“Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson thinks “the world will be a lesser place without” Christopher Lee in it.
The filmmaker who cast the recently deceased actor as Saruman in the blockbuster franchise based on J.R.R. Tolkien literature shared a heartfelt, and lengthy tribute to the actor on Facebook.
Jackson, who also worked with Lee on two of “The Hobbit” movies, wrote about being captivated by Lee’s presence while listening to stories about the life and career of an icon who became a friend.
“I grew up loving Christopher Lee movies. For most of my life I was enthralled by the great iconic roles he not only created – but continued to own decades later,” Jackson wrote. “But somewhere along the way Christopher Lee suddenly, and magically, dissolved away and he became my friend, Chris. And I loved Chris even more.”
“He was a true gentleman, in an era that no longer values gentleman,” Jackson wrote before concluding, “There will never be another Christopher Lee. He has a unique place in the history of cinema and in the hearts of millions of fans around the world. The world will be a lesser place without him in it.”
The prolific character actor passed away June 7 after being admitted to a U.K. hospital for respiratory problems and heart failure. He was 93.
He is also known for his portrayals of Count Dooku in the “Star Wars” franchise and Dracula in ten films spanning nearly twenty years.
Read Jackson’s full post below:
It is with tremendous sadness that I learnt of the passing of Sir Christopher Lee. He was 93 years old, had not been in his usual good health for some time, but his spirit remained, as always, indomitable.
Christopher spoke seven languages; he was in every sense, a man of the world; well versed in art, politics, literature, history and science. He was scholar, a singer, an extraordinary raconteur and of course, a marvelous actor. One of my favourite things to do whenever I came to London would be to visit with Christopher and Gitte where he would regale me for hours with stories about his extraordinary life. I loved to listen to them and he loved to tell them – they were made all the more compelling because they were true – stories from his time with the SAS, through the Second World War, to the Hammer Horror years and later, his work with Tim Burton – of which he was enormously proud.
I was lucky enough to work with Chris on five films all told and it never ceased to be a thrill to see him on set. I remember him saying on my 40th Birthday (he was 80 at the time), “You’re half the man I am”. Being half the man Christopher Lee is, is more than I could ever hope for. He was a true gentleman, in an era that no longer values gentleman.
I grew up loving Christopher Lee movies. For most of my life I was enthralled by the great iconic roles he not only created – but continued to own decades later. But somewhere along the way Christopher Lee suddenly, and magically, dissolved away and he became my friend, Chris. And I loved Chris even more.
There will never be another Christopher Lee. He has a unique place in the history of cinema and in the hearts of millions of fans around the world.
The world will be a lesser place without him in it.
My deepest sympathies to Gitte and to his family and friends.
Rest in peace, Chris.
An icon of cinema has passed into legend.