The Three Wives Of Christopher Plummer: How The 'Sound Of Music' Star Found His 50-Year Love Story With Elaine Taylor

Few actors could match the towering stage and screen presence of Christopher Plummer, a Canadian National Treasure whose career spanned seven decades, from his iconic role as Captain Georg von Trapp in *The Sound of Music* to his Oscar-winning turn in *Beginners*. Yet, as of December 12, 2025, the most compelling drama of his life remains his journey through three marriages to find a rare, enduring stability with his final wife, the English actress Elaine Taylor.

The legendary actor, known for his witty and often self-deprecating charm, candidly detailed his tumultuous early life and numerous "amours" in his memoir, *In Spite of Myself*. It was his third and final marriage, however, that provided the anchor he needed, a partnership that lasted over five decades until his peaceful passing in 2021 at their long-time home in Connecticut. This is the definitive look at the women who shaped the life of one of the greatest actors of his generation.

Christopher Plummer: A Complete Biographical Profile

Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer CC was a towering figure in the world of acting, one of the few performers to achieve the "Triple Crown of Acting" by winning an Academy Award, two Emmy Awards, and two Tony Awards. His life and career are summarized below:

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• Full Name: Arthur Christopher Orme Plummer
• Born: December 13, 1929, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Died: February 5, 2021, in Weston, Connecticut, U.S. (Age 91)
• Nationality: Canadian
• Ancestry: Great-grandson of Canadian Prime Minister Sir John Abbott
• Education: Attended High School of Montreal (H.S.M.)
• Spouses:
  • Tammy Grimes (m. 1956; div. 1960)
  • Patricia Lewis (m. 1962; div. 1967)
  • Elaine Taylor (m. 1970)
• Child: Amanda Plummer (from first marriage)
• Notable Awards: Oscar (Best Supporting Actor for *Beginners*), two Tony Awards, two Emmy Awards, Grammy Award (for narration)
• Memoir: *In Spite of Myself: A Memoir* (2008)

The Turbulent Path: Marriages to Tammy Grimes and Patricia Lewis

Plummer's early life was marked by a theatrical intensity that extended to his romantic relationships, resulting in two marriages that were fiery but ultimately short-lived. He was, by his own admission, a restless spirit in his younger years, often prioritizing his burgeoning career on the stage over domestic stability.

The First Wife: Tammy Grimes (1956–1960)

Plummer’s first wife was the American actress and singer Tammy Grimes. Grimes was a vibrant, Tony Award-winning performer known for her distinctive, husky voice and sharp wit. They married in 1956, a union of two equally ambitious and dynamic theatrical personalities.

Their marriage, however, lasted only four years, dissolving in 1960. The most lasting legacy of this relationship is their daughter, Amanda Plummer (born 1957), who would go on to become a highly respected and unique actress in her own right. Plummer later confessed that he was largely absent during Amanda’s formative years, a regret he carried.

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The Second Wife: Patricia Lewis (1962–1967)

Two years after his divorce from Grimes, Plummer married his second wife, Patricia Lewis, in 1962. Lewis was a journalist, and their relationship offered a brief respite from the all-consuming world of acting that defined his first marriage.

This marriage is notable for a curious and dramatic detail: Plummer proposed to Lewis while she was recovering from a severe car accident. According to reports, Lewis was fresh out of a coma and her jaw had not yet healed at the time of their wedding ceremony. Despite the dramatic start, this marriage also ended after five years, with the couple divorcing in 1967.

Elaine Taylor: The Anchor of a 50-Year Love Story

The third time proved to be the charm for Christopher Plummer. In 1970, he married the English actress and dancer Elaine Taylor, a union that would last for 51 years until his death in 2021. Their relationship was widely credited by those close to him, including his manager Lou Pitt, as the source of his stability and happiness in his later, most successful decades.

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A Fateful Meeting on a Film Set

Plummer and Taylor’s love story began with a classic theatrical romance. They met in 1969 on the set of the British comedy film *Lock Up Your Daughters*. Plummer, then 39, was playing the role of Lord Foppington, and Taylor, 25, portrayed the character Cloris.

Despite the fourteen-year age difference, the chemistry was immediate and undeniable. They married a year later, in 1970, marking the beginning of a partnership that transcended the often-fickle nature of Hollywood marriages.

Life in Weston, Connecticut, and the Secret to Longevity

Unlike the turbulent, public nature of his earlier relationships, the life Plummer built with Elaine Taylor was deliberately private and grounded. They resided for decades in a stately home in Weston, Connecticut, a quiet refuge from the demands of their careers.

Taylor, herself an accomplished actress, made a conscious decision to step back from her career to support Plummer’s, providing the stable home life that the actor had previously lacked. Plummer often spoke about the profound impact she had on his life, crediting her with reigning in his more reckless tendencies and providing a steadying influence.

The secret to their longevity, as Plummer hinted in his memoir, *In Spite of Myself*, was a blend of mutual respect, shared humor, and a deep, enduring friendship. He found in Elaine not just a wife, but his "true best friend," a sentiment echoed by his manager Lou Pitt after his passing.

A Legacy of Love and Artistry

Christopher Plummer’s final years were a testament to the stability Elaine Taylor provided. He continued to work prolifically well into his late 80s, culminating in his 2012 Oscar win for *Beginners*, making him the oldest person to win an acting Oscar at the time, and a memorable turn in *Knives Out*.

When the beloved actor died peacefully on February 5, 2021, at the age of 91, it was at his home in Weston, Connecticut, with Elaine Taylor by his side. His manager noted that he passed away from complications after suffering a fall.

The enduring 51-year marriage to Elaine Taylor stands as a powerful final act to a life filled with dramatic highs and lows. It proves that even the most notoriously restless spirits can find their ultimate peace and greatest love, not in a fleeting romance, but in a long-term, committed partnership with a true companion.