R.I.P. Dracula & LOTR actor Sir Christopher Lee (1922-2015)

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

The Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson Christopher Lee

Legendary British actor Sir Christopher Lee has passed away at the age of 93. Lee died Sunday morning while being treated for respiratory problems and heart failure at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. The announcement was delayed because the actor's wife of over 50 years wanted to inform family members first of his passing.

Christopher Lee was best known for appearing in nine films (ten if you count his uncredited role in ONE MORE TIME) as Count Dracula for Hammer Films, portraying Saruman in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, and Count Dooku from the Star Wars prequels. The actor's other big screen credits include the original THE WICKER MAN, the ninth Bond film THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN, and the Tim Burton-directed films SLEEPY HOLLOW, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, ALICE IN WONDERLAND and DARK SHADOWS.

The actor was also a World War II veteran serving in the Royal Air Force, and a classically trained singer. Lee sang on the soundtrack for THE WICKER MAN, and released two heavy metal albums; 2010's Charlemagne By the Sword and the Cross and 2013's Charlemagne: The Omens of Death.

R.I.P. Christopher Lee. You will be missed but not forgotten.

Source: The Guardian

About the Author