: He was knighted in 2009 for his contributions to drama and received the BAFTA Academy Fellowship in 2011. A Polymath's Life

: Beyond horror, he played the James Bond villain Francisco Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun (1974) and cited his role as Lord Summerisle in The Wicker Man (1973) as his favorite.

: He became an international star with Hammer Horror, most notably as Count Dracula (starting in 1958). He also played other classic monsters like the Frankenstein Monster and The Mummy .

Sir Christopher Lee (1922–2015) was a cinematic titan whose eight-decade career and "larger than life" personal history made him a unique cultural icon. Known for his imposing stature and sonorous voice , he appeared in close to 300 films, ranging from classic horror to modern blockbusters. The Iconic Actor

: In his late 70s and 80s, he reached a new generation of fans as the wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, and as Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Lee's filmography is defined by his legendary portrayal of villains, though he often fought against being pigeonholed as the "King of Horror."

Lee was famously described as having "completed every side quest in life." His real-world experiences often eclipsed his on-screen roles.

You might be cool, but you'll never be Christopher Lee cool 😎