Jinnah star Christopher Lee passes away at 93

[Devil Soul]

Jinnah star Christopher Lee passes away at 93
ENTERTAINMENT DESK — PUBLISHED 11 minutes ago

Legendary actor Christopher Lee has died at the age of 93 — Photo courtesy The Telegraph
Legendary British actor Christopher Lee has died at the age of 93 after being hospitalised for respiratory problems and heart failure, according to multiple media sources.

The veteran actor, who is perhaps best known to local audiences for playing the titular role in Jamil Dehalvi's biopic of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, enjoyed a diverse career in films ranging from Dracula to The Wicker Tree to the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.

Lee was knighted in 2009 for his contributions to acting, but also branched out into music in his later life.

Although the actor passed away at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London on Sunday morning, the news was withheld from the press due to his wife's desire to inform family members first.

Tributes began to pour in as soon as the news broke.

 

[Jazzbot]

Sir Christopher Lee who played Jinnah dies at 93

Sir Christopher Lee who played Jinnah in his 1998 biopic has died aged 93.

The legendary actor, who also appeared in Lord of the Rings, passed away on Sunday at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, sources close to his family told the Telegraph.

In an interview with a local radio show Christopher described Jinnah as an ‘important film’ and cited a number of different reasons for doing it. “I think that the film Jinnah, is an extremely important film for many reasons and it should be seen now. The reasons, and there are quite a few of them: One, it shows the true meaning of Islam, Islam means submission to the will of God, it does not mean terrorism, fundamentalism.

“Secondly it shows the creation of a Muslim state and how it came into being. How the founder of that nation achieved this and again, it has nothing to do with all the dreadful things that are happening recently,” said the actor.

He was full of praises for the Father of the Nation and for him it was the most important role he played as an actor.

“It is a story of a true Muslim and the people around him who decided that the Muslims of India need a country of their own,” he said. “They say there are still seven million Muslims living in India but of course Pakistan was created in 1947. The man responsible for this was Muhammad Ali Jinnah: known of course to Pakistan as the Quaid-e-Azam which means ‘the great leader’.”

The actor who was knighted in 2009 for his services to drama and charity had once said about Jinnah, ”For me as an actor, it is certainly the most important role I have ever played, because the responsibility on my shoulders was immense. I went to the country he founded. I was there for ten weeks playing the leader of the nation, the creator of the nation in the country he created in front of his own people,” said Christopher.

Sir Christopher had been treated at the hospital for respiratory problems and heart failure in the last three weeks.

According to the publication, Lady Lee opted to delay the news of his death until family members were told.

The star has played a number of memorable roles, like Saruman in the Lord of the Rings film franchise. He also made a name for himself as Bond villain Francisco Scaramanga in the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun in 1974 and played Count Dooku in two Star Wars motion pictures.

Besides Jinnah and Lord of the Rings, Christopher appeared alongside Veronica Carlson in Dracula has Risen from the Grave, as well as The Wicker Tree, Dark Shadows, Hugo and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies last year.

He was due to star in Lars Ole Hansen movie The 11th.

Here’s what the legendary actor has to say about playing Jinnah:

Hearing about his death, people took to Twitter to express their sorrow:

https://twitter.com/x/status/608966848311250948

https://twitter.com/x/status/608971630354661376

https://twitter.com/x/status/608971399261134848

https://twitter.com/x/status/608967296615391232

https://twitter.com/x/status/608968347351457792

Faisal Rafi on Twitter: "God speed Saruman of many Colors [HASHTAG]#ChristopherLee[/HASHTAG]"

robertliefeld on Twitter: "My favorite Christopher Lee performance will always be The Wicker Man. Him prancing and leading that cult down to the beach seared me. [HASHTAG]#RIP[/HASHTAG]"

Daniel Parsons on Twitter: "So sad to hear that Christopher Lee has died. He was so many great characters, the best one being himself. [HASHTAG]#RIP[/HASHTAG]"

 

[Jungibaaz]

RIP, great man. Sir Christopher Lee.

He was in the RAF, and the Finnish SF, and he fought in WWII. He since made some appearances in my favourite films, in Star wars he played Count Dooku, and in Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit he played Saruman. And of course he played the role of Jinnah.

 

[Dr. Strangelove]

rest in peace

 

[Guynextdoor2]

RIP, but I didn't like the movie Jinnah

 

[Kolachi Punjabi]

RIP

Why did they make a european man to play the role of Jinnah?Should've gotten a Pakistani

 

[faisal6309]

RIP

RIP

Why did they make a european man to play the role of Jinnah?Should've gotten a Pakistani

They also chosed European guy for role of Gandhi too.

This man is this guy:

Ben Kingsley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gandhi (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[saiyan0321]

Rest in piece. Man this Guy was a walking legend ... Top legend. He killed the role of saruman, nailed the role of Jinnah and looked a pure master of the sith and was charismatic enough in his role to show that he can lead a separatist movement
.. Was amazing as Dracula as well. I will miss this guy. Was one of my most fav actors.

 

[Chacha_Facebooka]

RIP

Why did they make a european man to play the role of Jinnah?Should've gotten a Pakistani

1. They looked similar.
2. Jinnah studied in England and spoke with English accent if I am not wrong.
3. It was an English film.

 

[dexter]

RIP


They also chosed European guy for role of Gandhi too.

This man is this guy:

Ben Kingsley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gandhi (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

his ancestors were from india

 

[Jf Thunder]

RIP, but I didn't like the movie Jinnah

BTW RIP

 

[Kambojaric]

RIP. Great actor no doubt.

 

[Hamartia Antidote]

The Man with the Golden Gun

 

[salarsikander]

RIP


They also chosed European guy for role of Gandhi too.

This man is this guy:

Ben Kingsley - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gandhi (film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I like Gandhi

 

[waz]

God bless you Christopher.
He was a true gentlemen.
He was from noble roots i.e. he was a descendent of the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.
He gave greatly to charity
He was a world champion fencer.
He fought in the Second World War.
He was a special services operative.
He spoke five languages (Spanish, French, German, English and Dutch).
He was an incredible actor.
He bought Dracula to the big screen.
He starred in numerous classics e.g. the Wicker Man.
He captured the hearts of modern film goers in Lord of The Rings and Starwars.


He also played Jinnah and remained a great supporter and close friend of Pakistan and its people.

What a legend, I and countless others will miss you so much.