Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee was a British actor best known for playing villains in a wide variety of films and television series. With more than 275 credits to his name, Lee had many career highlights, including recurring roles in the Lord of the Rings, Hobbit and Star Wars franchises. He also appeared as Scaramanga, the villain in the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, and had roles as Count Dracula, the Frankenstein monster and Fu Manchu.
In Lord of the Rings he appeared as Saruman, the white wizard, and the most powerful one of the five Istari sent to Middle-Earth. Lee was also the only member of the Lord of the Rings cast to boast having actually met the author of the series, J.R.R. Tolkien. In the Star Wars franchise Lee played Count Dooku, also known as Darth Tyranus. He also appeared in four of director Tim Burton’s films: Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Dark Shadows.
After serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II, Lee got his start in acting after landing a contract with the British entertainment company, the Rank Organisation. His big break came in 1957, when he scored the title role in The Curse of Frankenstein. With a slim 6’5” frame and deep voice, Lee was perfectly cast, and continued to find success with evil, murderous characters, especially Dracula, whom he would play 10 times. He recounted the trials of his height and villainous association in his 1977 autobiography, Tall, Dark and Gruesome.
Although most of his credits came in British productions, he did appear in some American television productions, including Chevron Hall of Stars, Rheingold Theatre (presented by Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), Tales of the Vikings, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Charlie’s Angels, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Street Gear and The New Adventures of Robin Hood. In 1978 he hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live with musical guest Meat Loaf.
Christopher Lee was a British actor best known for playing villains in a wide variety of films and television series. With more than 275 credits to his name, Lee had many career highlights, including recurring roles in the Lord of the Rings, Hobbit and Star Wars franchises. He also appeared as Scaramanga, the villain in the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, and had roles as Count Dracula, the Frankenstein monster and Fu Manchu.
In Lord of the Rings he appeared as Saruman, the white wizard, and the most powerful one of the five Istari sent to Middle-Earth. Lee was also the only member of the Lord of the Rings cast to boast having actually met the author of the series, J.R.R. Tolkien. In the Star Wars franchise Lee played Count Dooku, also known as Darth Tyranus. He also appeared in four of director Tim Burton’s films: Sleepy Hollow, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Dark Shadows.
After serving in the Royal Air Force during World War II, Lee got his start in acting after landing a contract with the British entertainment company, the Rank Organisation. His big break came in 1957, when he scored the title role in The Curse of Frankenstein. With a slim 6’5” frame and deep voice, Lee was perfectly cast, and continued to find success with evil, murderous characters, especially Dracula, whom he would play 10 times. He recounted the trials of his height and villainous association in his 1977 autobiography, Tall, Dark and Gruesome.
Although most of his credits came in British productions, he did appear in some American television productions, including Chevron Hall of Stars, Rheingold Theatre (presented by Douglas Fairbanks Jr.), Tales of the Vikings, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Charlie’s Angels, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Street Gear and The New Adventures of Robin Hood. In 1978 he hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live with musical guest Meat Loaf.
Lee, who did most of his own stunts, was an expert swordsman and golfer; he even appeared in operas. He was knighted in 2009, recorded a heavy-metal concept album in 2010 (Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross) and he received the BAFTA Fellowship in 2011 for his career in film.
Lee died June 7, 2015, in Chelsea, London, England. He was 93.
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