Christopher Lee died June 7 at the age of 93, but what seems to be common among those who knew him is that he was a regular Renaissance man.
Director Peter Jackson wrote was likely the most touching of all the tributes that flowed throughout social media. According to Jackson, Christopher Lee was “a true gentleman, in an era that no longer values gentleman.” Jackson worked with the venerable actor through five movies between the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit series of films. Lee’s status as a gentleman is not the only characteristic for which he was known, however.
Christopher Lee‘s parents — a retired British officer father and an Italian countess mother — divorced, and when his mother remarried, it was to author Ian Fleming’s uncle. This is, of course, only one factor that ties Christopher Lee to the James Bond legacy; Bond fans doubtless remember Lee’s chilling turn as Francisco Scaramanga, the titular Man with the Golden Gun. This was only a part of his legion of work that would forever cement his part in cinematic history; he took part in no less than at least five historic movie series, including Bond.
Before taking on the roles of Star Wars’ evil Count Dooku or Lord of the Rings’ Saruman, Christopher Lee had a past with the British Special Forces, could apparently speak seven languages, and was known for his love of heavy metal music. He was a Lord of the Rings aficionado as well and knew author J.R.R. Tolkien. Older generations would know him as the penultimate Dracula from the Hammer Horror series of films...
Did you know any of this about Christopher Lee? For the complete article, click here. Thanks for visiting and have a great week!
7 comments:
Oh, I am so glad you posted this today, Maria. I hadn't heard of Lee's death.
He was the ultimate Dracula in my early years growing up and watching rerun movies with him in that role. So much more could be said about him and his career as an actor.
Thanks again for posting, I've shared it around.
Hi Lorelei! You are so welcome--glad you enjoyed the post! I loved Christopher Lee, too, while growing up:). It's amazing that my kids are now familiar with him, as well! He was quite the man;).
An amazing life, well lived. He was a great actor- Saruman's my favourite role for him, but he played so many other great parts down through the years.
Hi William! He was phenomenal! So many roles, so many years! I had no idea he was even in his 90s.
He played Dracula well. I loved his acting. They don't make them like him anymore.
Good post!
I'll never forget the first time I saw him...The Horror of Dracula, 1958. My parents were going to see it. I was only five at the time, so I was supposed to stay with a neighbor. But her kids, all older than me, begged to go along and swore they never got scared at that kind of movie. So I wanted to go, too.
Christopher Lee's first close up, with blood dripping from his fangs, caused one of the kids to faint. Two vomited. As for me, I spent the next few years sleeping with a cross under my pillow.
@Shelly: Thanks, Shelly, glad you enjoyed it! No, they don't make them like him anymore!
@Norma: OMGosh, Norma! You had me dying laughing about your 1958 movie adventure! What a compliment to Christopher Lee, however, it also sounds like the makings of a great short story;).
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