[147], With the song "Jingle Hell," Lee entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart at No. The Guardian reported that his wife,. [35] When Beecham's moved out of London, he joined the Home Guard. I don't want to do another one." Christopher Lee dies at the age of 93 - The Guardian Recorded shortly before his death, this marks Lee's final appearance on a musical record. [18] Aside from a "tiny part" in a school play, he did not act while at Wellington. [141] Lee recorded special dialogue, in addition to serving as the Narrator, for the Lego The Hobbit video game released in April 2014; at 91 years and 316 days old he appears in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest video game narrator. 205 Group RAF before being commissioned at the end of January 1943,[46] and attached to No. [189] In 2010, Lee received the Spirit of Hammer award at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods Awards, for his contribution to the metal genre. "[163] He subsequently moved back to England and lived with his family in Cadogan Square in west London until his death. The Story Behind TIME's Cover of D.C. Officer Michael Fanone Lee was still a relatively unknown character actor in Britain when he played his first horror role for Hammer Film Productions: the gruesome creature in The Curse of Frankenstein, a 1957 film starring Peter Cushing, who would become Lees frequent co-star. [137] He voiced Death in the animated versions of Terry Pratchett's Soul Music[113] and Wyrd Sisters,[113] and reprised the role in the Sky1 live action adaptation The Colour of Magic, taking over from the late Ian Richardson. At 10, he became a boarder at Summer Fields prep school in Oxford, where he acted in school productions with Patrick Macnee, who later gained fame as the star of the British TV series The Avengers.. [88], In all, Lee played Dracula ten times: seven films for Hammer Productions, once for Jess Franco's Count Dracula (1970), uncredited in Jerry Lewis's One More Time (1970) and douard Molinaro's Dracula and Son (1976). I have some interests outside of acting I sing and Ive written books, for instance but acting is what keeps me going, its what I do, it gives life purpose., Christopher Lee: an actor of muscular intelligence with a staggering career | Peter Bradshaw, The blossoming career of Christopher Lee: from the archive, 11 March 1972, Merry metal Christmas: Christopher Lee's 2014 festive musical offering, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, 2023 Guardian News & Media Limited or its affiliated companies. [69] During lunch with his cousin Nicol Carandini, now the Italian Ambassador to Britain, Lee was detailing his war wounds when Carandini said, "Why don't you become an actor, Christopher? [27] He worked as an office clerk for United States Lines, taking care of the mail and running errands. Occasionally, I sneaked one in. A selection of independent international reviews is given at, Central Registry of War Criminals and Security Suspects, Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Necessary Evil: Super-Villains of DC Comics, The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth, Symphony of Enchanted Lands II The Dark Secret, The Cold Embrace of Fear A Dark Romantic Symphony, Christopher Lee filmography Awards and nominations, Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement, Commander of the Venerable Order of Saint John, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Commander of Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, "Christopher Lee's memorable movie roles: 'I dreamed of being a character actor', "Biography Christopher Lee Official Website", "Christopher Lee honoured by UCD Law Society", "Sir Christopher Lee: 'Crown Prince of Terror' whose work with Hammer Horror led the postwar revival of Gothic fantasy", "Christopher Leen tavannut elokuvapomo: Hnell oli erityinen suhde Suomeen", "Sotakuvien seasta paljastui yllttv lyt: Keskell talvisodan koettelemaa Helsinki seisoo mies, joka saattaa olla nyttelijsuuruus Christopher Lee", "Fangs for the memories: The A-Z of vampires", "Why Christopher Lee's Dracula didn't suck", "The Screening Room's Top 10 British Villains", "The good, the bad and the Christopher Lee", "Sir Christopher Lee interview: 'I'm softer than people think', "Christopher Lee on the making of legends", "Burnt Offerings: The Cult of the Wicker Man 1/4", "The author who inspired The Wicker Man", "Sir Christopher Lee: Vampire, wizard, jedi and heavy metal musician", "All 24 Movies Featuring Christopher Lee & Peter Cushing", "Stuck on you. [15] He continued acting in school plays, though "the laurels deservedly went to Patrick Macnee. Johnson, Tom (2009). [97], In 1977, Lee left the UK for the US, concerned at being typecast in horror films, as had happened to his close friends Peter Cushing and Vincent Price. Christopher Lee filmography - Wikipedia I flew out to Spain for one day's work playing the part of a narrator. His death was publicly announced by his wife on 11 June. Born in Belgravia, London, in 1922 to a military father and an aristocratic mother, Lees film career started in 1947 with a role in the gothic romance Corridor of Mirrors. I pleaded with Hammer to let me use some of the lines that Bram Stoker had written. It's not a comedy, but it's got a comic title. [49] As the advance continued into Tunisia, with the Axis forces digging themselves in at the Mareth Line, Lee was almost killed when the squadron's airfield was bombed. For other people named Christopher Lee, see, J Gordon Melton (2010). [186], Lee was named 2005's 'most marketable star in the world' in a USA Today newspaper poll, after three of the films he appeared in grossed US$640million. The Associated Press cited a London official saying a death certificate was issued the day after Mr. Lee died. Lee, 48, had committed suicide in December 2012, and Scott-Chung was still reeling from the death of the friend who had served as best man in his wedding. He was a fascinating person. Superman Christopher Reeve dies at age 52 I will always be grateful to Hammer for that. Sir Christopher Lee: Screen legend dies aged 93 - BBC News [37], Lee reported to RAF Uxbridge for training and was then posted to the Initial Training Wing at Paignton. Christopher Lee, R.I.P. - Cause of Death, Date of Death, Age and They were a great launching pad. Horror star flies into Notts", The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, "Lord of the Rings: Why Saruman Doesn't Appear in Return of the King's Theatrical Cut", "Stephen Poliakoff's feature film 1939, featuring stellar line-up of UK's finest acting talent, starts shooting", "Steiger Award 2010: Die Preisverleihung", "Christopher Lee to receive Bafta Fellowship", "Hi-Res Look at Hilary Swank in Hammer Films' 'The Resident', "Christopher Lee Talks The Hobbit, Hugo and Dark Shadows", "Christopher Lee's Best Performances, Ranked", "From the Archives: Christopher Lee dies at 93; screen star of 'Dracula' and 'Lord of the Rings', "Christopher Lee Talks Saruman in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", "Johnny Depp Retirement Saddens Christopher Lee", "New Documentary on DC Supervillains Announced: Necessary Evil to be narrated by Christopher Lee", "How to be Sherlock Holmes: The Many Faces of a Master Detective", "Web exclusive: Christopher Lee reads The Final Problem", "Christopher Lee and Uma Thurman attached to 9/11 drama set in Denmark", "The Lord of the Rings: Complete Songs and Poems (4-CD Box)", "My Music: 'It's been the greatest regret of my life: I still believe I was born to be an opera singer', "Sir Christopher Lee (27 May 1922-7 June 2015) From pen-pushing via a stake through the heart to Carmen, heavy metal, The Soldier's Tale and Peter & the Wolf", "Battle Hymns 2011 Born To Live Forevermore", "Christopher Lee Lands On Billboard Hot Singles Sales Chart With Heavy Metal Take On 'Jingle Bells', "Sir Christopher Lee's Metal Christmas is Upon Us Once More", "Christopher Lee makes heavy metal Don Quixote", "Christopher Lee Celebrates 92nd Birthday With Release of 'Metal Knight' EP", "Christopher Lee Delivers Heavy Metal Don Quixote", "92-Year-Old Actor Christopher Lee Offers Metal Christmas Song 'Darkest Carols, Faithful Sing', "Legendary Actor Christopher Lee Releases New Heavy Metal Single 'Darkest Carols, Faithful Sing', "See Johnny Depp, Alice Cooper, Joe Perry Jam With Rock Royalty", "Rhapsody of Fire Releases Lyric Video For New Song 'Master Of Peace', "Real life film stars who have put in an appearance", "Test Match Special #40from40: Sir Christopher Lee (02:13 and 21:55)", "The extraordinary career of Christopher Lee", "Christopher Lee: You Ask The Questions Profiles, People", "Sir Christopher Lee: Screen legend dies aged 93", "Christopher Lee dead: Legendary actor passes away at the age of 93", "Sir Christopher Lee dies at 93 latest reaction and tributes", "Christopher Lee: readers' tributes and memories", "Christopher Lee tributes led by Peter Jackson", "Christopher Lee dead: Lord of the Rings co-star Ian McKellen pays tribute to on-screen rival", "Sir Christopher Lee: tributes to 'titan of cinema', "Christopher Lee honoured in Oscars ceremony", "Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement", "Actor who made Count Dracula role his own". So when the time came I was ready Oddly enough, to play a character who said nothing [The Creature in The Curse of Frankenstein]. [98] He turned down the role of Dr. Barry Rumack (finally played by Leslie Nielsen) in the disaster spoof Airplane! Lee died in London of undisclosed causes, according to an official with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London, who spoke on condition of anonymity in keeping with the policies of the borough. A classical scholar in Greek and Latin at Wellington College, Lee worked as a shipping company office boy and messenger in London before serving in the Royal Air Force and spending time as an intelligence officer during World War II. His superiors praised his initiative, and he was seconded into the British South Africa Police and was posted as a warder at Salisbury Prison. Christopher Lee real name: Christopher Frank Carandini Lee Height: 6'4''(in feet & inches) 1.9304(m) 193.04(cm) , Birthdate(Birthday): May 27, 1922 , Age on June 7, 2015 (Death date): 93 Years 0 Months 11 Days Profession: Movies (Actor), Also working as: Singer, Author, Features: Light brown eyes and grey hair, Father: Geoffrey Trollope Lee, Mother: Estelle Marie Carandini di Sarzano, School . The heavy metal follow-up Charlemagne: The Omens of Death was released in 2013 on Lee's 91st birthday.