( CNN ) Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie , who co-starred in the `` Anne of Green Gables '' TV movies , died this week at age 48 . Crombie died Wednesday from complications of a brain hemorrhage , `` Anne of Green Gables '' producer Kevin Sullivan said . `` It 's a real tragedy to see someone at age 48 go like that , '' he said . `` I will remember him as someone who worked extremely hard to make the roles he played onscreen come to life . '' Based on Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery 's children 's books , `` Anne of Green Gables '' debuted in Canada on CBC TV in 1984 and became a cultural touchstone . The plot focused on the adventures of fiery orphan Anne Shirley , played by Megan Follows , who is sent to live on a farm in Prince Edward Island . Crombie played Gilbert Blythe , who evolves over time from Anne 's pigtail-tugging tormentor to friend to husband . Follows and Crombie reprised the roles in the sequels `` Anne of Avonlea '' ( 1987 ) and `` Anne of Green Gables : The Continuing Story '' ( 2000 ) . The movies were carried in the United States by the Disney Channel and PBS , drawing a cult following beyond Canada and extending to Japan , which made its own animated series based on the books . Crombie , son of former Toronto Mayor David Crombie , was cast in the role at 17 , beating out other aspiring Canadian actors of the era , including Jason Priestly , Sullivan said . Despite his lack of acting experience , Crombie 's boy-next-door looks and cool demeanor made him the perfect actor to star opposite Follows , Sullivan said . `` It was an amazing chemistry between him and Megan Follows , '' Sullivan said . `` There was a lot of affection , but they kind of grounded each other . '' The movies spawned various spinoffs , including `` Road to Avonlea , '' starring child actor Sarah Polley , and turned Anne 's fictional home on Prince Edward Island into a popular tourist destination . The role made Crombie a heartthrob of his time , a sentiment expressed by many fans in the wake of his death . As one person said on Twitter , `` I do n't know any female Canadian from my generation that *didn't* have at least a little bit of a crush on Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert . '' Crombie went on to play roles in other American and Canadian TV shows , including `` 21 Jump Street '' and `` The Good Wife , '' but even his Facebook page acknowledges he is best known for his portrayal of Gilbert Blythe . Crombie 's sister told CBC News that her brother happily answered to the name Gil when greeted by fans in public . `` I think he was really proud of being Gilbert Blythe , '' she said . `` He really enjoyed that series and was happy , very proud of it -- we all were . '' People we 've lost in 2015 .
Gilbert Blythe is best known for playing Jonathan Crombie in `` Anne of Green Gables '' Book , movies about girl sent to live on Canadian farm .