Renowned actor Christopher Plummer receives honorary degree Special

The University of Guelph, located in Guelph, Ontario, conferred an honorary Doctor of Letters degree on world renowned Canadian-born actor, Christopher Plummer today. Addressing an audience of hundreds, Christopher Plummer said that he had never gone to college and this was something he regretted all his life. He was thankful the University of Guelph had conferred the honour on him, saying that it made him feel as if he was young again. The convocation ceremony will be available online at some point in the near future. To watch go to the University of Guelph's streaming page. Born in Toronto in 1929, Plummer is professed to have a love for Shakespearean theater. He has acted in many movies such as The Man Who Would Be King, Dragnet, Shadow Dancing, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Malcolm X, Dolores Claiborne, Syriana, as well as newer movies such as Up, Already Dead and The Summit. He has also acted in television shows and the stage. One role that has garnered him non-ending popularity as an actor was Plummer's reprisal of Captain Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, 1965. Plummer has won extensive honours and awards in Canada, Austria, Great Britain and the United States, including an Emmy and a Genie. Made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1968, Plummer has subsequently been awarded the Governor General's lifetime achievement award in 2001 and given an honorary doctorate of Fine Arts from Julliard, as well as honorary degrees from the University of Toronto, McGill University, Ryerson University, the University of Western Ontario and the University of Ottawa.

Stephanie Dearing

A picture of University of Guelph Chancellor, Pamela Wallen, with actor Christopher Plummer

Sporting a bow tie and his ceremonial gown, the elegant man gave a humourous and witty address to the hundreds of graduands, for which he received a standing ovation. He started his address in French, describing the students as "comrades." Comparing university studies to jail (because the students were captive to their pursuit of higher education for a few years), Plummer said that his life has been based on escape, He joked that he had been seeking escape since just before his birth. "I can remember pacing restlessly inside my mother's womb." He then went on to say how lucky he was to have found a career in acting, something he said he had fallen into because he didn't know how to do anything else.

Stephanie Dearing

Christopher Plummer at podium, addressing graduating University of Guelph students.

Wrapping up his address, Plummer spoke about how theater enriches life through taking risks and addressing sensitive topics. He added that the role of theater in life is to mirror truth, but also to exceed truth. He urged the graduating student body to 'escape' and be more adventurous. Closing his address, he advised the students to "Throw all caution to the winds, storm the Bastille ... grab the world by the nape of the neck and grapple it to your heart."

Stephanie Dearing

A photographa of Christopher Plummer and Alastair Summerlee at the University of Guelph