher Plummer made his Canadian television debut in February 1953 in the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's production of "Othello," which starred Lorne Greene.
October 1954: "Home is the Hero" Performance
Christopher Plummer's performance in "Home is the Hero" on Broadway ran for 30 shows from September to October 1954.
1954: Broadway Debut
In 1954, Christopher Plummer made his Broadway debut in the play "The Starcross Story".
April 1955: "The Dark Is Light Enough" Performance
Christopher Plummer appeared alongside Katharine Cornell and Tyrone Power in "The Dark Is Light Enough" on Broadway, which ran for 69 performances from February to April 1955. Plummer also served as Power's understudy.
1956: Marriage to Tammy Grimes
Christopher Plummer married actress Tammy Grimes in 1956. The couple had one daughter, actress Amanda Plummer, before divorcing four years later.
1956: Stratford Shakespeare Festival Debut and Edinburgh Festival
In 1956, Christopher Plummer debuted at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival as Henry V. The production was later staged at the Edinburgh Festival that same year.
1957: Notable Roles at Stratford Festival
Christopher Plummer performed notable roles at the Stratford Festival in 1957, including Hamlet in "Hamlet" and Sir Andrew Aguecheek in "Twelfth Night".
1958: Film Debut and First Starring Role
Christopher Plummer made his film debut in "Stage Struck" and landed his first starring role in "Wind Across the Everglades", both in 1958.
1958: Television Performances with Julie Harris
Christopher Plummer starred alongside Julie Harris in the television adaptations of "Little Moon of Alban" and "Johnny Belinda", both in 1958.
1958: Film Debut in "Stage Struck" and Lead Role in "Wind Across the Everglades"
Christopher Plummer's film career commenced in 1958 when he was cast by director Sidney Lumet as a young writer in "Stage Struck." That same year, he took on the lead role in Nicholas Ray's film "Wind Across the Everglades."
1959: Tony Nomination for "J.B."
Christopher Plummer was nominated for his first Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his performance in "J.B." in 1959.
1959: Critical Acclaim for "J.B."
Christopher Plummer's performance in Elia Kazan's Broadway production of "J.B." in 1959 earned him critical acclaim and his first Tony Award nomination.
1959: Television Adaptations and "A Doll's House"
In 1959, Christopher Plummer appeared in the television adaptations of Philip Barry's "The Philadelphia Story" and starred as Torvald Helmer opposite Julie Harris' Nora in a television version of Henrik Ibsen's "A Doll's House."
1960: "Captain Brassbound's Conversion" Performance
Christopher Plummer starred in the 1960 television adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's "Captain Brassbound's Conversion".
April 1961: Royal Shakespeare Company Performances
In April 1961, Christopher Plummer joined the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England. He took on the role of Benedick in Shakespeare's comedy "Much Ado About Nothing."
May 1961: Richard III with the RSC
Continuing his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) in May 1961, Christopher Plummer performed the lead role of Richard III at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.
June 11, 1961: London Debut as King Henry II
On June 11, 1961, Christopher Plummer made his London debut in the role of King Henry II in Jean Anouilh's play "Becket." The production, directed by Peter Hall, was staged at the Aldwych Theatre with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).
December 1961: "Becket" Transfer to the Globe Theatre
Following its successful run at the Aldwych Theatre, Christopher Plummer's London production of "Becket" transferred to the Globe Theatre in December 1961.
April 1962: Conclusion of "Becket" Run at the Globe Theatre
Christopher Plummer's performance as King Henry II in "Becket" at the Globe Theatre concluded in April 1962. He garnered critical acclaim for his portrayal, earning the Evening Standard Award for Best Actor.
May 4, 1962: Marriage to Patricia Lewis
Christopher Plummer married journalist Patricia Lewis on May 4, 1962.
1962: "Cyrano de Bergerac" Performance
Christopher Plummer took on the lead role in the 1962 television adaptation of Edmond Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac".
1963: The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui and The Royal Hunt of the Sun
In 1963, Christopher Plummer appeared in two notable productions: Bertolt Brecht's "The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui," which, despite Plummer's performance, was not a commercial success, and Peter Shaffer's "The Royal Hunt of the Sun." Plummer's performance in the latter play, in which he portrayed conquistador Francisco Pizarro alongside David Carradine as Atahuallpa, was critically acclaimed.
1964: "The Fall of the Roman Empire" Release
Christopher Plummer starred in "The Fall of the Roman Empire", released in 1964.
1964: "Hamlet at Elsinore" and Emmy Nomination
Christopher Plummer's performance as Hamlet in the BBC's 1964 production of "Hamlet at Elsinore", filmed on location at Elsinore Castle, earned him his second Emmy nomination.
1964: Role as Emperor Commodus in "The Fall of the Roman Empire"
In 1964, Christopher Plummer portrayed the Roman emperor Commodus in Anthony Mann's historical epic "The Fall of the Roman Empire."
1965: Appearance in "Inside Daisy Clover"
Christopher Plummer appeared in the film "Inside Daisy Clover" in 1965.
1965: Release of "The Sound of Music"
Christopher Plummer's portrayal of Captain Von Trapp in the Robert Wise-directed musical "The Sound of Music" alongside Julie Andrews premiered in 1965. The film went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and became a massive box-office success.
1965: "The Sound of Music" Release
Christopher Plummer's role as Captain Georg von Trapp in the musical film "The Sound of Music" alongside Julie Andrews, released in 1965, brought him widespread recognition.
1966: Role of Eddie Chapman in "Triple Cross"
In 1966, Christopher Plummer took on the role of World War II agent Eddie Chapman in the film "Triple Cross."
1967: Divorce from Patricia Lewis
Christopher Plummer and Patricia Lewis divorced in 1967, three years before he married Elaine Taylor.
1967: Supporting Role as Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
Christopher Plummer appeared as Field Marshal Erwin Rommel in the film "The Night of the Generals" in 1967.
1968: Lead Roles in "Oedipus the King" and "The High Commissioner"
In 1968, Christopher Plummer played the title roles in the films "Oedipus the King" and "The High Commissioner," portraying an Australian character in the latter.
1968: Companion of the Order of Canada
In 1968, Christopher Plummer was invested as a Companion of the Order of Canada, one of the country's highest civilian honors.
1969: Roles in "Battle of Britain," "Lock Up Your Daughters," and "The Royal Hunt of the Sun"
Christopher Plummer starred in three films released in 1969: the war epic "Battle of Britain," the musical "Lock Up Your Daughters," and the film adaptation of "The Royal Hunt of the Sun," where he reprised his stage role as Atahualpa alongside Robert Shaw as Pizarro.
October 2, 1970: Marriage to Elaine Taylor
Christopher Plummer married actress Elaine Taylor on October 2, 1970. The couple resided in Weston, Connecticut.
1970: Portrayal of the Duke of Wellington in "Waterloo"
Christopher Plummer portrayed the Duke of Wellington in the historical film "Waterloo" in 1970.
1970: "Waterloo" Release
In 1970, the film "Waterloo", starring Christopher Plummer, was released.
June 1971: Season at the Royal National Theatre
From June 1971 to January 1972, Christopher Plummer joined the Royal National Theatre for a season of repertory theater. His performances included roles in Jean Giraudoux's "Amphitryon 38," directed by Laurence Olivier, Georg Büchner's "Danton's Death," Adrian Mitchell's "Tyger," Luigi Pirandello's "The Rules of the Game," and Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night."
January 1972: Conclusion of Royal National Theatre Season
Christopher Plummer concluded his season at the Royal National Theatre in January 1972 after a diverse range of performances.
June 1973: Tony Award-Winning Performance in "Cyrano"
Christopher Plummer starred as the title character in "Cyrano," a musical adaptation of Edmond Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac," on Broadway from May to June 1973. His performance earned him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance.
1973: Appearance in "The Pyx"
Christopher Plummer starred in the Canadian film "The Pyx" in 1973.
1973: Performance in "Lovers and Madmen"
Christopher Plummer starred in the play "Lovers and Madmen" at the Opera House at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 1973.
1974: Tony Award for "Cyrano"
Christopher Plummer won his first Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Cyrano de Bergerac in "Cyrano" in 1974.
1974: Role in "After the Fall"
In 1974, Christopher Plummer played the character Quentin in an adaptation of Arthur Miller's play "After the Fall," performing alongside Faye Dunaway.
1975: "The Return of the Pink Panther" Release
Christopher Plummer appeared in "The Return of the Pink Panther", which was released in 1975.
1975: "The Man Who Would Be King" Release
Christopher Plummer starred in "The Man Who Would Be King", which was released in 1975.
1975: Creation and Performance of "Love and Master Will"
In 1975, Christopher Plummer conceived and performed in "Love and Master Will" at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. The play featured selections from William Shakespeare's works on the theme of love, arranged by Plummer himself. He shared the stage with Zoe Caldwell, Bibi Andersson, and Leonard Nimoy.
1975: Roles in "The Man Who Would Be King" and "The Return of the Pink Panther"
In 1975, Christopher Plummer portrayed Rudyard Kipling in "The Man Who Would Be King" and starred in the comedy "The Return of the Pink Panther" alongside Peter Sellers.
1976: Role in "Aces High"
Christopher Plummer had a role in the film "Aces High," released in 1976.
1977: Death of Christopher Plummer's Father
Christopher Plummer's father, John Orme Plummer, passed away in 1977.
1977: Appearances in "Jesus of Nazareth" and "The Scarlet and the Black"
In 1977, Christopher Plummer appeared as Herod Antipas in the television miniseries "Jesus of Nazareth," which featured a star-studded cast including Laurence Olivier, James Earl Jones, and James Mason. That same year, he starred as Herbert Kappler in the television film "The Scarlet and the Black."
1978: Appearances in "The Silent Partner," "Starcrash," and "International Velvet"
Christopher Plummer appeared in three films released in 1978: "The Silent Partner" opposite Elliott Gould, the science fiction film "Starcrash," and the thriller "International Velvet."
1978: Role in "Drinks before Dinner"
Christopher Plummer played the character "Edgar" in E.L. Doctorow's play "Drinks before Dinner" in 1978. The production was staged at the Public/Newman Theatre in New York City as part of the New York Shakespeare Festival.
1979: Portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in "Murder by Decree"
In 1979, Christopher Plummer took on the role of Sherlock Holmes in the film "Murder by Decree."
1980: Somewhere in Time
Christopher Plummer appeared in the romantic drama "Somewhere in Time" in 1980.
1981: Eyewitness
Christopher Plummer appeared in the drama "Eyewitness" in 1981.
1981: Return to the American Shakespeare Festival
In 1981, Christopher Plummer returned to the American Shakespeare Festival to play the title role in "Henry V".
1982: Tony Nomination for "Othello"
In 1982, Christopher Plummer received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in "Othello".
1982: Othello on Broadway
In 1982, Christopher Plummer starred as Iago in a Broadway production of Shakespeare's "Othello" opposite James Earl Jones. He received critical acclaim for his performance.
1986: An American Tail
Christopher Plummer provided the voice for Henri the pigeon in the animated film "An American Tail" in 1986.
1986: Induction into American Theatre Hall of Fame
Christopher Plummer was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1986.
1987: Dragnet
Christopher Plummer appeared in the comedy "Dragnet" in 1987.
1988: Shadow Dancing
Christopher Plummer appeared in "Shadow Dancing" in 1988.
1988: Macbeth on Broadway
In 1988, Christopher Plummer starred in the title role of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" with Glenda Jackson on Broadway.
1991: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
Christopher Plummer appeared in the science fiction film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" in 1991.
1991: Rock-a-Doodle
Christopher Plummer voiced the villainous Grand Duke of Owls in the animated film "Rock-a-Doodle" in 1991.
1993: Madeline
From 1993 to 1995, Christopher Plummer narrated the animated television series "Madeline."
1994: Wolf
Christopher Plummer appeared in the horror drama "Wolf," directed by Mike Nichols, in 1994.
1994: Tony Nomination for "No Man's Land"
Christopher Plummer was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in "No Man's Land" in 1994.
1994: No Man's Land Revival
In 1994, Christopher Plummer appeared alongside Jason Robards in a revival of Harold Pinter's "No Man's Land."
1995: The World of David the Gnome
From 1993 to 1995, Christopher Plummer also narrated the animated series, "The World of David the Gnome."
1995: Dolores Claiborne and 12 Monkeys
In 1995, Christopher Plummer appeared in two films: Taylor Hackford's "Dolores Claiborne" and Terry Gilliam's "12 Monkeys."
1997: The Arrow and Barrymore
Christopher Plummer portrayed George Hees in the miniseries "The Arrow" and achieved great success in the Broadway production of "Barrymore" in 1997.
1998: Star on Canada's Walk of Fame
Christopher Plummer received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto in 1998.
1999: "The Insider" Release
Christopher Plummer appeared in "The Insider", released in 1999.
2000: Nuremberg, The Moneychangers, and American Tragedy
Christopher Plummer appeared in "Nuremberg," "The Moneychangers," and "American Tragedy" in 2000.
2001: A Beautiful Mind
Christopher Plummer appeared as Dr. Rosen in the film "A Beautiful Mind" in 2001.
2001: Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement
Christopher Plummer received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement in 2001, Canada's highest honor in the performing arts.
2002: Nicholas Nickleby
Christopher Plummer appeared as Uncle Ralph in the film adaptation of "Nicholas Nickleby" in 2002.
2002: King Lear
Christopher Plummer appeared in a production of "King Lear" in 2002.
2004: The Prime Ministers
Christopher Plummer appeared in the documentary series "The Prime Ministers" in 2004.
2004: National Treasure
Christopher Plummer played John Adams Gates in "National Treasure" in 2004.
2004: King Lear Transfer to New York City
Christopher Plummer's production of "King Lear" successfully transferred to New York City in 2004.
2004: Tony Nomination for "King Lear"
In 2004, Christopher Plummer was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance as King Lear in the play "King Lear".
2005: "The New World" and "Syriana" Release
Christopher Plummer had roles in two films released in 2005: "The New World" and "Syriana".
2005: Syriana, Must Love Dogs, and The New World
In 2005, Christopher Plummer appeared in the films "Syriana," "Must Love Dogs," and "The New World."
2005: DVD Commentary for "The Sound of Music"
In 2005, Christopher Plummer contributed commentary to the DVD release of "The Sound of Music."
2006: Inside Man and The Lake House
Christopher Plummer appeared in "Inside Man" and "The Lake House" in 2006.
2006: "Inside Man" Release
The film "Inside Man", starring Christopher Plummer, was released in 2006.
2007: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Membership
Christopher Plummer became a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Actor's Branch in 2007.
2007: Tony Nomination for "Inherit the Wind"
Christopher Plummer received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in "Inherit the Wind" in 2007.
2007: Inherit the Wind
Christopher Plummer starred in a revival of "Inherit the Wind" in 2007.
August 2008: Caesar and Cleopatra
In August 2008, Christopher Plummer starred in "Caesar and Cleopatra" at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival.
November 2008: Publication of "In Spite of Myself"
Christopher Plummer's memoir, "In Spite of Myself", was published by Alfred A. Knopf in November 2008.
January 31, 2009: Caesar and Cleopatra Film Release
A filmed version of Christopher Plummer's "Caesar and Cleopatra" was released in Canadian cinemas on January 31, 2009.
February 23, 2009: Caesar and Cleopatra Encore Presentation
An encore presentation of Christopher Plummer's filmed performance in "Caesar and Cleopatra" was shown in Canadian cinemas on February 23, 2009.
2009: Up and 9
Christopher Plummer provided voice performances for the animated film "Up" and the film "9" in 2009.
2009: Academy Award Nomination for "The Last Station"
Christopher Plummer received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "The Last Station" in 2009.
2009: Release of "The Last Station"
Christopher Plummer starred as author Leo Tolstoy in "The Last Station", which was released this year. His performance would later earn him his first Academy Award nomination.
2009: Caesar and Cleopatra and The Tempest Adaptations
In 2009 and 2010, Christopher Plummer starred in film adaptations of "Caesar and Cleopatra" and "The Tempest."
2009: Reflections on "The Sound of Music"
In 2009, Christopher Plummer publicly discussed his complex relationship with "The Sound of Music." While acknowledging the film's quality and enduring appeal, he expressed boredom with the character of Captain Von Trapp. Despite his reservations, he recognized the film's status as a well-made family movie with lasting impact.
January 2010: Academy Award Nomination
In January 2010, Christopher Plummer received his first Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of author Leo Tolstoy in "The Last Station" (2009).
March 7, 2010: Academy Awards Ceremony
On March 7, 2010, Christopher Plummer attended the Academy Awards ceremony. Despite being nominated for his role in "The Last Station" (2009), he lost to Christoph Waltz. He also appeared in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" this year.
October 28, 2010: Appearance on "The Oprah Winfrey Show"
On October 28, 2010, Christopher Plummer joined the cast of "The Sound of Music" for the film's 45th anniversary on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."
2010: The Tempest at Stratford Festival
Christopher Plummer starred in "The Tempest" at the Stratford Festival in 2010.
2011: Appearance in "The Captains"
Christopher Plummer appeared in the feature-length documentary "The Captains" in 2011, which was written and directed by William Shatner.
2011: Release of "Beginners"
Christopher Plummer starred in "Beginners", which was released this year. His performance earned him an Oscar, making him the oldest actor to win an acting Oscar at the time.
2011: Release of "Beginners" and Academy Award Win
Christopher Plummer starred in the independent comedy drama film "Beginners", which was released this year. His performance would earn him his second Academy Award nomination, and he would go on to win, becoming the oldest actor to win an Academy Award at the age of 82.
2011: Academy Award for "Beginners"
Christopher Plummer won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Beginners" in 2011.
2012: A Word or Two
Christopher Plummer starred in the one-man show "A Word or Two" in 2012.
2012: Oldest Actor to Win an Acting Oscar
In 2012, Christopher Plummer, at age 82, became the oldest person to win an acting award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for his role in "Beginners" (2011).
2014: A Word or Two in Los Angeles
Christopher Plummer presented "A Word or Two" at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in 2014.
2015: Starred in "Remember"
Christopher Plummer starred in the Atom Egoyan directed thriller "Remember" alongside Martin Landau and Bruno Ganz in 2015.
2016: Canadian Screen Award for Lifetime Achievement
Christopher Plummer received the Canadian Screen Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2016.
November 2017: Replacement of Kevin Spacey in "All the Money in the World"
In November 2017, Christopher Plummer replaced Kevin Spacey in "All the Money in the World" following misconduct allegations against Spacey. He re-shot all of Spacey's scenes and earned Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Academy Award nominations for his performance.
2017: Portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge
Christopher Plummer played Ebenezer Scrooge in "The Man Who Invented Christmas" in 2017, which is based on Charles Dickens' novella "A Christmas Carol".
2017: Academy Award Nomination for "All the Money in the World"
In 2017, Christopher Plummer was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "All the Money in the World".
2019: Release of "Knives Out"
Christopher Plummer starred in Rian Johnson's "Knives Out", which premiered at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews and was a box office success in 2019. Plummer received critical acclaim for his performance as Harlan Thrombey.
2019: "Knives Out" Release
Christopher Plummer's film "Knives Out" was released in 2019.
2020: Filming "Departure" Season 2
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Christopher Plummer filmed his scenes for season 2 of "Departure" from his home in Connecticut in 2020.
February 5, 2021: Death of Christopher Plummer
On February 5, 2021, Christopher Plummer passed away. His career left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, earning him widespread recognition and accolades.
October 13, 2021: Release of Commemorative Postage Stamp
Canada Post released a postage stamp honoring Christopher Plummer on October 13, 2021.
2021: Anthony Hopkins Surpasses Plummer's Record
Anthony Hopkins, at age 83, became the oldest person to win an acting award from the Academy, a title previously held by Christopher Plummer.
2021: Passing and "King Lear" Cancellation
Christopher Plummer passed away in 2021 before filming began on a planned adaptation of Shakespeare's "King Lear" in which he was set to play the lead role.
2021: Tributes Following Plummer's Passing
Following Christopher Plummer's death in 2021, many colleagues paid tribute, including Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Katherine Langford, Rian Johnson, Chris Evans, Don Johnson, William Shatner, Anne Hathaway, Elijah Wood, Vera Farmiga, Ed Asner, Ridley Scott, Spike Lee, Simon Pegg, Antonio Banderas, Leonard Maltin, Daniel Dae Kim, George Takei, Russell Crowe, Bruce Greenwood and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
