Sir Christopher Lee, voice of Ansem the Wise, dies at 93
- Details
- Published on June 11, 2015 @ 11:30 am
- Written by Arielle
Sir Christopher Lee, well known by Kingdom Hearts fans as the voice of Ansem the Wise in Kingdom Hearts II and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, has passed away at the age of 93 after being hospitalized for respiratory problems and heart failure.
Lee was a renowned British actor, immortalized through his roles as Count Dracula in the classic Hammer Horror film series, Saruman in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Francisco Scaramanga in the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun, and Count Dooku in the final two films of the Star Wars prequel trilogy.
Lee served in the Royal Air Force during World War II and after he retired in 1946 with the rank of flight lieutenant, he moved into acting and made his his debut in Terence Young's Gothic romance Corridor of Mirrors in 1947.
COMMENTS
"To be a legend, you've either got to be dead or excessively old" - Sir Christopher Lee
He's more than a legend. RIP
(Sorry about closing the other threads, guys ;~;)
He lived an incredible life ;~; RIP
And now we've lost another amazing talent.
I don't think I can handle this :c
I thought he'd live forever like Nimoy
;A; *goes off and cries*
RIP Christopher Lee.
I'm just too stunned for words. Rest in piece, man. ;_;
Noooo, I can't believe there are so many talented people passing away this year. First, Monty, then Nimoy and now Sir Lee. [SIZE=2]Not to mention, my pet cat passed away last month.
[/SIZE][SIZE=2]R.I.P Sir Christopher Lee : (
[/SIZE]
rip mr lee and thank you for the moments and memories
his last scence on kingdom hearts guys
[video=youtube;f3aBVqOFUao]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3aBVqOFUao[/video]
rip mr lee and thank you for the moments and memories
his last scence on kingdom hearts guys
[video=youtube;f3aBVqOFUao]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3aBVqOFUao[/video]
That's not his last scene. These are from Days (DS).
[video=youtube;FBWMI3iuqpE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBWMI3iuqpE[/video]
[youtube]uYE9jWqE6cE[/youtube]
This is very sad. :( He was without doubt an amazing person.
That's not his last scene. These are from Days (DS).
[video=youtube;FBWMI3iuqpE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBWMI3iuqpE[/video]
[youtube]uYE9jWqE6cE[/youtube]
yeah but days happened before kh2 and that last time we heard him as that character that beyond kingdom hearts 2
Days came out after KH2, though...
KH2 = 2005
Days = 2009
Days came out after KH2, though...
KH2 = 2005
Days = 2009
Chronologically though not release year
Chronologically though not release year
Isn't it better to honor his last appearance in the game by the year he was last in it? Like you wouldn't say Saurman appeared his last time in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. You'd say his last appearance was in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies even though that is a prequel to LotR.
RIP. Kingdom Hearts was very lucky to have him for a time.
A sad loss to the community, Sir Christopher, may you rest in piece.
RIP Mr Lee. The guy was a terrific talent, loved his voice acting in KH2 and was really disappointed that he wasn't able to reprise his role in the later games.
Isn't it better to honor his last appearance in the game by the year he was last in it? Like you wouldn't say Saurman appeared his last time in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. You'd say his last appearance was in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies even though that is a prequel to LotR.
yeah i guess you could honor him that way
I'm suddenly feeling someone should check up on Genzo Wakayama.
I'm suddenly feeling someone should check up on Genzo Wakayama.
If he ends up next I'm going to ball my eyes out.
Dammit, not again. This has already been a horrible year. T-T
R.I.P. Sir Christopher Lee. You have been a tremendous actor and an even more tremendous person who has influenced more people than you may know.
Nooo, Sir. Lee not you too! :( 2015 is a really sad year....
Rest in peace Cristhoper Lee, rest in peace.
Just for discussion sake, when was the first time you saw/heard Christopher Lee in any kind of media?
Just for discussion sake, when was the first time you saw/heard Christopher Lee in any kind of media?
Hmm... I think the first time was as Saruman in Lord of the Rings, at least the first time I knew it was him who played the part. I still need to watch a few of his roles.
Hmm... I think the first time was as Saruman in Lord of the Rings, at least the first time I knew it was him who played the part. I still need to watch a few of his roles.
Being from 1985, I did not get to see his very first appearances obviously.
The first film I remember him from is Scaramanga, the main villain from the James Bond movie The Man with the Golden Gun where he played alongside Roger Moore.
If we go by his earliest work I watched though, I think those would be the Dr. Fu Manchu films from the 60s as well as his guest star appearance as Professor Frank N. Stone in The Avengers where he played alongside Patrick Macnee and Diana Rigg.
I'm contemplating actually to dedicate some time the coming weekend to watch at least one movie with Sir Lee in a prominent role...
Hmm. The first time I heard or saw Sir Lee was in KH2, and then later in Lord of The Rings
Holy heck!! I just checked this, and Sir Lee helped Finns in Winter War! He did some service here(far away from the front lines thou) when we were fighting against the Soviets in 1939. What an remarkable piece of information.. I can`t believe this is the firs time I know this.
RIP. You may have given Corey Burton your blessing, but it's just not the same.
"Anything could happen..."
Holy heck!! I just checked this, and Sir Lee helped Finns in Winter War! He did some service here(far away from the front lines thou) when we were fighting against the Soviets in 1939. What an remarkable piece of information.. I can`t believe this is the firs time I know this.
Sir Lee was a remarkable multi-talent.
It's one of the reasons why I admire him so much.
Seeing the diversity of different things he did throughout his life, and each with the same vigor and dedication, make him a true role model to look up to.
In regards to remembering who he was in a role, the first role that I remember was as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. From there, there was Dooku and Ansem the Wise. I also recently saw snippets of some old movie where he was a leader of some cult over in Ireland. The name of the film is on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite remember it right now.
Yeah, just to think about all the different languages he was able to master, and that he would risk his life for a little country like ours... dam, it brings a tear to my eye that we have lost such a talented and remarkable person. :(
EDIT:
I found a clip of him visiting Finland:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQkRjoQ-Zag
I am really amazed how fluently he says the local town`s names and peoples names. Usually English speaking people have difficulties pronouncing peoples names but Cristhoper Lee does it really well, almost perfect. Man, what multitalent he was. Will we ever see as brave and as amazing person as he?
The man left behind a myriad of great film, along with many other accomplishments. Will be a shame that AtW won't have the same life into him though what we had was memorable.
RiP good sir.
In regards to remembering who he was in a role, the first role that I remember was as Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. From there, there was Dooku and Ansem the Wise. I also recently saw snippets of some old movie where he was a leader of some cult over in Ireland. The name of the film is on the tip of my tongue, but I can't quite remember it right now.
I think the movie your talking about is The Wicker Man (not the remake with Nicolas Cage).
One however small consolation I can see to is that Sir Lee may now possibly be reunited with his best friend, Peter Cushing.
Edit:
Found the exact quote of what Sir Lee had to say in an interview back then when Cushing had died in 1994:
I don't want to sound gloomy, but, at some point of your lives, every one of you will notice that you have in your life one person, one friend whom you love and care for very much. That person is so close to you that you are able to share some things only with him. For example, you can call that friend, and from the very first maniacal laugh or some other joke you will know who is at the other end of that line. We used to do that with him so often. And then when that person is gone, there will be nothing like that in your life ever again
He was also friends with the great Vincent Price.
RIP Sir Christopher Lee
He really set the bar high with the extraordinary acting that he's done over the years. Sir Lee could portray some of the most memorable characters by being effective and convincing. He will be missed.
He was also friends with the great Vincent Price.
I think I remember him vaguely. Wasn't he the English voice of Professor Ratigan in the Disney movie The Great Mouse Detective?
May Sir Christopher Lee rest in peace. I remember his roles as Count Dooku, Saruman, and Ansem the Wise.
He certainly earned a reputation as a legendary actor who brought a sense of gravitas to nearly all of his roles.
I think my first time seeing Christopher Lee in anything was the Dracula films. Also, my mom is a big James Bond fan so I remember him from the film he was in.
;~;
"A heart is so much more than any system. It's always the same. I try to wrap my mind around things my heart already knows, only to fail."
"Xehanort. Foolish apprentice of a foolish man. You have surpassed nothing, only proved how little we both know. We may profess to know the heart, but its essence is beyond our reach. We're both ignorant, as oblivious as when we began."
Those two quotes from KH2, silly as it might sound, had an impact on me. Kingdom Hearts has always influenced my thinking with some of its themes, messages, and quotes, but those lines spoken by Christopher Lee had some of the largest impacts on me. It was amazing that a video game could make me think about reality in a new light. And Christopher Lee's voice was perfect. He delivered those lines brilliantly.
RIP
This is terrible, I always liked his voice. ;-;
Probably one of my favourites now gone.
Not only his voice but many facets of him were very admirable. One can only aspire to reach the heights he did.
Mr. Lee was a wonderful actor. I'll remember his work as Ansem the Wise for a long time. I'm very saddened to hear about his passing.
Just for discussion sake, when was the first time you saw/heard Christopher Lee in any kind of media?
Honestly, Gremlins 2.
Goddammit!!! Another splendid actor taken from us!
I know it's selfish, but it's times like these that make me wish they had already recorded their brilliant voice acting beforehand so this crap doesn't happen so abruptly (by crap I mean dying)!
We just lost Nimoy; come on!
Honestly, Gremlins 2.
NOOO NOT THAT
Goddammit!!! Another splendid actor taken from us!
I know it's selfish, but it's times like these that make me wish they had already recorded their brilliant voice acting beforehand so this crap doesn't happen so abruptly (by crap I mean dying)!
We just lost Nimoy; come on!
Let's hope Betty White will be here until age 100.
It is sad and it's sad a great actor has left us. I hope his family is okay.
I said this before, but let KH3 take care of KH3. We'll see what they do; after all, something similar happened with Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies; I just hope if they use both charas that their voice actors died, they can find people that can do them justice.
Next thing you know it'll be Ian McKellen or Patrick Stewart (knock on wood)
It is sad and it's sad a great actor has left us. I hope his family is okay.
I said this before, but let KH3 take care of KH3. We'll see what they do; after all, something similar happened with Dumbledore in the Harry Potter movies; I just hope if they use both charas that their voice actors died, they can find people that can do them justice.
Well, Corey Burton has been Ansem the Wise for years now...
"A heart is so much more than any system. It's always the same. I try to wrap my mind around things my heart already knows, only to fail."
"Xehanort. Foolish apprentice of a foolish man. You have surpassed nothing, only proved how little we both know. We may profess to know the heart, but its essence is beyond our reach. We're both ignorant, as oblivious as when we began."
Those two quotes from KH2, silly as it might sound, had an impact on me. Kingdom Hearts has always influenced my thinking with some of its themes, messages, and quotes, but those lines spoken by Christopher Lee had some of the largest impacts on me. It was amazing that a video game could make me think about reality in a new light. And Christopher Lee's voice was perfect. He delivered those lines brilliantly.
RIP
I completely agree, Nazo. Kingdom Hearts was the first time I ever "saw" Sir Christopher Lee in anything. And this part right here--while some people see it as bad writing--has always stuck with me so much, because he made it so meaningful and important.
He was just... such a talent...
And even though I know the Sir now from other roles, too, his DiZ in KH will probably always mean the most to me, personally: I was just so EXCITED to hear Ansem brought to life (after the silent CoM, I mean) with the voice I'd always imagined for him, when KHII came along.
Sir Christopher Lee completely nailed the role, and I'd dare say all of his other ones, as well.
So SAD to see him go:( But if nothing else he's in a better place now, and with his friends who had been all ready lost. So that's something, I guess.
My heart goes out to the left behind friends and families at this time, and I hope that they find some sort of comfort during this all.
Man, has 2015 been a hard year...
And personally, I'm really hoping that KHIII will have some sort of memorial about all these AMAZING VAs that we recently lost.
Personally, I think I'd even mention all three of them in the next trailer reveal, but maybe that's just me.
Personally, I think I'd even mention all three of them in the next trailer reveal, but maybe that's just me.
If anything, I feel like they would put some kind of memorial in the credits of KH3, like "In Memory of" and whatnot. But I'm not sure they ever did that with previous VAs of the series.
If anything, I feel like they would put some kind of memorial in the credits of KH3, like "In Memory of" and whatnot. But I'm not sure they ever did that with previous VAs of the series.
They did that with the original Mickey's VA in the credits of Days.
Oh, dear God, why? Not you, too.
Well, Corey Burton has been Ansem the Wise for years now...
I don't mean to sound disrespectful to Corey Burton, but he's no Christopher Lee.
Wow that man has been in over 200 movies, was still cast to play in more, had 3 albums, performed in operas, was in numerous video games, numerous television shows, was a knight, and he served in the military/fought in WWII. That Knight is a legend. He'll be missed.
They did that with the original Mickey's VA in the credits of Days.
Oh really? I don't remember that, but that's cool. Hopefully they do that with Nimoy and Lee then, too.
Just for discussion sake, when was the first time you saw/heard Christopher Lee in any kind of media?
The Last Unicorn. And he is incredible in it. I am going to watch the shit out of that when I get home and weep like a baby.
The Last Unicorn. And he is incredible in it. I am going to watch the shit out of that when I get home and weep like a baby.
or settle with this:
[video=youtube;2JS_OkDo4kI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JS_OkDo4kI[/video]
Some really sad, fitting LOTR music for the death of Saruman.
[video=youtube;FiL1pLa9hbo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiL1pLa9hbo&feature=iv&src_vid=V-mM-0Rz9uY[/video]
or settle with this:
[video=youtube;2JS_OkDo4kI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JS_OkDo4kI[/video]
This is a great scene, to be sure, but my favorite of his is probably when he confronts Amalthea again once she's forgotten that she's a unicorn. Really haunting delivery from Christopher Lee in that sequence. *A*
Just for discussion sake, when was the first time you saw/heard Christopher Lee in any kind of media?
The lord of the rings: The fellowship of the rings I believe. He's been in so many movies though so who knows. I keep forgetting he played Saruman, I guess that goes to show how good of an actor he really was.
His really, really sucks. He was definitely one of my all-time favorites (my brother’s too). I’m glad we had him for so long.
When any actor dies, you always wish he or she could have done just 1 more movie...
Rest in power Christopher Lee. I remember the other day I was watching a Richard Epcar panel where he spoke of Lee and how "impatient" he was with voice recording in KH. According to Richard, Lee did all of his line in one take.
He lived a long and great life with extraordinary achievements, a legacy unlike any.
My sister texted me earlier while I was sleeping and I had no idea this had happened...People die every day, so I feel guilty pointing out all of our recent loss in movie stars when so much else is going on all the time. But some people decide to do things with their lives that blow us all away, and he was one of those people.
I'm going to have to watch as many of the movies he's in as possible. I've got LotR, The Hobbit, The Last Unicorn, Star Wars, Corpse Bride...I need to make my collection bigger.
Rest in power Christopher Lee. I remember the other day I was watching a Richard Epcar panel where he spoke of Lee and how "impatient" he was with voice recording in KH. According to Richard, Lee did all of his line in one take.
He lived a long and great life with extraordinary achievements, a legacy unlike any.
Lee was a Master Class actor, man. Voice acting can be tricky to sync up with the animations. Doing it all in one go is really impressive, getting the timing, annunciation, emphasis, emotion, etc, all in one shot. Damn.
Lee was a Master Class actor, man. Voice acting can be tricky to sync up with the animations. Doing it all in one go is really impressive, getting the timing, annunciation, emphasis, emotion, etc, all in one shot. Damn.
Here's the interview, he talks about him at the 5:05 mark.
Damn, son. That's how it's done. Richard Epcar does a decent impression of him, too.
Yesterday was definitely a shocking day. First I got hear that a professional wrestler died and then I get the news of Christopher Lee. I remember Lee prominently more towards his character as Count Dooku from Attack of the Clones. I was actually surprised by his age once I looked it up. He just had so much energy and he always delivered. I remember hearing Heavy Metal Christmas song too months ago.
[video=youtube;305viYB-G1U]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=305viYB-G1U[/video]
That's a shame... He must've retired a few years ago though, because he stopped voicing Diz/ATW. He sure acted a looong time.
That's a shame... He must've retired a few years ago though, because he stopped voicing Diz/ATW. He sure acted a looong time.
He stopped flying around 2010. Every acting role he's done since has been done inside of the UK.
He stopped flying around 2010. Every acting role he's done since has been done inside of the UK.
Doesn't Square have a UK division though? Couldn't he have gone there to record?
Doesn't Square have a UK division though? Couldn't he have gone there to record?
Disney handles the booking for voice over work.
The studio they use/are likely contracted to, Skylark Sound, is located in Burbank, CA and it is probably much more expensive to do any recording out of country. I'm almost certain there are probably regulations in place about this kind of stuff too by the SAG.
He stopped flying around 2010. Every acting role he's done since has been done inside of the UK.
Reminds me of how all his shots from the Hobbit trilogy were done in the UK. He was placed in the same room as the others during the scenes, but he was never actually there because Peter said he was "unwell" during all of filming. He really wanted to come see everyone, though.
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but whenever I think about Christopher Lee I always think of that great story Richard Epcar told of when Lee was recording for KH2.
[FONT=helvetica]He said that Lee was in the booth and in the booth opposite of him were the head execs from Disney and Square. Lee would say a line and then for like five minutes the execs would whisper amongst themselves and then ask Lee to say the line again but in a slightly different way. [/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica]After this happened like three times, Lee stopped the recording and spoke up. He said, "Here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to start from the top of the script and read straight through to the bottom and then i'm going home."
I always remember that, haha. I really liked his voice work in the series and had always wished he'd return for DiZ's big speeches in BBS and KH3D.[/FONT]
I'm sure it's been mentioned, but whenever I think about Christopher Lee I always think of that great story Richard Epcar told of when Lee was recording for KH2.
[FONT=helvetica]He said that Lee was in the booth and in the booth opposite of him were the head execs from Disney and Square. Lee would say a line and then for like five minutes the execs would whisper amongst themselves and then ask Lee to say the line again but in a slightly different way. [/FONT]
[FONT=helvetica]After this happened like three times, Lee stopped the recording and spoke up. He said, "Here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to start from the top of the script and read straight through to the bottom and then i'm going home."
I always remember that, haha. I really liked his voice work in the series and had always wished he'd return for DiZ's big speeches in BBS and KH3D.[/FONT]
Damn, and they say KH1 had a bad voice director.
You know, it’s too bad Christopher Lee couldn’t have been part of 3D. Not that DiZ’s role is really worth the trouble, but maybe they could have had him voice Frollo, too. He’s one of the few out there who could have filled Tony Jay’s shoes.
Well DiZ's role in 3D was far more worth the trouble than his role in Days which Lee returned for lol
The Dead Skin
June 11, 2015 @ 03:34 pmOffline