Actor Christopher Lee, who I’m pretty sure is the only Commander of the Order of the British Empire to release a heavy metal Christmas album, passed away on Sunday at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. He was 93 years old. Best known for his roles in the Lord of the Rings film series, Star Wars prequels, and for playing Dracula multiple times, including 1973’s The Satanic Rites of Dracula, Lee had an impressively lengthy, cross-genre career.
Reluctant to think of himself as a star, the modest actor was also reticent about his Second World War record as a member of the Special Operations Executive. “I was attached to the SAS from time to time but we are forbidden – former, present, future – to discuss any specific operations. Let’s just say I was in Special Forces and leave it at that.”
He married his wife, Birgit, known as Gitte, in 1961 and they had a daughter, Christina. Asked for the secret of a long-lived marriage, he replied: “Marry someone wonderful.” (Via)
Star Wars. Lord of the Rings. A James Bond villain in The Man with the Golden Gun. Dozens of horror movies. Heavy metal. Sir Lee lived the dream of every 16-year-old for his entire life.
Not a bad way to make a living. R.I.P.
(Via Telegraph)
