Jonathan Crombie facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jonathan Crombie
Crombie in 1986
Born	(1966-10-12)October 12, 1966 Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died	April 15, 2015(2015-04-15) (aged 48) New York City, New York, United States
Nationality	Canadian
Years active	1982–2015
Parent(s)	David Crombie and Shirley Crombie

Jonathan Crombie (born October 12, 1966 – died April 15, 2015) was a Canadian actor. He was best known for playing Gilbert Blythe in the popular 1985 TV movie Anne of Green Gables and its follow-up movies.

Early Life and Discovering Acting

Jonathan Crombie was born in Toronto, Ontario. His father, David Crombie, was the mayor of Toronto for several years. He also worked as a government minister in Canada.

Jonathan went to Lawrence Park Collegiate Institute. While performing in a school play called The Wizard of Oz, a casting agent noticed him. This was how he got his start in acting.

Jonathan Crombie's Acting Career

Becoming Gilbert Blythe

Jonathan Crombie had never acted professionally before. He used a simple photo from a photo booth when he tried out for the role of Gilbert Blythe. This was for the 1985 TV series Anne of Green Gables. He played Gilbert again in the 1987 movie Anne of Avonlea. He also appeared in Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story in 2000. Fans loved his character so much that many people called him "Gil."

Other TV Shows and Voice Acting

Jonathan Crombie also showed his funny side as a comedian. In 1998, he performed in a sketch comedy group on the Canadian TV show Comedy Now!. He also lent his voice to the main character in the cartoon series The Secret World of Benjamin Bear. This show ran from 2003 to 2009. He also appeared in other TV shows like 21 Jump Street and Slings & Arrows. In 2015, he had guest roles in The Good Wife and Haven.

On Stage: Theatre Roles

Jonathan loved performing in plays. He spent four seasons at the Stratford Festival in Ontario. There, he acted in famous plays like A Comedy Of Errors, Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet. He was even nominated for an award for his role in the play Arcadia.

In 2007, Jonathan made his debut on Broadway in the musical The Drowsy Chaperone. He played the character "Man in Chair." He also toured with the show across the United States. His last stage performance was in a play called Benediction in 2015.

Jonathan Crombie's Passing

Jonathan Crombie passed away suddenly on April 15, 2015, in New York City. His family shared the sad news a few days later. Many fans were very sad to hear this. "Gilbert Blythe" became a trending topic on social media as people shared their memories and condolences.

Filmography