Christopher Lee: Actor extraordinaire and Warrior

Fought in WW2 on many fronts, part of O.S.S.

It’s hard to say what role in acting Christopher Lee is known best for as his acting covers decades. Count Dooku, Sauruman in Lord of the Rings, or Dracula in his early films define some of his roles, but his role as a warrior in WW2 are less known. Losing his RAF pilot certification for eyesight problems, he fought in Finland against the Soviet Union in 1939 as a British operative. Sent to Rhodesia, he spent time working there at a base in 1941 before he was sent to North Africa as an intelligence officer. Speaking several languages, he was expected to “know everything”. Lee was nearly killed there by a bombing and also got malaria six times which nearly killed him as well. Sent to Italy next, he helped several campaigns with intelligence work there, including tracking down Nazi war criminals. He ended his service to the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant. He served with distinction, his honor intact. It seems odd that he will be forever remembered as the best villain on the big screen.

People are what they do, not who they seem. Valor is in you. Set it free.