Christopher Plummer dies

Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music

Canadian Oscar winner Christopher Plummer has died at the age of 91. The news about the star, who became known to generations thanks to playing Captain Von Trapp in The Sound Of Music , was confirmed by his family, who said he died peacefully at home in Connecticut.

Christopher Plummer with Ewan McGregor in The Beginners Photo: Focus Features

In a career stretching across more than 70 years, he became the oldest person to win an Oscar, when he took home the Best Supporting Actor statuette for Beginners in 2012, aged 82. He was nominated for the category on two other occasions - for The Last Station in 2010 and for All The Money In The World in 2018, when he was a last-minute replacement for Kevin Spacey after the younger star faced accusations of sexual misconduct.

He also won a BAFTA for his work on Beginners, received two Tonys for his theatre work and was nominated for Emmys multiple times, winning twice. He most recently appeared in cinemas in Ryan Johnson's murder mystery Knives Out.

His diverse back catalogue of films also included Twelve Monkeys, The Insider, A Beautiful Mind, The Man Who Would Be King and Syriana. He also provided voice work for Up and An American Tale.

His friend and manager of 46 years Lou Pitt said: “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.”

Plummer is survived by his third wife Elaine Taylor and his daughter Amanda, from his first marriage to Tammy Grimes.