Movie icon Christopher Lee dies, aged 93

Actor Sir Christopher Lee, known for his role as Count Dracula in the Hammer Horror films, has died at the age of 93 according to reports.
By The Newsroom
Published 11th Jun 2015, 15:41 BST
Sir Christopher Lee has died aged 93Sir Christopher Lee has died aged 93
Sir Christopher Lee has died aged 93

The veteran actor had been admitted to hospital with respiratory problems and heart failure, and died on Sunday morning at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, according to sources.

He began acting in the 1940s, but it wasn’t until the late 1950s that his career took off, thanks to his starring roles in Hammer Horror films, starting with The Curse of Frankenstein - the first of 20 films he made along with Peter Cushing.

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Best known for his portrayal of Count Dracula, the 6ft 5in actor also appeared in The Wicker Man - which he considered among his best films - as Lord Summerisle, and also had roles in The Lord of the Rings series as Saruman, Star Wars as Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus and Sleepy Hollow.

He was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Lord Summerisle, and picked up gongs for his work on both Star Wars and Lord of the Rings.

He also released four death metal albums, and became the oldest living performer to enter the music charts at the age of 91 years and six months with Christmas single ‘Jingle Hell’, released in December 2013.

He is survived by his wife Birgit. The pair married in 1961.

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