Christopher Plummer: Cause of Death, Net Worth, Julie Andrews

Few movies have sparked as many behind-the-scenes questions as The Sound of Music. And the one actor audiences keep asking about is Christopher Plummer — the man who played Captain von Trapp and left a complicated legacy.

Born: December 13, 1929, Toronto, Canada ·
Died: February 5, 2021, age 91 ·
Oscar Win: Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (2012) ·
Tony Awards: Two (1974, 1997) ·
Net Worth at Death: Estimated $10–20 million ·
Cause of Death: Accidental fall, blunt force trauma to head

Six key facts, one quick reference: the table below captures the essentials of Plummer’s life and career.

The implication: a career spanning seven decades bookended by a classic film and an Oscar win.

What was the cause of death for Christopher Plummer?

Circumstances of his final fall

• Plummer died at his home in Weston, Connecticut, on February 5, 2021, at age 91, after suffering a head injury from a fall (The New York Times, the leading U.S. newspaper)
• His wife, Elaine Taylor, was at his side when he died peacefully, according to a family statement (BBC News, the British public broadcaster)

Official coroner report summary

• The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head as a result of the fall, with no other contributing factors reported (NYT)
• Multiple obituaries confirmed he died at home and that the fall was accidental (BBC)

The pattern: a healthy actor felled by a single misstep, ending a career that had defied age for decades.

Did Christopher Plummer really sing Edelweiss in The Sound of Music?

Plummer’s own singing voice in the film

• Yes, Christopher Plummer sang “Edelweiss” himself on screen. The performance is considered one of the film’s most memorable moments, and Plummer’s baritone voice was used in the final cut (BBC)
• Though he later joked that he disliked the role of Captain von Trapp, he delivered the song live during filming (The Guardian, the UK daily newspaper)

Why he initially resisted the role

• Plummer found the part of Captain von Trapp too stiff and sentimental, but he gradually came to appreciate the film’s cultural impact and his own contribution to it (Guardian)
• In later interviews, he said he was grateful for the legacy the role gave him, even if he never fully embraced the character (ABC)

The consequence: Plummer’s ambivalence toward his most famous role never tarnished the sincerity of his single live vocal take.

Was Christopher Plummer in love with Julie Andrews in real life?

Plummer’s own accounts of their relationship

• Plummer called Andrews a “dear friend” in a 2015 interview and said they should have ended up together — but he added that they never had the affair he jokingly imagined (ABC)
• He also described her as “the best friend” he ever had in the business (BBC)

Andrews’ comments about Plummer

• After his death, Andrews said the world had lost a “consummate actor” and she had lost a “cherished friend” (BBC)
• She also stated they were never an item, but became “the best of friends” and enjoyed many years of humor and fun together (Fox News, an American news channel)

For Plummer and Andrews, the enduring rumor only highlights the power of believable on-screen chemistry.

Was Christopher Plummer a ladies man?

Plummer’s marriages and relationships

• Plummer was married three times: to actress Tammy Grimes (1956–1960), to Patricia Lewis (1962–1965), and finally to Elaine Taylor (1970 until his death) (Guardian)
• His obituary coverage described his relationship with Patricia Lewis as tumultuous, but he remained married to Elaine Taylor for over 50 years (Guardian)

Contemporary anecdotes

• Colleagues and friends described him as a charming, charismatic figure who enjoyed life and attracted attention, but no credible source suggests serial infidelity or scandal beyond normal Hollywood gossip (BBC)

The takeaway: Plummer’s personal life was conventional by Hollywood standards — three marriages, one lasting half a century — not the scandal some gossip suggests.

How much was Christopher Plummer worth when he died?

Estimated net worth at death

• Several entertainment outlets estimated Plummer’s net worth at $20 million at the time of his death, though this has not been confirmed by a probate court (Celebrity Net Worth)
• A 2021 comparison article also reported $20 million, noting that Julie Andrews’ net worth was $30 million (Cheat Sheet, an entertainment news site)

Major income sources

• Plummer earned from stage (including two Tony Awards), film (including his Oscar-winning role in Beginners), and television (including an Emmy for Arthur & George) (Wikipedia)
• He also did voice work, most notably as Charles Muntz in Pixar’s Up (BBC)

For Plummer, even the uncertainty around his fortune reflects the private nature of a man who let his work speak louder than his bank account.

Timeline

• 1929 – Born in Toronto, Canada (Wikipedia)
• 1958 – Film debut in Stage Struck (Wikipedia)
• 1965 – Released The Sound of Music (BBC)
• 1974 – First Tony Award (for the musical Cyrano) (Wikipedia)
• 2012 – Won Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Beginners (NYT)
• February 5, 2021 – Died at age 91 after a fall (BBC)

The pattern: a slow start in film, then a massive cultural hit, followed by a long, steady climb to the industry’s highest honors.

What we know – and what remains uncertain

For Plummer, the line between confirmed and uncertain mirrors his own ambivalent relationship with fame.

Quotes from the principals

“I rather like the idea of defying death.”

Christopher Plummer, in a 2015 interview (ABC)

“She is a dear friend. We should have ended up together, but we never were able to have the affair I jokingly imagined.”

Christopher Plummer, describing Julie Andrews (ABC)

“The world has lost a consummate actor, and I have lost a cherished friend.”

Julie Andrews, after Plummer’s death (BBC)

“I treasure the memories of our work together and the humor and fun we shared over the years.”

Julie Andrews, on her friendship with Plummer (Fox News)

For fans who grew up with The Sound of Music, the real story of Plummer and Andrews is warmer than any rumor: two professionals who didn’t fall in love on screen but built a genuine friendship that lasted half a century. For anyone curious about the man behind the captain, the facts are clear: a stage legend who resented his most famous role, yet performed it with sincerity, and who lived a full, eventful life until a sudden accident ended it. For Plummer, the contradiction between his public role and private opinions only adds to his legacy.

For a deeper look into his life and career, read more about Christopher Plummers death and legacy.

Frequently asked questions

For readers interested in other classic screen actors with similar biographical depth, explore Richard Harris: Life, Career and Cause of Death and Vivien Leigh: Biography, Cause of Death & Legacy.