LOTR Director Peter Jackson Posts A Touching Tribute To His Friend Christopher Lee

LOTR Director Peter Jackson Posts A Touching Tribute To His Friend Christopher Lee

Since we heard the sad news of the passing of legendary actor Christopher Lee yesterday morning, tributes have been pouring in from all corners. Here is a lovely eulogy from Peter Jackson, who worked with Lee on 5 of the Middle Earth movies and came to know him quite well...

By MarkCassidy - Jun 12, 2015 05:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Other
Source: Facebook
We lost one of the last great icons of cinema when Sir Christopher Lee left us this past Sunday. Since his death was made public yesterday, the internet has been flooded with tributes from those that either knew him personally or that his great work over the years had touched in some way.

Peter Jackson worked closely with Lee on 5 of the 6 movies in his Middle Earth saga and the two became good friends. The director posted the following to his Facebook page today.



"It is with tremendous sadness that I learnt of the passing of Sir Christopher Lee. He was 93 years old, had not been in his usual good health for some time, but his spirit remained, as always, indomitable.

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. One of my favourite things to do whenever I came to London would be to visit with Christopher and Gitte where he would regale me for hours with stories about his extraordinary life. I loved to listen to them and he loved to tell them - they were made all the more compelling because they were true - stories from his time with the SAS, through the Second World War, to the Hammer Horror years and later, his work with Tim Burton - of which he was enormously proud.

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.

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. There will never be another Christopher Lee. He has a unique place in the history of cinema and in the hearts of millions of fans around the world.

The world will be a lesser place without him in it.

My deepest sympathies to Gitte and to his family and friends.

Rest in peace, Chris.

An icon of cinema has passed into legend."
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AbhiShake
AbhiShake - 6/12/2015, 5:50 AM
Rest in Peace
nordberg
nordberg - 6/12/2015, 5:52 AM
I refuse to believe he's dead. He's just resting until someone gives him a drink.

Kyos
Kyos - 6/12/2015, 5:54 AM
SuperCat
SuperCat - 6/12/2015, 6:04 AM
<<<<<<<

TomSolo
TomSolo - 6/12/2015, 6:05 AM
@ckal... I hear you man. What this man did with his life was extraordinary. Truly beyond words. As a child, I was enthralled with horror films (much to my father's dismay). It was always a thrill to turn on those late night horror movie shows and see him in the movie of the week, usually alongside Peter Cushing. It's a shame that many Americans have not experienced his greatness in films where he was in a starring role. He brought such a presence and dedication to his craft that is not often seen and even rarely appreciated by the masses. Mr. Lee KILLED IT as Saurumon... He was excellent as Count Dooku (can you imagine if that role would have been written better?)... These are the roles for which most of my fellow Americans know him. If you have not seen him in Dracula, the Curse of Frankenstein, the Wicker Man (not that Nic Cage sh!t)... Do yourself a favor and check them out. Lee's work, like the man, is truly legendary.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 6/12/2015, 6:11 AM
Rest In Peace to a legend.
Bulldawg2014
Bulldawg2014 - 6/12/2015, 6:22 AM
my favorite story I've ever heard about Christopher Lee is that when he was filming his LOTR death scene that made it into the extended edition of ROTK Peter Jackson asked him to imagine what noise a man might make when stabbed in the back. Lee looked him dead in the eye and said "I do not have to imagine".
Killuminatic
Killuminatic - 6/12/2015, 6:36 AM


😢
LEVITIKUZ
LEVITIKUZ - 6/12/2015, 6:57 AM
I never was much of a Lord of the Rings fans, still need to see all of those films but they are freaking long, but was I the only one who thought Lee's Dooku was the biggest badass of the Star Wars prequels? I loved his Dooku, his Dracula, and more.

Space
Space - 6/12/2015, 7:29 AM
That made me tear up, that was beautiful Mr. Jackson. RIP Christopher Lee amazing actor simply fantastic.
PapaEmeritus
PapaEmeritus - 6/12/2015, 7:30 AM
"Legendary" is the right word to describe him.
BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 6/12/2015, 7:46 AM
Well said.
JoeMomma29
JoeMomma29 - 6/12/2015, 8:15 AM
Yeah the dude was a genius!
MyNameIsKhan
MyNameIsKhan - 6/12/2015, 8:22 AM
RIP YOU MAY BE GONE BUT YOUR PRESENCE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED
Dredd97
Dredd97 - 6/12/2015, 8:49 AM
@LEVI I thought I was the only Dooku defender! He was awesome, because he had a sort of class about him other Sith did not.
Dredd97
Dredd97 - 6/12/2015, 8:50 AM
Great tribute Jackson. RIP to a wonderful actor.
Danbojohnj
Danbojohnj - 6/12/2015, 9:05 AM
Nice of PJ.
darthgeekboy
darthgeekboy - 6/12/2015, 9:15 AM
he was a member of the BRITISH SPECIAL FORCES.............a true BADASS.


he has lived a full and wonderful life. i'm sad for him for only one thing...........for being part of that CRAPTACULAR known as the SW prequels.
BlackIceJoe
BlackIceJoe - 6/12/2015, 9:39 AM
That was a great tribute to Christopher. I never knew he was part of the Special Air Sevice, that's pretty cool. Great man, and will be missed.
Facade
Facade - 6/12/2015, 2:31 PM
True legend...RIP.
RVD420
RVD420 - 6/12/2015, 3:16 PM
What a wonderfully written, and heartfelt tribute.

R.I.P. Mr. Lee
bropous
bropous - 6/12/2015, 5:46 PM
Requiescat in Pace, Sir.
McGee
McGee - 6/12/2015, 7:42 PM
RIP

niknik
niknik - 6/12/2015, 8:30 PM
Oh yeah. Christopher Lee. That weird guy on Taxi. Loved him in Back to the Future.
Necrophobos
Necrophobos - 6/13/2015, 12:43 AM
@McGee What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you post a picture of C. Lloyd, knowing full well he is still alive? He may be born in 1938, but he is still alive.
darkraven
darkraven - 6/13/2015, 3:52 AM
Christopher lee was a brilliant actor and had such profound impact on my childhood. I remember staying up late every Friday night to watch his old Dracula movies, or I would pester my parents to take me to the drive in theatres to watch his films, only to be scare out of my mind. I remember not being able to sleep for days. I actually believed he was the real thing. That is what a great actor does, they have the power to make you believe the unbelievable. What a wonderful gift, thank you for the fond memories. RIP, you will be missed.
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