Julie Andrews Praises Christopher Plummer As The ‘Glue’ Behind ‘Sound Of Music’

It’s been a year since the legendary Hollywood star Christopher Plummer passed away at the age of 91, but he is still dearly missed by his millions of fans to this day. Now, Plummer’s Sound Of Music co-star Julie Andrews is speaking out to pay tribute to him, saying that he was the “glue” that held that movie together.

‘We Became Great Friends’

Andrews, 86, told Vanity Fair that it was Plummer who managed to “get rid of the really sugary parts of the film.”

“It was really thanks to Chris Plummer who gave the film its glue,” Andrews explained. “He was the firm, stern father of children and the antagonist that I had to work with. Chris was such a wonderful actor.”

Plummer played Capt. von Trapp in the classic 1965 musical, while Andrews portrayed Fräulein Maria. She went on to say that the two remained friends for the rest of Plummer’s life after filming ended.

“We became great friends, really until he passed away fairly recently,” she said. “We saw each other a lot, we knew each other, he stayed a friend, and it was very pleasant.”

Related: Christopher Plummer Of ‘Sound Of Music’ Fame Defiantly Reveals Why He’ll ‘Never Retire’

‘We Were Friends For Years’

This comes a month after Andrews reflected on her friendship with Plummer in an interview with “Today.”

 “Working with dear Chris Plummer, whom I adored,” she said. “We were friends for years.”

As for the former child stars who played the Von Trapp children in Sound of Music, Andrews said, “We do keep in touch, but not on a really regular basis. I mean, Christmases, maybe birthdays and certainly get-togethers, but we just bonded so hard that I think we’re family anyway.”

The five surviving Von Trapp children actors surprised Andrews last month when she was being given the AFI Life Achievement Award. At the ceremony, they took the stage to serenade Andrews with the song “Do Re Mi,” which was featured in the film. Check that special performance out for yourself below.

Full Story: The Von Trapp Children Reunite To Surprise Julie Andrews

Andrews Honors Plummer After His Death

Plummer tragically passed away at the age of 91 in February of 2021 two weeks after suffering a head injury in a fall. Andrews was quick to pay tribute to the beloved actor after his passing. 

“The world has lost a consummate actor today and I have lost a cherished friend,” she said at the time, according to Daily Mail. “I treasure the memories of our work together and all the humor and fun we shared through the years.”

Plummer appeared in over 100 movies during his decades-long career, and he made history back in 2012 became the oldest Academy Award acting winner in history at the age of 82, taking home the Best Supporting Actor trophy for his work in Beginners. He was also nominated for two other Oscars in his career, and he took home two Emmy Awards and two Tony Awards for his work in television and on Broadway, respectively.

Even so, Plummer will always be best remembered for playing the stern patriarch in Sound of Music. It’s nice to know that the chemistry that Plummer shared with Andrews onscreen in that film translated behind the scenes into a beautiful friendship.