Sad news today. Christopher Lee, “Lord of the Ring’s” Saruman and arguably the greatest vampire to ever grace the silver screen, has passed away at the age of 93.
Lee broke through as Frankenstein’s monster in Terrence Fisher’s horror classic, “The Curse of Frankenstein.” After an impressive run under a multitude of villain and monster roles between 1957 and the turn of the new century, Lee portrayed Count Dooku in the “Star Wars” installments of “Episode Two – Attack of the Clones” and “Episode Three – Revenge of the Sith.” Perhaps the role which best introduced him to today’s younger generation of movie lovers was “Lord of the Rings,” in which he was cast as the evil wizard, Saruman.
I grew up watching the gruesome movies created by Hammer Film Productions, the brash London-based production company who dared remake and reinvigorate the all-time horror classics of the early twentieth century. Christopher Lee became the staple Dracula for Hammer, redefining the role into something truly frightening.
It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to a true legend in the horror genre. Rest in Peace, Christopher Lee. I’ll see you on the other side.
