Legendary British actor Christopher Lee received the British Film Institute fellowship, the highest honor the group hands out.
Lee, 91, received the award Saturday night during the 57th BFI London Film Festival, reports the Telegraph.
“It is a great privilege to be included amongst such a distinguished group of predecessors who have received this award,” the actor, who has appeared in over 200 films during his career, said.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Depp showed up to share some kind words about “a great man, a very great man indeed.” The Lone Ranger actor has appeared in several Tim Burton films with Lee, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sleepy Hollow.
“It was certainly a childhood dream come true” to work with Lee, Depp said. He called Lee a “national treasure” and “a true artist.” He finished his speech by selling Lee, “I love you.”
Lee was visibly emotional when he took the stage. “Johnny, I don't know what to say. I didn't know you were going to be here. It is a very emotional moment for me as you can probably hear,” he said.
Lee rose up the ranks of the British film industry starring as villains in Hammer horror films. Recently, Lee has worked with Burton and also took roles in franchises like Star Wars and The Lord of the Rings. In 2009, he was knighted. He also served during World War II.
image: Avda/Wikimedia Commons
