Eamonn McCormack/Getty Images Christopher Lee, the actor who was perhaps best known for playing Dracula, as well as Saruman in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, died Sunday after being hospitalized for respiratory problems and heart failure. Lee was 93. News of his death only became public on Thursday, as his wife, Birgit Kroencke, informed family members of his death first. The two were married for more than 50 years.
Lee's film career began in 1947, though mainstream success came decades later. He played Francisco Scaramanga in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, and he also played Count Dooku in the second and third Star Wars prequels.
In 2005, Lee told Total Film that his best performance was in the 1998 biopic Jinnah, were he played Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. However, he said his best film was 1973's The Wicker Man. In addition to his film career, Lee also released a series of heavy metal albums. The British actor was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and charity, and he was awarded the BAFTA fellowship in 2011.
As news of his death spread Thursday, Lee's former co-stars and famous fans honored him by sharing pictures and memories on social media:
So so sorry to hear that #christopherlee has passed away. He was a fascinating person. Threw a bic pen into a tree in front of me. #legend
— Dominic Monaghan (@DomsWildThings) June 11, 2015
Goodbye #ChristopherLee. Thank you for leaving behind a legacy that will be revisited for generations to come. #Saruman #Scaramanga #Mummy
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) June 11, 2015
PM: Saddened to hear of Sir Christopher Lee's death, a titan of Golden Age of Cinema & distinguished WW2 veteran who'll be greatly missed
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) June 11, 2015
Scaramenga. RIP Sir Christopher Lee dies at 93 - latest reaction and tributes - via @Telegraph http://t.co/lBDJaKcMTe
— Michael Weatherly (@M_Weatherly) June 11, 2015
Very upset to learn that Sir Christopher Lee has passed away. An amazing gentleman who brought us so many iconic roles. He will be missed.
— Reece Shearsmith (@ReeceShearsmith) June 11, 2015
Really sad to hear about the death of Christopher Lee, one of the greatest British actors and a master of the macabre pic.twitter.com/q5UUhc7xId
— Boris Johnson (@MayorofLondon) June 11, 2015
A true legend has passed. Sir Christopher Lee. pic.twitter.com/MqVqxXtqda
— Paddy Considine (@PaddyConsidine) June 11, 2015
I wish I'd met Sir Christopher Lee. I was so lucky & proud to have had him play the Earl in @BBCRadio4 Neverwhere. Great actor, great loss.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) June 11, 2015
The great, always criminally underrated Sir Christopher Lee has left us. A Titan of Cinema and a huge part of my youth. Farewell.
— Mark Gatiss (@Markgatiss) June 11, 2015
RIP Christopher Lee a.k.a. the man with the golden gun
— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) June 11, 2015
- Share
- Tweet
- Share
- <> Embed
No comments :
Post a Comment