Aged 93, Sir Christopher Lee, veteran actor and worldwide star of some of the world's biggest film franchises is reported to have died after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure.
The English-born actor, who made his name playing Dracula and Frankenstein's monster in the Hammer horror films, appeared in more than 250 movies.
He was best-known for his villainous roles - including Scaramanga in James Bond and evil wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. The actor's other credits include The Wicker Man and Star Wars.
The actor is reported to have died on Sunday at Chelsea and Westminster hospital in London, after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure.
A Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council spokesman said: "We can confirm that the Register Office issued a death certificate for Mr Christopher Lee on Monday 8 June, Mr Lee died on Sunday 7 June."
He was knighted in 2009 for services to drama and charity and was awarded a Bafta fellowship in 2011.
One of the first to pay tribute was James Bond actor Roger Moore, who tweeted: "It's terribly [sad] when you lose an old friend, and Christopher Lee was one of my oldest. We first met in 1948."
George Takei took to Facebook posting: "The world has lost a great actor. I remember him not only as the turncoat wizard Saruman in the LOTR movies (which he played until he was past 90) and as Count Dooku in the Star Wars franchise, but for his roles in Dracula, as an evil James Bond villain, and in the Curse of Frankenstein many decades ago. Because of his villainous portrayals on-screen, fewer knew about his other passions--a love for rock music (he had his own heavy metal band) and his tireless devotion to charity and the advancement of the dramatic arts, for which he was knighted in 2009. What a varied and wondrous career. Go to light up the heavens now, Mr. Lee. Bravo for a life well lived and a career we shall remember."
