The 8 Greatest Performances of Christopher Plummer's Career
In honor of the one year anniversary of actor Christopher Plummer's death, we look back at the greatest performances of his career, from 'The Sound of Music' to 'Knives Out.'
Christopher Plummer accepting the Best Supporting Actor Oscar at the Academy Awards for 'Beginners'
This week marks one year since we lost legendary film actor Christopher Plummer. Best known to several generations as Georg von Trapp in 'The Sound of Music,' Plummer's acting career spanned over 70 years before the actor died last year at the age of 91.
The actor has appeared in countless movies including 'The Man Who Would Be King,' 'Dragnet,' 'Malcolm X,' 'Twelve Monkeys,' 'A Beautiful Mind,' 'Syriana,' 'Up,' 'The Last Station,' 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' and 2010's 'Beginners,' for which he won Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards.
With the anniversary of the late actor's passing upon us, let's look back at eight of the greatest performances of Christopher Plummer's long and acclaimed career.
The Sound of Music
Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in 'The Sound of Music'
The film is set in the years before the Second World War and follows Maria (Julie Andrews), a tomboyish postulant at an Austrian abbey who becomes a governess in the home of a widowed naval captain (Plummer) with seven children. Before too long, Maria reintroduces the love of life and music into their home.
This is the role that made Plummer a household name, and the music from the movie is still iconic to this day. However, the actor technically doesn't sing in the film, as his voice was dubbed over by musician Bill Lee.
The Sound of Music
The Return of the Pink Panther
(L to R) Herbert Lom, Christopher Plummer, Peter Sellers, and Catherine Schell in 'The Return of the Pink Panther'
The forth in the series, and widely considered the best, 'The Return of the Pink Panther' features star Peter Sellers also returning to the role after an absence. The famous Pink Panther jewel has once again been stolen and Inspector Clouseau is called in to catch the thief, who he is convinced is his old rival, the Phantom. Plummer plays Sir Charles Litton, also known as the Phantom, a role previously played by David Niven in the other films.
The Return of the Pink Panther
Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country
Christopher Plummer in 'Star Trek VI: The Undiscoverd Country'
Plummer was no stranger to genre movies, having starred in 'Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country' opposite original cast members William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy.
The film's plot serves as an allegory for the Cold War, with the Federation and the Klingon empire on the verge of peace, when an unexpected attack puts everything in jeopardy. Plummer plays Chang, a one-eyed Klingon general, and is widely considered (right behind Ricardo Montalban) as one of the best villains ever to appear in a Star Trek movie.
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
The Insider
(L to R) Christopher Plummer and Al Pacino in 'The Insider'
In this 1999 movie from director Michael Mann ('Heat'), Plummer co-stars with Russell Crowe and Al Pacino as '60 Minutes' host, Mike Wallace. The movie tells the true story of the CBS news series' exposé of the tobacco industry, as seen through the eyes of whistleblower, Jeffrey Wigand (Crowe). The movie went on to earn seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
The Insider
Inside Man
(L to R) Denzel Washington and Christopher Plummer in 'Inside Man'
One of director Spike Lee's best movies, 'Inside Man' follows Denzel Washington as Detective Kieth Frazier, who must negotiate with a bank robber (Clive Owen) that has taken hostages at a Manhattan bank.
But no one is who they seem, including the Mayor's mysterious friend (Jodie Foster), who is a little too eager to help Detective Frazier with the situation. Or the bank's shady owner played by Plummer, who is keeping some deep, dark secrets of his own.
Inside Man
Beginners
(L to R) Christopher Plummer and Ewan McGregor in 'Beginners'
Directed by Mike Mills, this is the film that finally earned Plummer his long overdue Academy Award. He won Best Supporting Actor for playing Hal, a man that comes out of the closet at the age of 75 after his wife's death. Ewan McGregor plays his son, and the film is told from his point of view in flashbacks, after Hal's death.
All the Money in the World
(L to R) Christopher Plummer and Mark Wahlberg in 'All the Money in the World'
While it did earn Plummer his third and final Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, 'All the Money in the World' is infamous for how and why Plummer received the role. The movie follows the story of the real life kidnapping of 16-year-old John Paul Getty III, the grandson of billionaire Jean Paul Getty, who refuses to pay the ransom.
The role of John Paul Getty was originally played by Kevin Spacey. When his scandal broke, just months before the release of the film, director Ridley Scott decided to recast the part with Plummer and reshoot a large amount of the movie.
All the Money in the World
Knives Out
Christopher Plummer in 'Knives Out'
One of Christopher Plummer's final film roles was in director Rian Johnson's extremely successful mystery-comedy, 'Knives Out.' The movie tells the story of renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Plummer), who is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday.
Enter the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), who is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. Blanc begins questioning Harlan's dysfunctional family, and with the help of Harlan's nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas), who has a physical condition that will not allow her to tell a lie, he eventually discovers the true murderer.
