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Screen icon Christopher Lee dead at 93

British screen icon Christopher Lee has died aged 93.

The London-born actor - who was best known for his role as Count Dracula in a string of popular Hammer Horror movies - died in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital after being treated for respiratory problems, his family confirmed.

In addition to his starring role as Count Dracula, Sir Christopher appeared in numerous other high profile parts, including Francisco Scaramanga in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun and Saruman in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Christopher Lee as Dracula
Christopher Lee as Dracula

The Brit was, in fact, among the highest grossing actors of all time and won a string of awards during his career, including the BAFTA Fellowship in 2011 and the BFI Fellowship in 2013.

Christopher - who was knighted for services to drama and charity in 2009 - married Danish model Birgit 'Gitte' Kroencke in 1961 and the decision to delay the announcement of his death was because Birgit wanted to inform family members first.

The couple have one child together, daughter Christina Erika Carandini Lee, who was born in 1963.

Remembering Christopher Lee's Most Iconic Roles

Lee’s film career began in 1947, making his debut in Terrence Young’s ‘Corridor of Mirrors’ but it was his relationship with British horror stable Hammer that would establish his career for the coming decades.

Roger Moore leads tributes to Christopher Lee

Sir Roger Moore is "terribly sad" to have lost one of his "oldest friends" Sir Christopher Lee.

He tweeted: "It's terribly (sad) when you lose a friend. And Christopher Lee was one of my oldest. We first met in 1948."

Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins alongside Lee's Lord Saruman in the 'Lord of the Rings' franchise, tweeted that the actor would be profoundly missed as an "icon, and a towering human being with stories for days."

He added: "he loved to regale everyone with his various and many extraordinary experiences.(sic)"

And Jonathan Ross who interviewed the late actor many times, wrote: "So sad to hear that Sir Christopher Lee has died. A great actor, a great star, a surprisingly good singer and a lovely lovely man."


Christopher Lee Quotes That Prove He was a True Artist