(Sir) Christopher Frank Carandini Lee was born on the 27th May 1922 in Belgravia, London, England, and died on the 7th June 2015 in Chelsea, London. He was best known as an actor, who starred in a number of films and TV series, including his role as Saruman in “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy, and playing Count Dooku in “The Star Wars” trilogy, as well as Count Dracula among many others. His career was active from 1946 to 2015.
Have you ever wondered how rich was Christopher Lee? According to sources, it was estimated that Lee’s net worth was $25 million at the time of his death. This sum of money was accumulated not only through his successful acting career, but also his work as a musician.
Christopher Lee Net Worth $25 Million
Christopher Lee was born to Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Trollope Lee and Countess Estelle Marie. As his parents divorced when he was six years old, he moved with his mother to Switzerland, where he got his first role at Miss Fisher’s Academy. Later they returned to London, where he continued studies at Wagner’s private school in Queen’s Gate. Then he attended Summer Fields School, after which he enrolled at Wellington College, but didn’t graduate as he started working as a clerk in London companies. Anyway, soon after in 1939 he signed himself into the Royal Air Force during WWII in which, being medically unfit for flying, he spent as an intelligence officer in Africa and Europe.
Christopher`s acting career began upon his return to London in 1946 from the military service, securing roles in the TV series “Kaleidoscope” (1946-1947), and before the 1950s, his name became recognized in the film industry, appearing in films such as “A Song for Tomorrow” (1948), “Scott of the Antarctic” (1948), and “The Gay Lady” (1949), all of which increased his net worth.
During the 1950s, his career reached whole new level, which only increased further his net worth, and popularity as well. He appeared in productions such as “Valley of the Eagles” (1951), “Storm Over the Nile” (1955), and “The Curse of Frankenstein” (1957). Furthermore, in 1958, his career changed even more for the better, when he was selected for the role of Count Dracula in the film “Horror of Dracula”, which role he reprised in eight more films over 18 years. This portrayal of the most famous vampire increased Christopher`s net worth by a large degree. To speak further of his roles in 1950s, he featured in films such as “The Mummy” (1959) and in “The Hound of the Baskervilles” (1959).
During the 1960s, he began to appear in more notable roles, including as Sherlock Holmes in “Sherlock Holmes and the Deadly Necklace” (1962), then Fu Manchu in the film “The Face of Fu Manchu” (1965) – which he reprised three times – as Grigori Rasputin in “Rasputin, the Mad Monk”, and “The Devil Rides Out” (1968) as Duc De Richleau, all of which increased his net worth.
In the 1970s, he continued to line up success after success, portraying such characters as Scaramanga in the James Bond film “The Man With The Golden Gun” (1974), Lord Summerisle in the film “The Wicker Man” (1973), and as Rochefort in films “The Three Musketeers” (1973), and “The Four Musketeers: Milady’s Revenge” (1974), among others all of which added to his net worth.
In the 1980s, Christopher`s net worth stagnated a bit, as he couldn`t land more recognizable roles, since he moved to America and sought a chance in Hollywood. In the beginning he could only land parts in films such as “The Return of Captain Invincible” (1983), “House of the Long Shadows” (1983), and in the TV series “Shaka Zulu” (1986-1987).
During the 1990s, his fame began to return sporadically, as whenhe appeared in films and TV series such as “Sherlock Holmes and the Leading Lady” (1991), “Jinnah” (1998), and “Sleepy Hollow” (1999), increasing further his net worth. In 2001, Christopher was selected for the role of Saruman, an evil wizard, in the film “Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring”, a role he reprised in four more films of the series up to 2014.
During the 2000s, he also portrayed Count Dooku in the Star Wars franchise in films “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” (2002), and “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005). To speak further of his accomplishments, he starred in films “Season of the Witch” (2011), “The Girl from Nagasaki” (2013), and his last appearance was as The Boss, Mr. President in the film “Angels In Nothing Hill” (2015).
During his acting career spanning almost 70 years, Christopher Lee was involved in an incredible total of 207 films, and 65 TV productions, a true indication of his talent, and worth to directors. His awards and nominations were extensive, but he was most proud of his knighthood, bestowed on him by Queen Elizabeth 11 in 2009, for his contribution to the film and TV industries.
Christopher Lee was also known as a musician, releasing four studio albums such as “Revelation” (2006), “Charlemagne: By the Sword and the Cross” (2010), and “Charlemagne: The Omens of Death (2013), which was his last studio release. Regarding his personal life, Christopher Lee was married to Birgit “Gitte”Kroncke Lee from 1961 until his death, and with whom he had a daughter. Lee passed away at the age of 93.
