Monday, April 20, 2015

Remembering Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe

I was one of many little girls who grew up in the '80s and '90s wishing she lived in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea were staples in my house. Anne Shirley was a kindred spirit, Gilbert Blythe was one of my first fictional crushes, and I felt like I was meant to live in Avonlea and be part of the King family.

 

On Saturday when I heard that Jonathan Crombie, best known for playing Gilbert Blythe in the Anne movies, had died, I was heartbroken. Obviously Lucy Maude Montgomery gets credit for creating such a wonderful character, but Jonathan brought him to life on the screen. He was beautiful and boyish and charming and perfect. He could do it all - earnest, funny, cheeky, flustered, frustrated...and when he looked at Anne with so much yearning and affection and wonder, I dreamed a boy would look at me like that someday. In so many ways I grew up with Anne and Gilbert - the original movie aired in 1985, so I've been watching it my whole life. Then Anne of Avonlea came out in 1987, Gilbert made an appearance on Road to Avonlea when a beloved character died in 1992, and finally the Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story movie came out in 2000.

Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe has been part of my life forever, and now he's gone. My heart aches for his family, friends, and loved ones, and for the many fans who are mourning the loss of someone they probably never met, but who they've loved for so long.  

Thank you, Jonathan Crombie, for your messy-haired, sparkling-eyed, ridiculously charming portrayal of my dream man. Thank you for making me laugh, making me swoon, and making me believe that I'd get my own love story as epic as Anne and Gilbert's.

I went through four tissues watching this 6-minute video. That wink! That smile! The way he looks at Anne. His pride in her, and his patience despite her stubbornness. Oh Gilbert. <3

1 comment:

  1. I was so sad to hear about his death. I think every girl had a crush on Gilbert/Jonathan. So sad that he's gone. I think a Anne Marathon is in order.

    ReplyDelete

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