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Watch This Hollywood Bowl Tribute To Christopher Plummer, Who Died Today At 91
Actor Christopher Plummer arrives at the AFI FEST 2009 screening of Sony Pictures Classics' "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" at the Chinese Theater on November 2, 2009 in Los Angeles. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Christopher Plummer wearing his 'Sherlock Holmes' costume during a break in filming 'Murder by Decree' in Clint Street, London, July 29, 1978. (Keystone/Getty Images)
The world could use more love right now and L.A. certainly loved Christopher Plummer.
The Canadian actor died Friday morning at his home in Connecticut. He was 91.
Plummer may be best known for his role in "The Sound of Music" as the widowed Captain von Trapp, a man whose cold heart is melted by Maria, the charming governess who arrives to help take care of his seven children on her way to joining a convent. Spoiler alert: Of couse, she doesn't become a nun, because she falls deeply in love with von Trapp and his children and eventually helps the family escape Nazi Austria. (If you're looking for a good quarantine film, you just found it.)
In 2012, Plummer became the oldest actor to win an Oscar, for his role in Mike Mills’ film "Beginners," where he played an aging father who comes out to his son after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Lou Pitt, Plummer's longtime friend and manager of 46 years, reflected on the actor's legacy in Variety's obituary:
“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. 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."
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Every year (in the Before Times) the Hollywood Bowl put on a "Sound of Music" sing-a-long.
And every year, there was a great moment when Christopher Plummer started to sing "Edelweiss." Everyone would hold up their phones, swaying those little white flashlights in unison. The Bowl was transformed into a sea of love for Plummer and the epic song from maybe the best musical of all time.
KPCC/LAist’s Darby Maloney captured the moment in 2019:
Second spoiler: Plummer didn't really sing the song in the film – it was actually over-dubbed by a man named Bill Lee, as explained in this NPR interview. Nonetheless, the song will forever be a classic...and we can't help but relish in the nostalgia of being at an outdoor venue, in-person, singing together.
RIP Christopher Plummer. You were truly beloved.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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