Anne of Green Gables fans will be heartbroken to hear that Jonathan Crombie, who starred in the 1985 CBC series of films died suddenly from a massive brain hemorrhage. He was 48.
According to Jonathan Crombie’s sister, Carrie Crombie, the actor suffered a brain hemorrhage on Wednesday in New York City.
“He was funny, he was sweet, he loved acting, he loved comedy and singing and dancing,” Carrie told CBC of the Anne of Green Gables star. “As a little kid, he just loved Broadway shows and all of that kind of stuff and would sing and dance in the living room.”
Although he performed in many roles, Jonathan Crombie will be most remembered for his turn as Gilbert Blythe in the popular Anne of Green Gables films.
“I think he was really proud of being Gilbert Blythe and was happy to answer any questions … he really enjoyed that series and was happy, very proud of it – we all were,” said Carrie, adding that his proudest moment may have been his role in The Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway.
#AnneOfGreenGables star Jonathan Crombie has died at age 48 http://t.co/x5V1Q1hO8g pic.twitter.com/2veLzl2Po5
— Variety (@Variety) April 19, 2015
Fans last saw Jonathan Crombie in an episode of this season’s The Good Wife.
Carrie said her brother often traveled by bus back to his hometown of Toronto, where his father was mayor for much of the ’70s, and it is there that a “huge, wonderful celebration of life” will be held for the Anne of Green Gables star.
'We met, (Crombie) did no screen test…but he was amazing because of the chemistry' http://t.co/G9YE8WYbdK pic.twitter.com/62JQZXxMwn
— CTV News (@CTVNews) April 19, 2015
“To be honest, that’s how we are going to be bringing him back,” she said of plans to return the Anne of Green Gables star’s remains home on a bus. “We felt that it was an ode to Jonathan. He would never go on a plane, so we’re going to make the trek from New York to Toronto on a bus with his ashes.”
