Remembering the best film roles of Christopher Plummer

Actor Christopher Plummer made movies and played in theaters for decades. His work included many historical roles. Here's a young Plummer in the shoes (or sandals) of Emperor Commodus, in 'The Fall of the Roman Empire' (1964).

Over the time span of his long career, the Canadian actor played many roles in acclaimed films and theater shows. He passed away in February 2021. Let's revisit some of his best-known movies.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss... Some reports say that Christopher Plummer liked nothing at all about this sugary sweet musical, while others claim that he made peace with it at its 50th anniversary. Christopher Plummer played the Austrian Captain Von Trapp, the strict father of seven who falls in love with their governess, played by Julie Andrews.

The film is based on a true story about a large family that fled Austria at the time of its annexation by Nazi Germany. The scene where Von Trapp tears up a Nazi flag has become a meme of movie history.

Another known historical character by Christopher Plummer was Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, in 'Waterloo.' It was a big war movie production that fell short of its expectations at the box office, but still we remember the handsome Plummer in this historic role.

In a real star cast, along with the late Sean Connery and Michael Caine, Plummer delivered another classic period drama in 1975. He gave life to the famous author Rudyard Kipling.

Yes, Captain Von Trapp was a Trekkie too! He appeared as the Klingon General Chang, a man who not only loved to fight but also to recite William Shakespeare. Plummer was praised by Star Trek fans for his interpretation.

Christopher Plummer played with most of the big names in Hollywood history. Or, we might say, many big names got the opportunity to play with him! In this drama about the secrets of the tobacco industry, Russell Crowe and Al Pacino (in the photo) shared the ticket with Plummer.

The actor was Abraham Van Helsing in the famous story about Count Dracula. This version of the tale was directed by Patrick Lussier.

Based on the real story of Professor John Nash, a genius mathematician suffering from schizophrenia, this film was awarded with an Oscar for Best Motion Picture. Christopher Plummer played Nash's psychiatrist Dr. Rosen. (In this photo, he appears with co-star Jennifer Connelly.)

Another star appearance alongside Jodie Foster, the actor gave life to a bank director who did anything to guard certain valuables from a band of robbers. The movie, directed by Spike Lee, got very good reviews and is considered one of the best Christopher Plummer played in.

Here, the actor got to play another important historical figure. This time he portrayed the last months in the life of Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Helen Mirren played his wife Sonya. Both were nominated for SAG and Academy Awards.

This acclaimed fantasy film, directed by Terry Gilliam, depicts a group of travelling theater actors who make a pact with the devil. Christopher Plummer, as Doctor Parnassus, co-starred with the late Heath Ledger. When the young actor suddenly passed away in the middle of the shoot, he was replaced by Johnny Depp.

By the time 'Beginners' came out, Christopher Plummer was already 82 years old. He played Hal Fields, a man who comes out as gay at age 75.

It was this phenomenal performance that got Christopher Plummer his first and only Oscar, as well as a Golden Globe, SAG, and BAFTA award for Best Supporting Actor. With the age of 82 he set a record of being the oldest actor to win an Oscar.

Despite having long passed the regular retirement age, Christopher Plummer remained active throughout the 2010s. This blockbuster based on the Swedish book of the same title saw the veteran actor as a wealthy Nordic businessman, Henrik Vanger. In this photo we see him with co-star Stellan Skarsgard.

Plummer played J. Paul Getty in this crime thriller about the infamous American tycoon, directed by Ridley Scott. The role was originally for Kevin Spacey, but when he left the shoot amidst allegations of abuse, many scenes had to be done over with Plummer in Getty's shoes. He did so well, that he got an Oscar nomination for it.

This excellent whodunnit on Netflix was Christopher Plummer's last major film. And what a way to top off your career! The actor plays a wealthy author whose death presents a great mystery and whose children and in-laws are all suspects.