Tall And Talented: 10 Christopher Lee Facts

Sir Christopher Lee may be best known for playing Dracula, wizard Saruman and Bond villain Scaramanga but here are ten unusual facts you may not know about the legendary actor.

1. During World War II Sir Christopher Lee joined the RAF and worked alongside the SAS although what he did is still unknown as his actions remain classified. Lee never elaborated on any of the details. He retired from the RAF after the end of the war with the rank of Flight Lieutenant.

2. Sir Christopher was the only Lord Of The Rings cast member who met JRR Tolkien in person. He was a young man when he met the author in a pub. Lee was a huge fan and, star-struck, could apparently only manage to say: "How do you do?"

3. The actor would re-read The Lord Of The Rings every year.

4. He appeared in two films which won best picture Oscars, Hamlet in 1948 and The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King, in 2003. He is the only actor to appear in two films, released more than 50 years apart, which both won best picture.

5. Sir Christopher was also a step-cousin of Ian Fleming, author of the James Bond spy novels. He played the villain Scaramanga in the Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun.

6. He was knighted for services to drama in 2009 and was awarded the BAFTA fellowship in 2011.

7. In the last decade of his life, he moved into heavy metal and in December 2013 became the oldest living performer to enter the music charts , at 91 years and 6 months. The song, which went to number 18 in the Billboard Charts, was entitled Jingle Hell.

8. His imposing height of 6 feet 5 inches tall made him one of the tallest actors in the world.

9. He was also one of the most prolific actors with more than 250 film credits to his name.

10. Sir Christopher was a champion fencer and this skill no doubt came in handy for his screen work. It is believed he has appeared in more on-screen sword duels than any other actor.