New York, April 20 (IANS): Jonathan Crombie, popular for playing Gilbert Blythe, the school rival, boyfriend and eventual husband of the heroine in the "Anne of Green Gables" movies, died of a brain hemmorhage, his sister confirmed.

Crombie, 48, died here on Wednesday, his sister Carrie told the Canadian Broadcasting Company on Saturday, reports usatoday.com.

Though he would go on to star in the Broadway play "The Drowsy Chaperone", Crombie is best remembered for his work as Blythe. He was never bothered by the fame it brought him and even answered to the name Gil when recognised on the street, Carrie said.

"I think he was really proud of being Gilbert Blythe and was happy to answer any questions," she told the CBC.

"He really enjoyed that series and was happy, very proud of it - we all were," she said.

Throughout his acting career, Crombie travelled back and forth between New York and Toronto via bus.

"That's how we are going to be bringing him back," his sister explained.

"We felt that it was an ode to Jonathan. He would never go on a plane, so we're going to make the trek from New York to Toronto on a bus with his ashes."