Macabre Daily’s Horror Heroes: Christopher Lee
Sir Christopher Lee (2006)
We take a look at the seven-decade-long career of one of Horror’s most beloved and respected Icons, Sir Christopher Lee. He scared us as Dracula, mesmerized us as Saruman, and sang his heart out on a heavy metal album—that plus so much more below.
2025 is in full swing and with that comes a new chance to showcase a Horror Icon each month. Our first choice is one man whose career could be and has been, called “legendary” by many. Christopher Lee, an actor whose imposing presence and deep baritone voice became synonymous with some of the most iconic characters in film history and left an undeniable mark on cinema. With a nearly seven-decade career, Lee’s contributions to horror films, “The Lord of the Rings” franchise, his later collaborations with Tim Burton, and his unexpected venture into heavy metal music (which was awesome) showcase his versatility and enduring legacy.
Lee’s personal life before acting was that of legend. He served in the British military during World War II. He joined the Royal Air Force and worked as an intelligence officer, conducting missions in North Africa and Italy. He was a certified Nazi hunter and helped in the locating of war criminals. Christopher Lee’s life before acting could fill many a book and is even the subject of a BBC documentary. Our main focus today is Lee’s work in film. Let’s dive right into what makes Christopher Lee our choice for January’s Horror Icon.
The King of Horror
Christopher Lee’s rise to prominence began in the 1950s and 60s when he became a staple of Hammer Horror Films, a British film studio that was leaps and bounds ahead of anything happening here in America during those years. Surprisingly, Lee never attended a single day of acting school but slowly became a master of the medium by working on different plays and theater projects before finding work in film. He brought to life some of the most memorable monsters and villains, including Count Dracula in “Dracula” aka “Horror Of Dracula” (1958) for Hammer Studios.
Lee’s Dracula was both terrifying and charismatic, a complex portrayal that changed the game from how things were shown in earlier, more static renditions of the character. Yes, everyone loves Bela Lugosi as Dracula but Lee’s version had so much more power and charm. Christopher Lee went on to reprise the role at least 10 times in sequels, solidifying his reputation as one of cinema’s definitive Dracula performers and in all honesty, our favorite version of the character.
Lee’s work reaches far further than the depths of just Dracula’s castle. He portrayed Frankenstein’s monster in “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957), the Mummy in “The Mummy” (1959), and various other sinister figures for Hammer Studios. His tall stature, piercing eyes, and commanding voice made him an ideal fit for these roles, and he became a fan favorite among horror enthusiasts. You could even go so far as to say that if Lon Chaney was the “Man of a 1000 faces” for Universal Pictures, Christopher Lee was for sure the next best runner-up. During his time at Hammer Studios, Lee frequently collaborated with other iconic actors such as Peter Cushing, who often played opposite him as Dr. Frankenstein or Professor Van Helsing, and Vincent Price, another legend of the horror genre. Lee, Cushing, and Price could be considered the original horror triple threat. They could turn films into nightmarish reality with just a look or a nod. Truly, all three actors are undeniably horror royalty to many. As the years progressed, Lee would have a bumpy relationship with horror as the actor didn’t want to be typecast as just “Dracula” for the rest of his career. He became very critical of his later roles in Hammer films and when he was done working with the studio, Sir Christopher Lee once kindly said to an interviewer, “Please don’t describe me as a horror legend. I moved on from that.”
Watch The “HORROR OF DRACULA” Trailer Below
Despite his success, Lee was careful not to let himself be typecast. Venturing into the 70s he balanced his horror work with roles in other genres. He was even a James Bond villain in “The Man With The Golden Gun” but his contributions to gothic horror left an indelible legacy. Films like “The Wicker Man” (1973), where he played the enigmatic Lord Summerisle, demonstrated his ability to delve into psychological horror, proving that his talents went far beyond the supernatural. Lee was even approached to be in a little indie film in 1978 directed by a young John Carpenter. Yes, Christopher Lee turned down the role of Dr. Sam Loomis in John Carpenter’s HALLOWEEN. The role went to fellow British actor Donald Pleasance. Lee would later say that turning down the role was “The biggest mistake I’ve ever made of my career”. This just proves that Lee was a staple to the horror genre and even after stepping away from the genre, he was an actor desired for the presence he can bring to a character.
Saruman and the World of Middle-earth
Christopher Lee as Saruman in “The Fellowship Of The Ring”
There’s no question that Horror made Christopher Lee a star but his later role as Saruman in “The Lord Of The Rings” franchise, brought the actor to a whole new generation of fans. As soon as Lee arrives on screen in “The Two Towers” (2002), you can feel the weight he brings to the scene. Hearing his baritone voice and towering demeanor truly added to an already infamous character. Lee was so adamant about how Saruman would be portrayed on screen, he corrected and gave advice to director Peter Jackson many times during filming. Which you can check out below.
It’s been noted that Lee was the ONLY member of The Lord Of The Rings cast to actually meet author J. R.R. Tolkien. The story goes that Lee met Tolkien at a pub in the 1950s and had a brief discussion about his work. Lee’s performance was mesmerizing as Saruman and you could tell the actors dedication and devotion to the role was truly apparent. There is one scene from “The Two Towers” that gives us goosebumps, Lee’s voice is so commanding and just by the wave of his hand, commands tens of thousands, and you can check it out below.
“There will be no dawn for men.”
With the popularity of The Lord Of The Rings franchise, Lee went from a wizard to a Jedi all in the same year when he was also cast as Count Dooku for the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Lee was only in “The Clone Wars” and “Revenge Of The Sith” but would go on to voice Count Dooku in “The Clone Wars” animated series. This raised Lee into another universe, so to speak, as we all know, Star Wars fans are rabid and even more devoted than some LOTR fans so Lee’s legacy was safe in fandom for years to come. His portrayl as Dooku gave off a familiar yet dark and manipulation vibe that it made our skin crawl seeing Lee as Dooku grinning from ear to ear with evil intent in the film.
Final Collaborations And Heavy Metal
In his later career, Christopher Lee continued to wow audiences as his age progressed and became a long time collaborator with director Tim Burton. Lee worked on many of Burton’s film whether that be on screen as in “Sleepy Hollow” (The duo’s first collaboration) or just his dynamic voice like in "Corpse Bride" or "Alice in Wonderland" as the evil and menacing Jabberwocky. Tim Burton has often expressed his deep admiration for Christopher Lee. Reflecting on their collaborations, Burton remarked, "Christopher has been an enormous inspiration to me my entire life. I had the honor and pleasure to work with him on 5 films." He further elaborated, "The parts he played in my movies weren’t huge, but I just loved being around him. Even if it was small, I would ask him to do something, not only for me, but for the other actors. As soon as he came on, it brought an energy that made you realize why you liked making films." These collaborations showcased Lee's versatility and his seamless integration into Burton's whimsical and dark cinematic worlds. In 2011, BAFA awarded Christopher Lee with the “Fellowship” award and Tim Burton introduced the actor in a way that we only wish we could.
What many people didn’t expect from Christopher Lee, as he aged, was that the man was into Heavy Metal music. So much so that he recorded not one but 4 metal records. Two of those records, "Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross" (2010) and "Charlemagne: The Omens of Death" (2013) were based on one of Lee’s actual ancestors, Charlemagne. Yes, Christopher Lee is a direct descendant of the European ruler and totally rocked out on these records. Lee even did two heavy metal Christmas albums right before his passing. His version of "Jingle Bells," titled "Jingle Hell," charted on Billboard, making him the oldest living performer to achieve such a feat at 91.
These feats later on in Christopher Lee’s career underscore his enduring passion for storytelling and performance, leaving an indelible mark on both the cinematic and musical landscapes. When Lee passed away in 2015 at the age of 93, he left behind not just a body of work, but a legacy of excellence that continues to inspire actors, filmmakers, and fans alike. With over 250 films credited to him, his commanding presence, unforgettable performances, and deep reverence for the art of film ensure that his influence will endure for generations. It’s been 10 years since Lee’s passing but without Sir Christopher Lee, horror as we know it would not be the same, and the cinematic world may never again witness an actor of his singular stature.
Christopher Lee Films We Recommend
Dracula (1958): Lee’s first portrayal of Count Dracula in Terence Fisher’s Dracula was a defining moment. His commanding presence and nuanced performance redefined the vampire archetype.
The Curse of Frankenstein (1957): Lee’s performance as Frankenstein’s Creature, opposite Peter Cushing’s Dr. Frankenstein, revealed his physicality and talent for embodying monstrous yet tragic figures.
The Wicker Man (1973): In this folk horror masterpiece, Lee’s portrayal of Lord Summerisle demonstrated his ability to balance charm and sinister intent.
The Devil Rides Out (1968): Lee played the heroic Duc de Richleau, fighting a satanic cult in one of his rare roles as a protagonist.
Horror Express (1972): Set aboard a train, this sci-fi horror paired Lee with Peter Cushing as they battled an ancient evil.
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