Jonathan Crombie obit

'Anne of Green Gables' star Jonathan Crombie dies at age 48

 

He was not on the list.

Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie, most famous for playing the love interest in Anne of Green Gables movies, has died.

The 48-year-old suffered a brain hemorrhage and died in New York City on April 15. News of his death was released Saturday April 18.

Crombie rose to stardom after he won the part of Gilbert Blythe in the 1985 Anne of Gables television movie, which was adapted from Lucy Maud Montgomery's best-selling Canadian novel.

Two sequels were also produced in 1987 and 2000.

Kevin Sullivan, the producer of Anne of Gables, described Crombie as a hardworking actor who was modest about his talents as a performer.

"He was in some ways unaware of this incredible persona that he gave off onscreen – it was a gift – and he was able to touch audiences with it," Sullivan told CTV News Channel on Saturday.

Crombie was a relative unknown until he caught the attention of Diane Polley, casting director of Anne of Green Gables and mother of Sarah Polley.

After his performance in a high school play at Lawrence Park College Institute in Toronto, Polley convinced Sullivan to give the Canadian actor a shot.

Sullivan, who had been auditioning actors from across Canada and the U.S., was immediately struck by Crombie's performance opposite co-star Megan Follows.

"We met, did no screen test -- he literally walked on set -- and was in some ways thrown into the part, but he was amazing because of the chemistry with Megan Follows … was something like having lightning in a bottle," Sullivan said.

Sullivan said that Follows, who already had onscreen experience under her belt, and Crombie, who was a new to the world television, helped each other cope with the stress of the role.

"They both supported each other extremely well, and out of that blossomed a marvelous friendship that went on over many, many, years," Sullivan said.

Follows told The Canadian Press that Crombie's death came as a "big shock."

She added that Crombie was a "sweetheart" and that they had a lot of fun together because he had an "amazing sense of humour."

"I just remember at times just laughing so hard that you'd just be crying," said Follows.

"He was so playful and silly and as I said really bright, so his humour was always informed with that, which made him even funnier," she added.

Crombie was also a comedian and performed as part of a sketch comedy troupe on the Canadian TV Series Comedy Now! in 1998.

His friends said he was funny, unpredictable and charming, and had a knack for coming up with games.

"He would come up sometimes with little rules for little word games or quiz shows," said fellow actor Don McKellar.

"He was (a) really, really funny guy and made me laugh more than anything," he added.

More recently, Crombie played the lead role in the Broadway production of "The Drowsy Chaperone" in 2008, and starred in a January episode of the hit TV show "The Good Wife."

Crombie's father, David, was the mayor of Toronto from 1972 to 1978. He was also a federal cabinet minister in the 1980s under the Brian Mulroney government.

A memorial honouring Crombie's life is expected to be held in the coming weeks.

 

Filmography

Year     Title     Role     Notes

1982    Class of 1984  Extra in final auditorium scene          

1985    Anne of Green Gables Gilbert Blythe TV movie

1986    The Campbells            Kevin Sims      Episode: "The Face of a Stranger"

A Judgment in Stone (The Housekeeper)       Bobby Coversdale      

Bullies Matt Morris    

1987    CBS Schoolbreak Special       Barney Roth    Episode: "The Day They Came to Arrest the Book"

Anne of Avonlea         Gilbert Blythe TV movie

1988    Mount Royal   Rob Valeur      16 episodes

Alfred Hitchcock Presents      Rick Garrison  Episode: "Fogbound"

1989    The Jeweler's Shop     Christopher     

The Teddy Bears' Picnic         Benjamin Bear (voice)            TV movie

The Hitchhiker            Kenny Episode: "Coach"

1991    21 Jump Street            Bill Howard    Episode: "The Education of Terry Carver"

1992    Road to Avonlea          Gilbert Blythe Episode: "Old Friends, Old Wounds"

Cafe Romeo    Bennie

The Teddy Bears' Christmas   Benjamin Bear (voice)            TV movie

The Good Fight           Sam Cragin

1993    Matrix  Cumberland     Episode: "Conviction of His Courage"

Class of '96     Sam Clive        Episode: "They Shoot Baskets, Don't They"

1997    Comedy Now! Various            Episode: "Skippy's Rangers - The Show They Never Gave"

1998    The Waiting Game      Matt     TV movie

SketchCom      Various           

The Teddy Bears' Scare          Benjamin Bear (voice)            TV movie

1999–2000      Power Play      Hudson James 5 episodes

2000    Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story           Gilbert Blythe TV movie

2002    Earth: Final Conflict   Dr. Field          Episode: "Deep Sleep"

2003–2009      The Secret World of Benjamin Bear   Benjamin Bear (voice)           

2003    Slings & Arrows                     Episode: "Playing the Swan"

2004    The Jane Show            Dave    Episode: "Pilot"

2005    Slings & Arrows         Lionel Train    3 episodes

2006    Empty Room               Short

2013    Cottage Country          Dan Mushin   

2015    The Good Wife            Inspector Bill Frazier  Episode: "Hail Mary"

Haven  Young Dave    Episode: "Just Passing Through"; (posthumous release; final role)