The world has been mourning Sir Christopher Lee, whose death was announced Thursday morning. Now, Peter Jackson has released a heartwarming tribute.

Sir Christopher Lee passed away last Sunday in London, at the age of 93.

His extraordinary life saw him fight Nazis in World War II, become the face of Dracula, antagonize James Bond, and of course immortalize J.R.R. Tolkien’s Saruman on the big screen.

Lee played Saruman in five out of the six Middle-Earth films directed by Peter Jackson. He was the only Lord of the Rings cast member who’d personally met Tolkien — at the time, Tolkien even gave Lee his blessing to play Gandalf!

Although we mourn the loss of Christopher Lee, we also remember him fondly. He lived a long, full life, and probably accomplished more than any of us will ever hope to.

And that’s very much the tone of Sir Peter Jackson’s Facebook tribute to the iconic actor.

Jackson writes,

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.

Read more social media tributes to Sir Christopher Lee from his friends and colleagues.