Christopher Plummer

Highest Rated: 98% Up (2009)

Lowest Rated: 9% The Forger (2014)

Birthday: Dec 13, 1929

Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Arguably the greatest survivor of the two-fisted drinkers' school of acting that included the likes of Richard Burton, Peter O'Toole and Albert Finney, classically-trained actor Christopher Plummer established himself on both sides of the Atlantic as one of the finest stage performers of his generation, particularly in Shakespearean roles. After headlining for three of the world's most noted theater companies, Plummer starred in a host of movies; most memorably playing Baron Georg Von Trapp in the smash hit musical "The Sound of Music" (1965). Though he remained prolific both on stage and onscreen, earning awards in several mediums, Plummer languished for the next few decades in mostly mediocre projects that were beneath his skill set. But in 1997, he delivered a Tony Award-winning performance as the besotted actor John Barrymore in "Barrymore" that earned him the considerable attention that had previously eluded him. From that point on, he became a much in-demand character actor, playing "60 Minutes" correspondent Mike Wallace in "The Insider" (1999), Captain Christopher Newport in "The New World" (2005), and a managing partner of a power law firm in the excellent political thriller, "Syriana" (2005). While he occasionally returned to the stage, as he did with a sterling Broadway performance as the titular "King Lear" (2004), Plummer enjoyed his late-life success on the big screen - including a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for "Beginners" (2011) - after his long struggle to achieve it.