Christopher Plummer Quotes

Powerful Christopher Plummer for Daily Growth

About Christopher Plummer

Christopher Plummer, the esteemed Canadian actor, was born Arthur Richard Plummer on December 13, 1929, in Toronto, Ontario. Known for his versatile acting skills and deep, resonant voice, he has left an indelible mark on the film industry. Plummer's interest in acting was ignited at a young age when he saw Laurence Olivier perform in Henry V. Inspired, Plummer enrolled at Victoria College, University of Toronto, where he majored in English and Drama. His professional acting career began on stage in the 1950s, with notable performances in Shakespearean plays and musicals. In 1962, Plummer made his film debut in the adaptation of Thornton Wilder's play "The Spreading Moon." However, it was his role as Captain von Trapp in the 1965 film "The Sound of Music" that catapulted him to international stardom. Despite initial reservations about playing a part traditionally associated with tenors, Plummer's performance earned critical acclaim and solidified his status as a leading man. Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Plummer continued to grace stages and screens in various roles, demonstrating his versatility as an actor. He won Tony Awards for his roles in "Cyrano" (1973) and "Barrymore" (1996). In 2010, at the age of 81, Plummer achieved another career milestone when he was cast as J. Paul Getty in "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo." His performance earned him an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, making him the oldest actor to win in that category. Christopher Plummer's influence extends beyond his performances, inspiring generations of actors with his passion for the craft and commitment to excellence. His contributions to theatre and cinema continue to be celebrated worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The older I get, the more I regret the things I didn't do."

This quote expresses a common sentiment of looking back on life with a sense of missed opportunities or unexplored paths. As we age, we often reflect on our past decisions, actions, and experiences, and may realize that there are things we wish we had tried or experienced. It's a reminder to seize the day and embrace new experiences, as the fear of the unknown or regret of missed chances can be more distressing than taking risks or stepping out of one's comfort zone.


"I think acting is a very individual thing; it's not for everyone. You have to be able to live with yourself and not take yourself too seriously."

This quote by Christopher Plummer emphasizes that acting, like many creative pursuits, requires a unique blend of self-awareness, introspection, and humility. It suggests that one must possess the ability to delve deeply into one's own psyche (live with oneself) while maintaining a healthy sense of perspective (not taking oneself too seriously). This balance allows an actor to perform authentically and convincingly on stage or screen, while also remaining grounded in reality. Furthermore, Plummer implies that acting might not be for everyone, as it demands a certain level of emotional resilience and self-discipline.


"I always try to create something, rather than just re-create what somebody else has done."

This quote signifies that Christopher Plummer values originality over imitation in his craft. He aspires not only to reproduce existing works but to innovate, creating unique and distinctive performances that set him apart from others. By doing so, he not only enriches the art of acting but also contributes to its evolution.


"The greatest pleasure of acting is not being oneself."

This quote suggests that for actors, the greatest joy lies in escaping their own identity to immerse themselves in different characters, stories, and worlds. By shedding their personal selves, they can explore diverse emotions, perspectives, and experiences that might be otherwise unattainable or unexplored. Essentially, acting allows them to live multiple lives, enriching their own existence through empathy and artistic expression.


"It's very important to have a sense of humor about yourself."

Christopher Plummer's quote emphasizes the importance of maintaining a light-hearted perspective towards oneself. This means acknowledging our flaws, shortcomings, and quirks with good humor instead of taking ourselves too seriously or becoming overly critical. Developing self-deprecating humor can help us cope with life's challenges more effectively, foster personal growth, and strengthen relationships by being more approachable and relatable to others.


I hate turbulence in life, but also on planes.

- Christopher Plummer

Hate, Planes, Also, Turbulence

We used to listen to Lionel Barrymore do 'A Christmas Carol' on the radio long ago, and I like Reginald Owen, who played Scrooge in the first treatment for the screen. But my favorite Scrooge was Alastair Sim. He was enchanting, an absolutely beautiful performance.

- Christopher Plummer

Screen, Treatment, Lionel, Carol

I didn't have to keep a bloody journal. It's terribly boring keeping a journal anyway. I hate it. You spend more time writing down life instead of living it.

- Christopher Plummer

Living, More, Keeping, Journal

In Montreal, when I grew up, I'd go to the Notre-Dame Basilica, a gorgeous cathedral in town. I'd listen to huge symphony orchestras, Pavarotti singing operas; that was absolutely marvelous. I like that aspect of the cathedral, the spectacle.

- Christopher Plummer

Town, Spectacle, Operas, Marvelous

Most actors come from the streets, and their rise to fame is guided by a natural anger. It was harder to find that rage coming from a gentle background.

- Christopher Plummer

Natural, Streets, Come, Guided

Working with Julie Andrews is like getting hit over the head with a valentine.

- Christopher Plummer

Funny, Over, Getting, Valentine

I think of being ornate as a Victorian quality, little to do with Shakespeare. But even Dickens wasn't ornate; he wrote with flow and naturalism.

- Christopher Plummer

Think, I Think, Wrote, Dickens

I think anger does fuel a successful acting career. To play the great roles, you have to learn how to blaze.

- Christopher Plummer

Play, Career, Think, Blaze

I wasn't thrilled about 'The Sound Of Music' - not the movie itself but my role in it. Captain Von Trapp was a bore, and they tried to help by giving it a bit more cynicism, but it wasn't my favourite role. I enjoyed the music, and I loved Julie Andrews.

- Christopher Plummer

Movie, Role, Sound Of Music, None

I love trying to give some flesh to rather naked bones sometimes. I've always felt it my duty and to try and bring on the character's off-stage life, what happened that is not revealed.

- Christopher Plummer

Love, Give, Always, Revealed

I think a lot of directors over the years have cast me because they see something of another generation in me: you know, certain people look like they've come from the 19th century. Because I have classical background I suppose that is more suitable to patriarchal roles and easily infuses them.

- Christopher Plummer

I Think, 19th Century, Suitable

I thought, 'If I make 35, it'll be okay,' and then at 40, I got scared, and now that I'm 81, I'm scared to death.

- Christopher Plummer

Death, Thought, Okay, Scared

The first time my father saw me in the flesh was on the stage, which is a bit weird. We went out to dinner, and he was charming and sweet, but I did all the talking.

- Christopher Plummer

Father, Which, Saw, Flesh

I admire Ridley Scott, and I'm thrilled to be making a movie for him.

- Christopher Plummer

Admire, Movie, Making, None

Some of the best casts I've ever worked with have been dogs.

- Christopher Plummer

Some, Ever, Worked, Casts

I was always a happy kid. I'd play the piano fairly well. I did all sorts of things fairly well. But who the hell wants to be happy all the time? It's a miserable state to be in permanently. Can you imagine how dreary that would be?

- Christopher Plummer

Happy, Play, Kid, Dreary

When I was young, I played the piano and studied classical music and jazz. I wanted to be a concert pianist, and if I'd devoted myself to it, I could have been. But it would have been too much work and a very lonely life.

- Christopher Plummer

Young, Been, Very, Classical Music

The part of Mike Wallace drew me to the movie because I thought, what an outrageous part to play.

- Christopher Plummer

Thought, Play, Movie, Outrageous

A lot of people want to retire; I couldn't. You don't retire in our business. What, play golf and watch television? Oh, please.

- Christopher Plummer

Business, Play, Television, Retire

I want to paint Montreal as a rather fantastic city, which it was, because nobody knows today what it was like. And I'm one of the last survivors, or rapidly becoming one.

- Christopher Plummer

Last, Becoming, Which, Rapidly

Most of my life I have played a lot of famous people but most of them were dead so you have a poetic license.

- Christopher Plummer

My Life, Famous, Poetic, License

I was an only child, so I was very demanding. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but I wasn't very pleasant.

- Christopher Plummer

Very, Thoroughly, Pleasant, Only Child

I couldn't believe when I first got a fan letter from Al Pacino, it was unreal.

- Christopher Plummer

Believe, Got, Al, None

My great-grandfather was prime minister of Canada, and I had a very Edwardian upbringing. It was a beautiful, romantic way of growing up, until the family lost its money. And I decided to be bad and rough and find the streets rather than the gates.

- Christopher Plummer

Bad, Very, Rough, Edwardian

Here is Mike Wallace, who is visible to the public, and I have been watching him since the early '50s. Smoking up a storm and insulting his guests and being absolutely wonderfully evil and charming too.

- Christopher Plummer

Here, Been, Mike, Wonderfully

Simon Pegg is terribly talented, very funny, such a delicious sense of humour.

- Christopher Plummer

Humour, Very, Simon, Talented

Never forget your sense of humour.

- Christopher Plummer

Forget, Never, Humour, Never Forget

It is a culture voice, but it is a very American culture voice, and I am very used to English culture voice. So I had to work like hell to flatten those R's.

- Christopher Plummer

Voice, Like, Very, American Culture

I'm too old-fashioned to use a computer. I'm too old-fashioned to use a quill.

- Christopher Plummer

Computers, Computer, Too, Old-Fashioned

I've done a lot of pictures that are ensemble, and I've not always liked the people I was working with, but that doesn't make any difference because you do the job, and often it turns out to be a great ensemble even if you didn't particularly really like anybody.

- Christopher Plummer

Ensemble, Anybody, Liked, Pictures

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