Christopher Lee
Popular As Christopher Frank Carandini Lee
Birth Sign Gemini
Birthplace Belgravia, London, England
DEATH DATE 2015-6-7, Chelsea, London, England (93 years old)
Nationality United Kingdom
Height 6′ 5″
#808 Most Popular
ABOUT
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee (27 May 1922 – 7 June 2015) was an English actor, singer, and author. With a career spanning over seven decades, Lee became renowned for portraying villains and anti-heroes in numerous iconic films. He is particularly famous for his roles as Count Dracula in a series of Hammer Horror films, Scaramanga in "The Man with the Golden Gun," and Saruman in the "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies.
BEFORE FAME
Christopher Lee was born in Belgravia, London, to Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Trollope Lee and Contessa Estelle Marie (née Carandini di Sarzano). He received his education at Summer Fields School and later attended Wellington College. During World War II, Lee served in the Royal Air Force and the Special Operations Executive. His military achievements include being mentioned in dispatches for gallantry.
TRIVIA
Known for his deep, mesmerizing voice, Christopher Lee also cultivated a career in music, releasing several symphonic metal albums in his later years. He has the distinction of holding the world record for most screen credits for a living actor, with over 275 film and television appearances. An avid Tolkien fan, Lee was the only member of the "Lord of the Rings" cast to have met J.R.R. Tolkien in person.
FAMILY LIFE
Christopher Lee was married to Danish painter and former model Birgit "Gitte" Krøncke Lee from 1961 until his death in 2015. The couple had one daughter, Christina Erika Carandini Lee, born in 1963. Lee's lineage includes Italian nobility, tracing back to Emperor Charlemagne.
ASSOCIATED WITH
Throughout his illustrious career, Christopher Lee worked with many notable filmmakers and actors. He frequently collaborated with director Terence Fisher and starred alongside Peter Cushing in numerous Hammer Horror films. In his later years, Lee appeared under the direction of Peter Jackson and George Lucas, contributing to blockbuster franchises like "The Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars." Lee's legacy continues to influence actors and filmmakers who cherish his contributions to the cinematic arts.
