Sir Christopher Lee, the screen legend famous for his roles in Count Dracula, Saruman in Lord of the Rings and Star Wars died in hospital at 8.30 a.m. on Sunday at the age of 93. The death certificate confirms that he passed away at Chelsea and Westminster hospital after suffering from respiratory problems.

A charismatic actor, he was ideal for chilling portrayals of sinister, satanic and sexy characters that women found erotic.

Eager to take new roles until the end, with 12 different movies within 13 months when he turned 71 in 1990 – the year he underwent open heart surgery.

His only regret was not becoming an opera singer, but his voice was heard on various animated films such as Uncle Drosselmeyer in Nutcracker Fantasy (1979) and King Haggard in The Last Unicorn (1980). In 2010, he released an album of his own, “Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross”, followed two years later by “Charlemagne: The Omens of Death.”

Lee was born on May 27, 1922, in Belgravia London, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel Geoffrey Trollope-Lee. His father was heroic, but later in life Lee claimed that his father descended from a band of gypsies. His parents divorced when he was four and he grew up in his wealthy stepfather’s home. An accomplished scholar he could speak Italian, French, Spanish, Germany, Russian, Swedish, Danish and Greek.

His first job was as a city messenger, licking stamps and making tea, but joined the RAF during WWII where he won six campaign medals. He made his film debut with a bit part in Corridor of Mirrors in 1948.