Everything We Know About Christopher Plummer's Death

Canadian actor Christopher Plummer died on Feb. 5, 2021 at 91. Best known for his role as Captain Von Trapp in the iconic film The Sound of Music and for his Oscar-winning turn as Hal in Beginners, Plummer had a successful career in Hollywood up until his death. For almost 70 years, he appeared in a variety of prominent projects, winning not just an Oscar, but two Emmys, a Golden Globe, a SAG Award, a BAFTA Award, and a few Tonys along the way. 

Despite his age, Plummer remained in the spotlight doing what he does best: acting and performing. His 2012 Oscar win nabbed him the honor of "the oldest actor ever to win the Academy Award for supporting actor," as per Variety. One of his final films was the 2019 mystery-comedy Knives Out, and his last role was the voice of Rizzo in Heroes of the Golden Masks, which IMDb reports is still filming as of February 2021. Plummer's passing comes as a shock to everyone — he truly was a young soul at heart. 

In a 2012 interview with NPR, he opened up about working when he was well into his 80s. "You never stop learning how to act, both on screen and on the stage." He added: "I feel like I'm starting all over again. Every sort of decade I feel this, and that's very satisfying." 

Here's what we know about the supposed cause of Plummer's death and who was by his side at the very end. 

On Feb. 5, 2021, Christopher Plummer's family announced that he had died. Deadline was one of the first to break the story, noting that Plummer "died peacefully today at his home in Connecticut." The outlet went on to state that "Elaine Taylor, [Plummer's] wife and true best friend for 53 years, was by his side."

According to The New York Times, Taylor "said the cause [of death] was a blow to the head as a result of a fall." It was unclear if the fall had occurred the same day.

Following the news of Plummer's death, his longtime manager and friend Lou Pitt made a statement. "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," Pitt said, according to Deadline. " ... 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 was born on Dec. 13, 1929 in Toronto, Canada, and will be missed by many in the entertainment world — and beyond.