---
name: "Christopher Plummer"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/christopher-plummer"
fi1m_id: "christopher-plummer"
imdb_id: "nm0001626"
tmdb_id: 290
wikidata_id: "Q190523"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 December 1929"
died: "5 February 2021"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 16
updated: "2026-10-09T19:29:46.708041+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Christopher Plummer

## Identity

Christopher Plummer

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/christopher-plummer
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** christopher-plummer
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001626
- **TMDB ID:** 290
- **Wikidata ID:** Q190523
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Plummer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190523, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001626/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/290

Actor. Born 13 December 1929 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Died 5 February 2021.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 December 1929, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- **Died:** 5 February 2021
- **Active:** 1965–2019
- **Also known as:** Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer
- **Frequently works with:** [Daniel Craig](https://film.one/person/daniel-craig.md), [Russell Crowe](https://film.one/person/russell-crowe.md), [Terry Gilliam](https://film.one/person/terry-gilliam.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 2 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 16 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 86 (1), 1980s 63 (2), 1990s 76 (4), 2000s 68 (5), 2010s 74 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 68 across 15 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 4 of 16 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Thriller 6, Adventure 5, Comedy 5, Mystery 5, Crime 4
- **Screen time:** 34 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,069m across 16 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Plummer, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q190523, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001626/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/290

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Knives Out*](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md) (81), [*The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus*](https://film.one/film/the-imaginarium-of-doctor-parnassus.md) (65), [*All the Money in the World*](https://film.one/film/all-the-money-in-the-world.md) (63)
- **Netflix:** [*Beginners*](https://film.one/film/beginners.md) (79), [*The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo*](https://film.one/film/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.md) (74), [*Dragnet*](https://film.one/film/dragnet.md) (55)
- **Disney+:** [*Up*](https://film.one/film/up.md) (88), [*The Sound of Music*](https://film.one/film/the-sound-of-music.md) (86)
- **Apple TV:** [*Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country.md) (74), [*A Beautiful Mind*](https://film.one/film/a-beautiful-mind.md) (62)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Syriana*](https://film.one/film/syriana.md) (72)
- **Tubi:** [*Wolf*](https://film.one/film/wolf.md) (60)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Christopher Plummer

> Christopher Plummer's precise speech gave patriarchs and professionals an authority few needed to explain. We value him most when a film troubles that assurance, as Michael Mann's *The Insider* does.

In *The Insider* (1999), Christopher Plummer's Mike Wallace has the guarded authority of a man who expects to be heard. His sonorous voice and exact diction suit the part, but the reserve is what makes it interesting. He gives us reasons to watch Wallace carefully rather than simply accept his standing. We found him quietly unsettling, because Wallace's guarded manner makes it hard to take his impressive authority on trust. This is the Plummer we value: a formidable supporting actor who can make a public figure seem difficult to know.

International recognition came with Captain Georg von Trapp in *The Sound of Music* (1965), a role that helped define his public image. The stage work continued alongside the screen parts through the following decades. His classical theatre experience informed the precise speech, which could establish a character's standing quickly and made him a natural choice for patriarchs and intellectuals. The risk with such casting is that a film may consider the voice sufficient and give the actor little else to do.

In Terry Gilliam's *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), he plays Dr. Goines, a virologist and father, another role suited to that cultivated authority. We recommend the film, though Bruce Willis supplies its painful human centre, and this is not where we would begin with Plummer. Gilliam's restless images and an overextended script sometimes make following it harder than necessary. It is worth the effort, provided the time-travel complications are part of the attraction.

Mann gives Plummer more substantial work in *The Insider*, where three actors make a professional dispute matter through what it costs each man. Russell Crowe gives the personal risks weight, while Pacino lets doubts complicate Bergman's determination. Plummer's sharper reserve belongs alongside them, giving the television side of the story its own tensions without making Wallace easy company. The film occasionally labours a point already understood, but these performances keep us interested in the people arguing it.

He was less well served in *The New World* (2005), a useful warning against choosing a film on the strength of his presence alone. The later supporting work brought renewed attention, with the understated Hal in *Beginners* (2010) particularly well suited to his gifts. For a first encounter, we would choose *The Insider*.

## Biography

Christopher Plummer was a Canadian actor who worked in theatre, film and television. Born in Toronto on 13 December 1929, he made his film debut in *Stage Struck* (1958).

He is known for his role as Captain Georg von Trapp in *The Sound of Music* (1965). Other film appearances include *Twelve Monkeys* (1995) as Dr. Goines, *A Beautiful Mind* (2001) as Dr. Rosen, the voice of Charles Muntz in *Up* (2009), and Harlan Thrombey in *Knives Out* (2019).

Plummer won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for *Beginners* (2010), becoming the oldest person to receive the award at the age of 82. He died at his home in Weston, Connecticut, on 5 February 2021, aged 91.

*Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, moviefone.com.*

## On Fi1m (16)

- *Knives Out* (2019), Fi1m 81, as Harlan Thrombey — [page](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md)
- *All the Money in the World* (2017), Fi1m 63, as Jean Paul Getty — [page](https://film.one/film/all-the-money-in-the-world.md)
- *Beginners* (2011), Fi1m 79, as Hal Fields — [page](https://film.one/film/beginners.md)
- *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* (2011), Fi1m 74, as Henrik Vanger — [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.md)
- *The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus* (2009), Fi1m 65, as Doctor Parnassus — [page](https://film.one/film/the-imaginarium-of-doctor-parnassus.md)
- *Up* (2009), Fi1m 88, as Charles Muntz (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/up.md)
- *Syriana* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Dean Whiting — [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *National Treasure* (2004), Fi1m 52, as John Adams Gates — [page](https://film.one/film/national-treasure.md)
- *A Beautiful Mind* (2001), Fi1m 62, as Dr. Rosen — [page](https://film.one/film/a-beautiful-mind.md)
- *The Insider* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Mike Wallace — [page](https://film.one/film/the-insider.md)
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Dr. Goines — [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)
- *Wolf* (1994), Fi1m 60, as Raymond Alden — [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country* (1991), Fi1m 74, as Chang — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country.md)
- *Dragnet* (1987), Fi1m 55, as Reverend Jonathan Whirley — [page](https://film.one/film/dragnet.md)
- *An American Tail* (1986), Fi1m 71, as Henri (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-tail.md)
- *The Sound of Music* (1965), Fi1m 86, as Captain Georg von Trapp — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sound-of-music.md)

## Complete filmography (207)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Heroes of the Golden Mask* (2023), as Rizzo (voice)
- *Mooseltoe* (2021), as Mooseking
- *Kalahari: The Flooded Desert* (2021), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Last Full Measure* (2020), as Frank Pitsenbarger
- *Knives Out* (2019), as Harlan Thrombey — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/knives-out.md)
- *Departure* (2019), series, as Howard Lawson
- *Cliffs of Freedom* (2019), as Thanasi
- *Howard Lovecraft & The Kingdom Of Madness* (2018), as Dr. Jeffrey West (voice)
- *Boundaries* (2018), as Jack
- *All the Money in the World* (2017), as Jean Paul Getty — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/all-the-money-in-the-world.md)
- *The Star* (2017), as King Herod (voice)
- *The Man Who Invented Christmas* (2017), as Scrooge
- *Howard Lovecraft & the Undersea Kingdom* (2017), as Dr. West (voice)
- *The Exception* (2017), as Kaiser Wilhelm II
- *Howard Lovecraft & the Frozen Kingdom* (2016), as Dr. West (voice)
- *Remember* (2015), as Zev Guttman
- *Pixies* (2015), as Pixie King (voice)
- *Danny Collins* (2015), as Frank Grubman
- *The Forger* (2014), as Joseph Cutter
- *Hector and the Search for Happiness* (2014), as Professor Coreman
- *Elsa & Fred* (2014), as Fred
- *Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight* (2013), as John Marshall Harlan
- *The Legend of Sarila* (2013), as Croolik (voice)
- *Titans of the Ice Age* (2013), as Narrator
- *Kali, the Little Vampire* (2012), as Narrator (english version)
- *Barrymore* (2012), as John Barrymore · Executive Producer
- *Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen* (2012), as (archive footage)
- *The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo* (2011), as Henrik Vanger — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-girl-with-the-dragon-tattoo.md)
- *Beginners* (2011), as Hal Fields — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/beginners.md)
- *Priest* (2011), as Monsignor Orelas
- *A Short Film About Making Beginners* (2011), Actor
- *The Tempest* (2010), as Prospero
- *My Dog Tulip* (2010), as J.R. Ackerley (voice)
- *The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus* (2009), as Doctor Parnassus — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/film/the-imaginarium-of-doctor-parnassus.md)
- *The Last Station* (2009), as Leo Tolstoy
- *9* (2009), as #1 (voice)
- *Up* (2009), as Charles Muntz (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/up.md)
- *Caesar and Cleopatra* (2009), as Caesar
- *The Summit* (2008), series, as P.J. Aimes
- *Emotional Arithmetic* (2008), as David Winters
- *Already Dead* (2007), as Dr. Heller
- *Closing the Ring* (2007), as Jack
- *Man in the Chair* (2007), as Flash Madden
- *Nuremberg: The Nazis Facing their Crimes* (2006), as Narrator (voice over)
- *The Lake House* (2006), as Simon Wyler
- *Inside Man* (2006), as Arthur Case
- *The New World* (2005), as Captain Newport
- *Syriana* (2005), as Dean Whiting — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *Four Minutes* (2005), as Archie Mason
- *Must Love Dogs* (2005), as Bill
- *Our Fathers* (2005), as Cardinal Bernard Law
- *Alexander* (2004), as Aristotle
- *National Treasure* (2004), as John Adams Gates — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/national-treasure.md)
- *Cold Creek Manor* (2003), as Mr. Massie
- *The Gospel of John* (2003), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Life of Jesus* (2003), as Narrator
- *Blizzard* (2003), as Santa Claus
- *Nicholas Nickleby* (2002), as Ralph Nickleby
- *Agent of Influence* (2002), as John Watkins
- *Ararat* (2002), as David
- *Night Flight* (2002), as 'Flash' Harry Peters
- *A Beautiful Mind* (2001), as Dr. Rosen — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/a-beautiful-mind.md)
- *Lucky Break* (2001), as Graham Mortimer
- *Full Disclosure* (2001), as Robert Lecker
- *On Golden Pond* (2001), as Norman Thayer
- *Dracula 2000* (2000), as Matthew Van Helsing
- *American Tragedy* (2000), as F. Lee Bailey
- *Possessed* (2000), as Archbishop Hume
- *The Dinosaur Hunter* (2000), as Hump Hinton
- *Nuremberg* (2000), series, as Sir David Maxwell Fyfe
- *Hidden Agenda* (1999), as Ulrich Steiner
- *The Insider* (1999), as Mike Wallace — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/the-insider.md)
- *Madeline: Lost in Paris* (1999), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Clown at Midnight* (1999), as Mr. Caruthers
- *Winchell* (1998), as Franklin D. Roosevelt
- *Blackheart* (1998), as Holmes
- *The First Christmas* (1998), as Narrator (voice)
- *Babes in Toyland* (1997), as Barnaby Crookedman (voice)
- *Skeletons* (1997), as Reverend Carlyle
- *The Arrow* (1997), as George Hees
- *The Arrow* (1997), series, as George Hees
- *We the Jury* (1996), as Wilfred Fransiscus
- *The Conspiracy of Fear* (1996), as Wakeman
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), as Dr. Goines — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)
- *Harrison Bergeron* (1995), as John Klaxon
- *Dolores Claiborne* (1995), as John Mackey
- *Crackerjack* (1994), as Ivan Getz
- *Wolf* (1994), as Raymond Alden — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/wolf.md)
- *A Stranger in the Mirror* (1993), as Clifton Lawrence
- *Ben-Hur: The Making of an Epic* (1993), as Narrator
- *Malcolm X* (1992), as Chaplain Gill — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/malcolm-x.md)
- *Impolite* (1992), as Naples O'Rorke
- *Secrets* (1992), as Mel Wexler
- *The First Circle* (1992), as Viktor Abakumov
- *Liar's Edge* (1992), as Harry Weldon
- *Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country* (1991), as Chang — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-vi-the-undiscovered-country.md)
- *Madeline in London* (1991), as Narrator (voice)
- *Madeline and the Gypsies* (1991), as Narrator (voice)
- *Rock-A-Doodle* (1991), as Grand Duke (voice)
- *Money* (1991), as Martin Yahl
- *Madeline and the Bad Hat* (1991), as Narrator (voice)
- *Young Catherine* (1991), series, as Sir Charles
- *Firehead* (1991), as Col. Garland Vaughn
- *Berlin Lady* (1991), series, as Wilhelm Speer
- *The Little Crooked Christmas Tree* (1990), as Narrator
- *Madeline's Christmas* (1990), as Narrator (voice)
- *Red Blooded American Girl* (1990), as Dr. John Alcore
- *Counterstrike* (1990), series, as Alexander Addington
- *A Ghost in Monte Carlo* (1990), as The Grand Duke Ivan
- *Where the Heart Is* (1990), as Shitty
- *Mindfield* (1989), as Doctor Satorius
- *Nabokov on Kafka* (1989), as Vladimir Nabokov
- *Souvenir* (1989), as Ernst Kestner
- *Shadow Dancing* (1988), as Edmund Beaumont
- *Madeline* (1988), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Madeline* (1988), as Narrator (voice)
- *American Experience* (1988), series, as Narrator
- *The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind* (1988), as Narrator (voice)
- *Nosferatu in Venice* (1988), as Professor Paris Catalano
- *A Hazard of Hearts* (1987), as Sir Giles Staverley
- *Dragnet* (1987), as Reverend Jonathan Whirley — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/dragnet.md)
- *I Love N.Y.* (1987), as John Robertson Yeats
- *Portraits of Canada* (1987), as Narrator (voice)
- *The Nightingale* (1987), as Narrator (voice)
- *An American Tail* (1986), as Henri (voice) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-tail.md)
- *Spearfield's Daughter* (1986), as Lord Jack Cruze
- *Crossings* (1986), series, as Armand DeVilliers
- *The Boy in Blue* (1986), as Knox
- *The Boss' Wife* (1986), as Mr. Roalvang
- *The Tin Soldier* (1986), as Narrator (voice)
- *Rumpelstiltskin* (1985), as Narrator
- *The Velveteen Rabbit* (1985), as Narrator (voice)
- *Lily in Love* (1984), as Fitzroy Wynn / Roberto Terranova
- *The Cosby Show* (1984), series, as Jonathan Lawrence
- *Highpoint* (1984), as James Hatcher
- *Dreamscape* (1984), as Bob Blair
- *Ordeal by Innocence* (1984), as Leo Argyle
- *Prototype* (1983), as Dr. Carl Forrester
- *SuperTed* (1983), series, Actor
- *The Thorn Birds* (1983), series, as Archbishop Vittorio Contini-Verchese
- *The Scarlet and the Black* (1983), as Col. Herbert Kappler
- *Little Gloria... Happy at Last* (1982), series, as Reggie Vanderbilt
- *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady* (1982), Actor
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Alfred Stieglitz
- *The Amateur* (1981), as Professor Lakos
- *Dial M for Murder* (1981), as Tony Wendice
- *Eyewitness* (1981), as Joseph
- *When the Circus Came to Town* (1981), as Duke Royal
- *Desperate Voyage* (1980), as Jacques Burrifous
- *Somewhere in Time* (1980), as William Fawcett 'W.F.' Robinson
- *The Shadow Box* (1980), as Brian
- *Arthur Miller on Home Ground* (1979), Actor
- *Hanover Street* (1979), as Paul Sellinger
- *Riel* (1979), as Prime Minister John A. Macdonald
- *Murder by Decree* (1979), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Starcrash* (1978), as The Emperor
- *The Silent Partner* (1978), as Reikle
- *International Velvet* (1978), as John Seaton
- *The Disappearance* (1977), as Deverell
- *The Assignment* (1977), as Kaptain Behounek
- *The Sunday Drama* (1977), series, as Sherlock Holmes
- *Jesus of Nazareth* (1977), series, as Herod Antipas
- *Silver Blaze* (1977), as Sherlock Holmes
- *Arthur Hailey's The Moneychangers* (1976), series, as Roscoe Heyward
- *Aces High* (1976), as Capt. 'Uncle' Sinclair
- *The Man Who Would Be King* (1975), as Rudyard Kipling
- *The Day That Shook the World* (1975), as Archduke Ferdinand
- *Conduct Unbecoming* (1975), as Major Alastair Wimbourne
- *The Return of the Pink Panther* (1975), as Sir Charles Litton
- *The Spiral Staircase* (1975), as Dr. Joe Sherman
- *After the Fall* (1974), as Quentin
- *The Happy Prince* (1974), as The Happy Prince (voice)
- *The Pyx* (1973), as Dt. Sgt. Jim Henderson
- *Waterloo* (1970), as Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
- *The Royal Hunt of the Sun* (1969), as Atahualpa
- *Battle of Britain* (1969), as Squadron Leader Colin Harvey
- *Lock Up Your Daughters* (1969), as Lord Foppington
- *Nobody Runs Forever* (1968), as Sir James Quentin
- *Oedipus the King* (1968), as Oedipus
- *Omnibus* (1967), series, as Narrator
- *The Night of the Generals* (1967), as Field Marshal Rommel
- *Triple Cross* (1966), as Freddie Chapman
- *Inside Daisy Clover* (1966), as Raymond Swan
- *BBC Play of the Month* (1965), series, as Don Juan
- *The Sound of Music* (1965), as Captain Georg von Trapp — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sound-of-music.md)
- *An Essay on Death: A Memorial to John F. Kennedy* (1964), as Narrator (voice)
- *Hamlet at Elsinore* (1964), as Hamlet
- *The Fall of the Roman Empire* (1964), as Commodus
- *Trans-Canada Journey* (1963), as Narrator (voice)
- *Cyrano De Bergerac* (1962), as Cyrano de Bergerac
- *Captain Brassbound's Conversion* (1960), as Captain Brassbound
- *A Doll's House* (1959), as Torvald
- *NBC Sunday Showcase* (1959), series, Actor
- *Johnny Belinda* (1958), as Dr. Jack Pelletier
- *Wind Across the Everglades* (1958), as Walt Murdock
- *Stage Struck* (1958), as Joe Sheridan
- *Little Moon of Alban* (1958), as Kenneth Boyd
- *DuPont Show of the Month* (1957), series, as Sir Miles Hendon
- *Kraft Television Theatre* (1953), series, Actor
- *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Walter Shelley
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Dr. Jack Pelletier, Torvald Helmer, Captain Brassbound, Prince Albert, Cyrano de Bergerac
- *Suspense* (1949), series, Actor
- *Studio One* (1948), series, as Dick
- *Ted Allan: Minstrel Boy of the 20th Century*, as Narrator (voice)
- *Madeline at the Ballet*, as Narrator (voice)
- *Nuremberg*, as Sir David Maxwell-Fyfe

## Gallery

- ![Christopher Plummer](https://film.one/media/person/86121/gallery-54e4fc2d3899.jpg) Christopher Plummer — Image via TMDB
- ![Christopher Plummer](https://film.one/media/person/86121/gallery-33cf24bb07ea.jpg) Christopher Plummer — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 2 nominated

- 2018: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *All the Money in the World*
- 2012: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Beginners*
- 2010: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *The Last Station*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1977: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *The Moneychangers*

### Other awards — 7 won, 5 nominated

- John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement 2014: John Willis Award for Lifetime Achievement (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2007: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 2004: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Governor General's Performing Arts Award 2001: Governor General's Performing Arts Award (won)
- Canada's Walk of Fame 1998: Canada's Walk of Fame (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1997: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1994: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1982: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1974: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (won)
- Companion of the Order of Canada 1968: Companion of the Order of Canada (won)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1959: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Theatre World Award 1955: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/christopher-plummer