Peter Jackson has taken to Facebook to pay tribute to Sir Christopher Lee, who died at the weekend aged ninety three.
Peter Jackson
Jackson worked with Lee on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies, where the British actor took on the role of Saruman.
Jackson revealed that he had grown up a huge fan of Lee's movies and says there will 'never be another Christopher Lee.'
Writing on Facebook, the director said: "It is with tremendous sadness that I learnt of the passing of Sir Christopher Lee. He was 93 years old, had not been in his usual good health for some time, but his spirit remained as always indomitable.
"I was lucky enough to work with Chris on five films all told, and it never ceased to be a thrill to see him on set.
"I remember him saying on my 40th birthday (he was 80 at the time), 'You're half the man I am'. Being half the man Christopher Lee is, is more than I could ever hope for. He was a true gentleman in an era that no longer values gentlemen."
"I grew up loving Christopher Lee movies. For most of my life, I was enthralled by the great iconic roles he not only created but continued to own decades later. But somewhere along the way, Christopher Lee suddenly, and magically, dissolved away and he became my friend, Chris. And I loved Chris even more.
"There will never be another Christopher Lee. He has a unique place in the history of cinema and in the hearts of millions of fans around the world. The world will be a lesser place without him in it."
Lee passed away from respiratory problems and heart failure last weekend after being admitted to Chelsea and Westminster hospital.
He enjoyed a career that spanned over seventy years and saw him make in excess of two hundred movies with iconic roles in the likes of Dracula, The Wicker Man and The Lord of the Rings.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies was the last time that we saw him on the big screen back in December as he returned to the role of Saruman for the final time.
He is survived by this wife Birgit Krøncke and daughter Christina Erika Carandini Lee.
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