Remembering the acting legend Sir Christopher Lee
Lee’s entry into the film industry began in the late 1940s, but his breakthrough came with Hammer Horror films in the late 1950s where he became synonymous with the character of Count Dracula
Remembering the acting legend Sir Christopher Lee
An iconic figure in the world of cinema, Sir Christopher Lee was born on May 27, 1922, in Belgravia, London, England. Lee’s early life was marked by an education at Wellington College and service during World War II, where he served in the Royal Air Force and the Special Operations Executive.
Lee’s entry into the film industry began in the late 1940s, but his breakthrough came with Hammer Horror films in the late 1950s. He became synonymous with the character of Count Dracula, a role he first played in “Dracula” (1958). His tall, imposing presence and deep voice made him perfect for horror roles, and he continued to portray Dracula in several sequels, solidifying his status as a horror legend. Among some of his best known early movie roles are Dracula (1958) as Count Dracula, The Mummy (1959) as Kharis/The Mummy, The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959) as Sir Henry Baskerville and Rasputin: The Mad Monk (1966) as Grigori Rasputin.
In the 1970s and beyond, Lee diversified his roles, moving away from horror to showcase his versatility. One of his notable roles was as the villain Scaramanga in the James Bond film “The Man with the Golden Gun” (1974). Lee’s career experienced a significant revival in the early 2000s when he took on roles in major film franchises including The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) as Saruman Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) as Count Dooku and The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014) as Saruman.
Lee continued to work in film well into his 80s and his contributions to the arts were recognized in 2009 when he was knighted for his services to drama and charity. Sir Christopher Lee passed away on June 7, 2015, at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London at the age of 93. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy lives on through his extensive body of work, which continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide specially among Horror fans.
Watch a compilation of some of Sir Christopher Lee’s best roles
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