Christopher Lee remembered <br />hristopher Lee remembered <br />Sir Christopher Lee, the veteran actor and star of many of the world's biggest film franchises, has died aged 93. <br />The English-born actor, who made his name playing Dracula and Frankenstein in the Hammer horror films, appeared in more than 250 movies. <br />He was best-known for his villainous roles - including Scaramanga in James Bond and evil wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. <br />The actor's other credits include The Wicker Man and Star Wars. <br />The actor is reported to have died on Sunday at Chelsea and Westminster hospital in London, after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure. <br />A Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council spokesman said: "We can confirm that the Register Office issued a death certificate for Mr Christopher Lee on Monday 8 June, Mr Lee died on Sunday 7 June." <br />He was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and charity and was awarded a Bafta fellowship in 2011. <br />"We are deeply saddened to hear that Sir Christopher Lee has passed away," the British Film Institute (BFI) tweeted, as the news broke on Thursday. <br />His Lord Of The Rings co-star Dominic Monaghan said: "So, so sorry to hear that Christopher Lee has passed away. He was a fascinating person." <br />Actor Reece Shearsmith said: "Very upset to learn that Sir Christopher Lee has passed away. An amazing gentleman who brought us so many iconic roles. He will be missed." <br />Broadcaster Jonathan Ross said: "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." <br />Born into affluence in London in 1922, Sir Christopher traced his lineage to Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor. <br />After public school he served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War, where he was mentioned in dispatches. <br />His screen career began when he joined the Rank Organisation in 1947, training as an actor in their so-called "charm school".
