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CHRISTOPHER LEE, THE legendary actor who appeared in films spanning from Dracula to James Bond, has died at the age of 93.
He had been hospitalised recently for respiratory problems and heart problems.
The actor was best known for his dark roles in films such as The Wicker Man, Dracula, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as the Hammer horror films in which he first found fame.
However he was loathe to be pigeonholed as ‘just’ a horror actor, in a career which spanned genres.
He was one of the most memorable James Bond villains, playing Scaramanga in the 1974 films The Man With the Golden Gun.
He was introduced to a new generation in his roles over the past two decades, including as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, and Count Dooku in the Star Wars films.
He also appeared in Tim Burton films Alice in Wonderland and Sleepy Hollow.
Lee was knighted in 2009. He married his wife Birgit in 1961 and the couple had one daughter.
He died on Sunday morning in a London hospital, but his death was only confirmed this afternoon.
First published 12.30pm
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No way! Sad to hear that. He was an amazing Dracula and Frankenstein monster, and briliant in The Wicker Man, as well as hundreds of other films
All the great horror stars are gone now. He, Vincent Price, Peter Cushing, where will we see their like again?
Just saw Ron Moody (Fagan in Oliver) has passed away as well..sad day indeed.
Ah Ron Moody! He was great as Fagin, very good as the wicked uncle in Flight of the Doves too! What will we do without these legends?
@stephen…. Jeez Ron Moody too. I wasn’t familiar with him apart from as Fagan – but Googled some images. Cripes that man could become any amount of characters! One picture looked less like himself than another!
From Peter Jackson’s commentary on the extended edition of Two Towers:
When I was shooting the stabbing shot with Christopher, as a director would I was explaining to him what he should do”… “And he says, ‘Peter, have you ever heard the sound a man makes when he’s stabbed in the back?’ And I said, ‘Um, no.’ And he says ‘Well, I have, and I know what to do.’ “
He had a ‘This Is Your Life’ programme in 1974. It’s on YouTube.
40 years ago and he was already worthy of This Is Your Life.
Legend.
Legend…RIP
When a person dies as all living things will why do writers come on this comment box and write the letters r.i.p? I presume it means rest. Rot. Or rust in peace? Its religious claptrap implying that the person is somehow not really dead but resting somewhere….in peace….and is going to wake up somewhere else. Forget it people when any living thing dies it rots and then turns to dust, humans ditto,
Tough morning paddy?
There I was thinking I knew all the secrets of the universe until you just cleared it up for me. Thanks
There’s always that one pr*ck who’s like “people only talk about them when they die”. Have some bloody respect!
Paddy, Relax in Peace.
Have a snickers Paddy
Did someone take the stabilisers off your bike this morning Paddy?
I can see that I touched a raw nerve…they …the peasants can’t handle the truth. They’d rather believe the lie that the dead wake up in another world although there’s not a sintilla of evidence to support such a ludicrous idea….I put a pin your balloon people and your reaction has filled my heart with mirith. And we thought we were liberated from Superstition?
Wish you’d RIP.
Bleedin numpty
Another atheist here Paddy. But you’re just a w4nker. Let people say what they want as a mark of respect for someone they admired. Did it really annoy you that much? Are you really that easily bothered by someone using 3 letters to mark the passing of a legendary actor?
And you touched no nerve. You’re just being called out as a kn0b
Jj the fact that you addressed me as a w4ker sums you..not me ,up
Paddy Dracula !
@JJ, at least a w4ker has a purpose, as for Paddy, well….
I accept what you say, but you could be wrong no one knows for certain, and without certainly best keep your comments to yourself
@ paddy I am not remotely religious ans yes we do indeed physically rot when we die but nobody knows what happens to us mentally, spirituality or whatever you want to call it. Maybe we are all apart of a singular consciousness and we beam in and out of physical beings. Maybe we are just the universal mind of the cosmos trying to understand itself. Maybe that’s what’s what dark energy really is. Maybe that’s why the universe is expanding because the universe as a whole is evolving. But if this is it and you believe that this is your one shot at life, is this why your so grumpy. Maybe we’re in the matrix. Maybe maybe maybe!!! But that’s all speculation because nobody knows
Horseshit John, did you ever hear of David Attenborough?
Of course. Point being?
More than likely is horseshit but neither you or me can prove or disprove it. I think it’s a nice thought all the same (maybe)
Yeah sums him up as someone who speaks the truth. If your not a w4nker maybe it’s because you’ve no cock. I most definitely am a w4nker. Sometimes you just need to crack one out.
This guy just made my day. Always nice to remind myself that there’s bigger idiots out there than me.
I’m not one to mince my words paddy dear. You’re a w4nker. So I shall address you accordingly. Good day.
Paddy, I am as ardent an atheist as you’ll get yet your comment is a disservice to the man’s legacy & life achievements.
Paddy I use to be a park bench then I came back as a 3 piece suit and now a plumber so what more evidence do you want ????
Proud to be a peasant as long as a tool like you looks down at the peasantry. Get back up on your pedestal and stop annoying real people, Paddy.
Seems as plausible as my theories. I think the whole rip thingy struck a nerve with paddy. But it really is fun to wind up non wa4nkers and omg did he take the bait
People are entitled to religious beliefs and who are you to describe people as ‘peasants’. Your ignorance is only exceeded by your arrogance. This is a democratic Republic and aristocratic flummery masked as egalitarian liberal laissez faire claptrap is mind boggling,
The best Dracula of all time. R.I.P.
Dracula, Scaramanga, Saruman, Dooku, what a legacy to leave behind. RIP
Not usually one for getting upset over an actors death but I pretty much grew up on Hammer horror :( RIP
Ah that’s a shame. He was a good age though in fairness. Brilliant actor – loved him as Dracula in those Hammer House films. Made for a good Bond Villain too !! R.I.P. Christopher.
He lead a fascinating life off-screen too. He hunted nazis, witnessed Frances last execution by guillotine and more recently fronted a heavy metal band.
Great actor and oldest metal-er known. RIP
By all accounts a gentleman. A good age to reach. RIP to a genuine movie legend
I agree, 93 is a nice age to reach, though I’d still say, he passed away before his time and will be sorely missed. i can’t think of any actor who’d be able to play such a variety of roles as he did.
Fangs for the memories Christopher! RIP.
So he wasn’t a blood sucking undead vampire after all. Phew!
He was an proper movie legend though. Sorry to hear this news today. RIP Mr Lee.
He used to scare the $h1t€ out of me as a kid in the Hammer movies. I’m sure he’ll be back up and about tonight as soon as it gets dark.
Wow. So he was in his late 70s doing the LoTRs movies. Had no idea he was that old. Good innings. RIP.
A brilliant yet underrated Dracula in the Hammer films.
Maybe he’s not dead…
Thats why they waited till today to announce it. Just to be sure.
Wow huge loss. Proper talented actor, I think I have seen nearly every movie he was ever in. Much prefer the older movies. rest in peace condolences to his family. Not many like him left now its all about vanity.
THAT voice, no one could impersonate it properly!
ah that sucks
so does your ma
eh dats really upset me Stephen ..grow up ..my ma died last year from a blood clot in her neck …..necks time you should think before you say something. .I’m cross with you
Aw that’s a shame, a scary guy for the kids.
He lived a full and impactful life. Not much more you can ask for.
an incredible talent & shining light. Loved his movies & music. will have to watch the wicker man this weekend & raise a glass to one of the finest of his generation.
He has become as close to immortal as one could ever hope to be. With his voice and ability to play so many iconic roles, he will live on in all those who are fans of his work.
That said, it is still a very sad day.
A true legend of the silver screen. R.I.P.
Hammer horror <3. Thanks for your dedication to your craft Mr Lee. RIP
He didn’t die, he has just stopped living,
One of the greats. The definitive Dracula, a Bond villain and released several metal albums in his 90s. When getting direction from Peter Jackson about being stabbed he once replied: “Have you any idea what kind of noise happens when somebody’s stabbed in the back? Well, because I do.”
R.I.P Sir Christopher
Many Saturday nights spent watching him on BBC. A classic, yet unique actor. He could read the telephone directory and make it sound threatening. He was uncomfortable with being typecast as a horror actor and his later roles proved his acting diversity… … and yet there’s still a rumour as soon as the sun sets tonight, he’ll be back! Safe journey, Mr. Lee.
RIP, a brilliant actor. I remember there was also a doctor in Aer Lingus named Christopher Lee.
That’s correct Louise Chris in now in charge of a sleep clinic in ballsbridge
Awww no such a great actor I was petrified of Dracula when I was a kid,due to him for many years I couldn’t look at him in any thing else other than the memory of him as Dracula! Brilliant in the wicker man to loved it, sorry to see him gone brill actor
God bless. Gave me my love of horror movies with his brilliant Dracula stare. RIP LEGEND
Legendary actor, rip C.L
An interesting side bar regarding the late Mr. Christopher Lee. He played the 3 nipple Scaramanga in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ (with Lulu singing that immortal opening line, ‘He’s got a powerful weapon’). Christopher Lee was in fact a first cousin of Bond author Ian Fleming
What a legend, love watching his hammer house movies,he released a heavy metal album last year,not bad for a man in his 90s.RIP.
Fangs for the Memories. A great actor. Great age too. I wonder will there be a sense of deja-vu when they place him in his coffin?
Very sad
Gutted to have woken up to this news this morning. I started my day with The Wicker Man (my favorite) and will spend the rest of the day watching every Lee and Cushing film I own.
A true icon passes away. RIP Chris.
RIP Christopher .. and Ron Moody, who we lost this week too.
He was also in the film The Devil Rides Out, not a bad film but I spent my youth watching Hammer films from the BBC late at night…
He was being interviewed once and said he had trouble in the U.S. due to him being polite as they took it as a form of weakness, that struck a cord as the more American we become here then the more politeness is looked down upon but as the saying goes he showed them in the end…
RIP Christopher.
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