Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie dies from brain hemorrhage

Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie, best known for his role on the Anne of Green Gables movies, has died at the age of 48. (Sullivan Entertainment)

NEW YORK - Canadian actor Jonathan Crombie, best known for his role on the Anne of Green Gables movies, has died at the age of 48.

Anne of Green Gables producer Kevin Sullivan says Crombie died from complications from a brain hemorrhage in New York City on April 15.

Crombie became famous for portraying the character of Gilbert Blythe in the 1985 Anne Of Green Gables television movie that aired on the CBC and spawned two sequels in 1987 and 2000.

He was also the son of David Crombie, who was a federal cabinet minister in the government of Brian Mulroney and mayor of Toronto from 1972 to 1978.

Jonathan Crombie was also a member of a sketch comedy troupe on the Canadian TV series Comedy Now! in 1998 and performed in The Drowsy Chaperone Broadway musical in 2008.

Sullivan says the news was "completely unexpected" and he called Crombie the "quintessential boy next door."