Sir Christopher Lee was born on this day 104 years ago.
Here are just some of his achievements throughout his life:
* WWII veteran who served in the Royal Air Force and Special Operations during World War II
* Knighted in 2009 by Queen Elizabeth II for services to drama and charity
* One of the most prolific actors in history, with nearly 300 screen credits
* Became a horror icon through Hammer Films, especially as Dracula
* Played Count Dooku in Star Wars
* Played Saruman
* Worked with legendary directors including Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Tim Burton, and Martin Scorsese
* Fluent in several languages, including English, Italian, French, German, and Spanish
* Guinness World Record holder at one point for most screen credits by a living actor
* Released symphonic metal albums
* Was related to Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond (reportedly the inspiration behind the character)
* Personally met J.R.R. Tolkien and was the only cast member from The Lord of the Rings to have done so
* Known for performing many of his own sword-fighting scenes and stunts even at an older age
* Became one of the defining cinematic villains of all time across fantasy, horror, and sci-fi genres
Rest easy legend.
Pope Leo quotes Gandalf in encyclical debut:
“It is not our part to master all the tides of the world, but to do what is in us for the succour of those years wherein we are set, uprooting the evil in the fields that we know, so that those who live after may have clean earth to till.”