Academy Fellowship in 2011: Sir Christopher Lee

08 February 11

At the 2011 Orange British Academy Film Awards BAFTA paid tribute to esteemed actor Sir Christopher Lee, honouring him with the Academy Fellowship .

Watch Sir Christopher Lee's Fellowship acceptance speech along with an exclusive BAFTA interview with Edith Bowman, backstage at the Royal Opera House.

On Sunday 13 February the British Academy of Film and Television Arts presented Sir Christopher Lee with the Academy Fellowship at the Orange British Academy Film Awards ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House.

Academy Fellowship: Sir Christopher Lee
BAFTA/Richard KendalAwarded annually by the Academy, the Fellowship is the highest accolade bestowed upon an individual in recognition of an outstanding and exceptional contribution to film. Previously honoured Fellows include Charlie Chaplin, Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg, Sean Connery, Elizabeth Taylor, Julie Christie, John Barry, Stanley Kubrick, Anthony Hopkins, Terry Gilliam and Judi Dench. Last year’s recipient was Vanessa Redgrave.

Tim Corrie, Chair of the Academy said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Academy is recognising Sir Christopher Lee. He has entertained me over many years and is a bastion of British filmmaking around the globe”.

Knighted in 2009 for his services to drama and charity, Sir Christopher Lee has appeared in nearly 200 films. He first became a star in the mid-50s playing Frankenstein’s creature, then the title role of Dracula in a pair of high-class Hammer Horrors. In a career spanning over eight decades, he has starred as Mycroft Holmes in Billy Wilder’s The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, as Lord Summerisle in cult classic The Wicker Man, as Scaramanga in The Man with the Golden Gun, and as Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

“It’s a very unexpected but very great honour to find myself in such distinguished company to receive the fellowship". Sir Christopher Lee

Sir Christopher won a new worldwide audience when he starred as Saruman in the BAFTA and Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy and appeared as Count Dooku in the Star Wars prequels. He has also worked extensively with Tim Burton, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and distinctive voice roles in Alice in Wonderland and Corpse Bride.

Future projects include the highly anticipated Martin Scorsese film Hugo Cabret which sees Sir Christopher appear alongside Jude Law, Chloe Moretz and Sacha Baron Cohen.

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Marianne Nielsen

(02-36-2011)

"Christopher Lee has acted Dracula's part 10 times! And it has been mentioned, that he is the tallest Dracula-actor. And he has a part in "Season of the Witch", too. "

Julian

(02-30-2011)

"He deserves an honorary Oscar more than others"

McAdam

(02-15-2011)

"congratulations Sir Christopher, my first memory of you was Lulu belting out 'he's got a powerful weapon'. Best bond baddie yet? "

Jen

(18-31-2011)

"Fantastic! Well overdue. However, I thought it was nearly 300 films he had appeared in?"

Kam

(18-29-2011)

"Congratulations Sir Chris. Yes, that is distinguished company, but you absolutely deserve to be on that list."

Pat

(14-51-2011)

"Long long overdue - he has given the world years of enjoyment so it's good that he's finally got something back!"

Gennaro Castaldo

(14-47-2011)

"I am absolutely thrilled that finally Sir Christopher is receiving the recognition he deserves. A true giant of British film, and a great servant. "

Sue

(14-52-2011)

"Thank you for all you have done over all the years, Sir Christopher"

James

(13-12-2011)

"Sir Christopher Lee deserves all the success he gets. All of his roles have been fantastic. Well Done!"

Sharon

(13-56-2011)

"Congratulations Sir Christopher - you deserve all of your successes! "

Stephen Volk

(10-43-2011)

""Pair of"?? - has anybody counted (sic) how many times he played Dracula for Hammer?"