While countless Hollywood celebrities paid tribute to Sir Christopher Lee on Thursday, Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson took his time to write a passionate tribute to the beloved actor and World War II veteran.
Last night, Jackson wrote a full letter on Facebook, recalling Lee’s incredible life, even before he was in films. Whenever Jackson visited Lee in London, he was always ready to share his stories of serving in World War II or making the iconic Hammer Horror films. He’d even talk about working with Tim Burton. “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,” Jackson wrote.
Jackson helped introduce Lee to a whole new generation of moviegoers by casting him as Saruman in his adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien novels. Lee even made appearances in the Hobbit movies.
“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,” Jackson wrote. “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.”
Jackson wrote that the world will be a “lesser place without him,” adding, “My deepest sympathies to Gitte and to his family and friends.”
Lee died on June 7 and the news broke Thursday morning. You can check out other Hollywood tributes to him right here.
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