RIP Sir Christopher Lee 1922 - 2015
RIP Sir Christopher Lee, known as the master of horror, has died at
the age of 93 after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and
heart failure.
The veteran actor, immortalised in films from Dracula
to The Wicker Man, and via James Bond villainy to the Lord of the Rings
trilogy, died at 8.30am on Sunday morning at Chelsea and Westminster
Hospital in London.
His wife, the former Danish model Birgit
Kroencke, decided to hold back the information for four days until all
family members and friends were informed. The couple had been married
for more than 50 years and had one daughter, Christina.
The actor was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and charity, and was awarded the Bafta fellowship in 2011.
News
of his death prompted an outpouring of grief from actors, musicians,
and even the prime minister; all paid tribute to Lee’s great talent.
Tim Burton, the director who worked with Lee on five films, described him as “a true legend”.
“Christopher
has been an enormous inspiration to me my entire life. I had the honour
and pleasure to work with him on five films (Sleepy Hollow, Charlie And
The Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Alice In Wonderland and Dark
Shadows),” he said.
“He was the last of his kind - a true legend -
who I’m fortunate to have called a friend. He will continue to inspire
me and I’m sure countless others for generations to come.”
Leading
the tributes online were his Lord of the Rings co-stars Dominic
Monaghan and Elijah Wood, as well as Sir Roger Moore, who played 007
opposite Lee in The Man With The Golden Gun.
