
Christopher Lee, the British actor who mastered horror roles before his turns as a James Bond villain and the wizard Saruman in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, died Sunday, June 7, a London borough spokesman said. The actor was 93.

Lee, pictured in 1948, initially made a name for himself in British horror films. His career spanned nearly seven decades.

Lee plays the monster in the 1957 film "The Curse of Frankenstein" with Peter Cushing and Robert Urquhart.

In 1958, Lee first plays the vampire Count Dracula in "Horror of Dracula."

Peter Cushing attempts to kill Lee in the 1959 film "The Mummy."

Lee stars in 1966's "The Brides of Fu Manchu."

Lee, second from left, stands by as Queen Elizabeth II greets French actress Catherine Deneuve in 1966. Also present, from left, are Ursula Andress, Woody Allen and Raquel Welch. Lee was named a knight of the British Empire in 2009.

Lee plays Lord Summerisle in the 1973 horror cult classic "The Wicker Man."

In 1974, Lee takes on the role of Bond villain Francisco Scaramanga in "The Man With the Golden Gun."

Lee appears with his wife, Gitte, in Los Angeles, circa 1985.

Lee tries to throw a gremlin off his arm in the 1990 film "Gremlins 2: The New Batch."

Lee plays the evil Saruman in 2001's "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."

In 2002, Lee plays Count Dooku, also known as Darth Tyranus, in "Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones."

Johnny Depp greets Lee at the London premiere of "Alice in Wonderland" in 2010. Lee voiced the Jabberwocky in the Tim Burton film.

Director Tim Burton presents Lee with the Academy Fellowship, a lifetime achievement award, at the British Academy Film Awards in 2011.


