Christopher Lee dead at 93
Actor was known for Lord of the Rings, horror roles
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PUBLISHED: 15:52 JUNE 11, 2015http://gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/1.505033.1416608227!/image/4082513255.png_gen/derivatives/box_16223/4082513255.pngSTAFF REPORT
Actor Sir Christopher Lee has died at the age of 93 after being hospitalized for respiratory problems and heart failure, British media reported on Thursday afternoon.
The veteran actor is best known for his Hammer Horror roles, including Dracula, and for his commanding performance as Saruman in the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogy. He also played Count Dooku, in the Star Wars prequels.
He died on Sunday morning at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, reported the Guardian, and the news was released today because his wife, Birgit Kroencke, wanted to inform family members first. The couple had been married for over 50 years.
Lee also released a series of heavy metal albums, including Charlemagne: The Omens of Death. He was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and charity and was awarded the Bafta fellowship in 20011.
His film career started in 1947 with a role in gothic romance Corridor of Mirrors and bloomed in the late 50s, when Lee worked with Hammer; his first role with the studio was The Curse of Frankenstein, the first of 20 films that he made with Peter Cushing.
Lee still has one film yet to be released, the fantasy film Angels in Notting Hill.
