Christopher Lee (1922-2015)
Dearest movie lovers, it has come to my attention that I regret to inform you that English acting thespian Christopher Lee was now dead at the age of 93 on June 7th, 2015. He was renowned for playing such villainous leads as Count Dracula in the Hammer Horror series, Scaramanga in "The Man With The Golden Gun", Saruman in both trilogies of "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" and Count Dooku in the last two prequels of "Star Wars". Because of his versatility in portraying menacing types such as a vampire, an assassin, a sorcerer and a Sith Lord, Lee displayed these distinctive talents and has a deep baritone to make the villains sound brooding and antagonistic.
Before working in his acting, Lee made his debut in 1948 in minor, supporting and uncredited bit roles such as the spear carrier in Laurence Oliver's version of "Hamlet". Then, in 1952, he came through his breakthrough role in John Huston's movie adaptation of "Moulin Rouge". In 1957, Lee joined the studio Hammer and began playing famous monsters, such as Frankenstein, with Peter Cushing as his co-star in the film, leading Lee to portray the legendary vampire Dracula in the next year and more movies until 1972. This ongoing contract with Hammer Films would last less than a decade until his contract came to its expiration. Aside from several of the roles he has done with the production company, Hammer, Chris has other films outside the studio like the "Fu Manchu" series, "I, Monster", "The Creeping Flesh", and "The Wicker Man" (which he considered the latter to be a personal favourite of his). During the mid-1970s, Lee got cast in what was to be the ninth movie of the James Bond franchise.
He had once been considered for the role of Dr. No in the title movie years ago and is related to the series author Ian Fleming. Lee finally portrays one of Bond's nemeses as the deadly assassin, Francisco Scaramanga, in "The Man With The Golden Gun". His performance and character have the charisma and the skill he rivals with his arch-foe. Lee would eventually move away from England to America in 1977 with his friend Peter Cushing while still in the film acting business before moving back in later years near the end of his life. Christopher Lee was a frequent collaborator with Tim Burton, appearing with Johnny Depp in films such as "Sleepy Hollow", "Corpse Bride", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and "Alice in Wonderland" as well as a small part in "Dark Shadows". In the 2000s, Lee enjoyed a career resurrection as the dark wizard Saruman in the film trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings" and as separatist leader Count Dooku in the final two Star Wars prequels, "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith" before voicing the same character in the pilot animation "The Clone Wars". Lee appeared in "Hugo" as the librarian and reprised his old character Saruman in the first and final movies of "The Hobbit" prequel series.
That is why I miss Christopher Lee and his voice. God may rest your soul as those who will pay tribute to your acting virtuosity;-(
Before working in his acting, Lee made his debut in 1948 in minor, supporting and uncredited bit roles such as the spear carrier in Laurence Oliver's version of "Hamlet". Then, in 1952, he came through his breakthrough role in John Huston's movie adaptation of "Moulin Rouge". In 1957, Lee joined the studio Hammer and began playing famous monsters, such as Frankenstein, with Peter Cushing as his co-star in the film, leading Lee to portray the legendary vampire Dracula in the next year and more movies until 1972. This ongoing contract with Hammer Films would last less than a decade until his contract came to its expiration. Aside from several of the roles he has done with the production company, Hammer, Chris has other films outside the studio like the "Fu Manchu" series, "I, Monster", "The Creeping Flesh", and "The Wicker Man" (which he considered the latter to be a personal favourite of his). During the mid-1970s, Lee got cast in what was to be the ninth movie of the James Bond franchise.
He had once been considered for the role of Dr. No in the title movie years ago and is related to the series author Ian Fleming. Lee finally portrays one of Bond's nemeses as the deadly assassin, Francisco Scaramanga, in "The Man With The Golden Gun". His performance and character have the charisma and the skill he rivals with his arch-foe. Lee would eventually move away from England to America in 1977 with his friend Peter Cushing while still in the film acting business before moving back in later years near the end of his life. Christopher Lee was a frequent collaborator with Tim Burton, appearing with Johnny Depp in films such as "Sleepy Hollow", "Corpse Bride", "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", and "Alice in Wonderland" as well as a small part in "Dark Shadows". In the 2000s, Lee enjoyed a career resurrection as the dark wizard Saruman in the film trilogy of "The Lord of the Rings" and as separatist leader Count Dooku in the final two Star Wars prequels, "Attack of the Clones" and "Revenge of the Sith" before voicing the same character in the pilot animation "The Clone Wars". Lee appeared in "Hugo" as the librarian and reprised his old character Saruman in the first and final movies of "The Hobbit" prequel series.
That is why I miss Christopher Lee and his voice. God may rest your soul as those who will pay tribute to your acting virtuosity;-(
Hi Film Guru Lad,
ReplyDeleteThats tragic news, I did not know Christopher Lee had passed away until I read your review. I also did not realise he was 93, that's impressive. He must have really looked after himself. I have only ever seen him in LOTR trilogy as I have not seen Star Wars or his other films which you mentioned. Except for Golden Gun but it has been many years since seing that and I don't remember his character. I think he was a very talented actor and that he will be missed by many fans around the world. Keep up the good work Film Guru Lad.