18 Apr 2015
Jonathan Crombie Image: anneofgreengables.com
Anne of Green Gables fans swooned at Gilbert Blithe, portrayed by Jonathan Crombie, a Canadian actor who was charismatic and charming. Sadly, Crombie passed away on April 15 from a sudden and unexpected brain hemorrhage. He was 48 years old.
Crombie is most known for his playing opposite Megan Fellows in Anne of Green Gables and two sequels in 1984, 1987 and 2000 and also in Avonlea. But Crombie also was known for his work in Mount Royal, Slings and Arrows, The Secret World of Benjamin Bear and most recently appearing in The Good Wife. Crombie also appeared in Dropsey Chaperone on Broadway.
Crombie performed in a sketch comedy troupe “Comedy Now!” in 1998 who performed in SketchCom television series.
“He was funny, he was sweet,” his sister said. “He loved acting, he loved comedy and singing and dancing. 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.”
Crombie was son of David Crombie who served as Mayor of Toronto from 1972-1982 and as a federal Progressive Conservative cabinet minister in the 1980’s.
Crombie did not shy away from his fame, but also not taking it to his head either. “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,” Carrie Crombie, Jonathan’s sister said. “[But] I think his proudest part was when he played the lead in Drowsy Chaperone on Broadway. That was just an amazing thing for him to be able to do.”
“I think for legions of young women around the world who fell in love with the Anne of Green Gables films, Jonathan literally represented the quintessential boy next door, and there were literally thousands of women who wrote to him over the years who saw him as a perfect mate,” Kevin Sullivan, producer of Anne of Green Gables said. “I think there will be hundreds of people who will be floored that this has happened. It’s such a devastating tragedy. In reality, Jonathan was as generous, as kind, as sensitive and as ambitious, in some ways, as the character he came to be identified with.”
“Megan [Felllows] was more of a seasoned professional, in some ways, than Jonathan was,” continued Sullivan. “He was kind of a newbie and I just remember that they were able to ground each other extremely well and the relationship that they had was one of great affection…they were both very generous with each other and both really made those performances vivid and real.”
Carrie Crombie said that they were not aware of any major health issues that her brother was enduring and he was very committed to good health. Per his request, his organs have been donated, which she feels is something he would be proud of. She said a “huge, wonderful celebration of life” will be held in his honor sometime in the coming weeks.