Goodbye, Gilbert

Today is a sad day for all of the girls that grew up watching the three Anne of Green Gables Mini-series.

cbc.ca has reported that the actor Jonathan Crombie, most well known for playing Gilbert Blythe in the famous series produced by Sullivan Entertainment, died at the age of 48 on April 15, 2015.

Jonathan was just 17 when he was approached to play the infamous role of Gilbert opposite Megan Follows' Anne Shirley. While Megan was already a well known actor at the time of her casting, Jonathan was new to the scene and she showed him the ropes and they kept each other grounded through the process of working on such iconic roles together, a story that spanned over three specials and 16 years.

He never shied away from the fame that was brought to him from the role, always responding to fans on the street who called out "Gilbert" and according to his sister, Carrie he was proud of the role.

"I think he was really proud of being Gilbert Blythe.... He really enjoyed that series and was happy, very proud of it."

Of all the stories I watched growing up, and all the characters that I loved, Anne Shirley, especially Megan Follows, was my inspiration. In my writing, and in my day to day life, I aspired to be the kind of woman that was strong and independant like Anne, I even had the hot temper and red hair to match.

I have yet to find my Gilbert, but I still pull out the movie to watch in my day to day life and find myself falling in love with the boy next door all over again. Jonathan Crombie was a great actor, with a smile that would light up the screen, and a wit that could only be matched to Anne and her wild ways. They were like fire and ice at times, and that was what made they relatable and one of the greatest loves stories ever told, at least in my humble opinion.

Jonathan clearly lit up whatever room, or screen, in which he appeared, and I know I, for one, am deeply saddened by his passing.

Thank you, Jonathan, for being the man that all boys should aspire to be, and for making not one little redhead orphan smile, but two (I was adopted... yeah the similarities are uncanny).

Excuse me while I have myself a little Anne marathon and celebrate the work of this amazing man.