British acting legend Christopher Lee, LOTR’s Saruman, dies aged 93

(Updated 8:26 p.m.) British actor Christopher Lee, who devoted his long acting career to portraying villains including Dracula in horror classics and later appeared in the blockbuster "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings" franchises, has died at the age of 93.

Lee died on Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. (UK time) at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, The Guardian reported on Thursday. He had been undergoing treatment for respiratory problems and heart failure.

Lee's wife Birgit Kroencke, whom he married in 1961, only released the news days after he died in order to inform family members first.

In an emailed statement, Lee's agent said his family "wishes to make no comment."

Lee's most memorable roles were Count Dracula in several "Dracula" movies from the 1950s to the 1970s, Saruman the White in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy (2001-2003), and Count Dooku in "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" (2005).

Lee had many talents and interests. Last year, he even released a metal album, "Metal Knight."— Trisha Macas with a report from Reuters/BM, GMA News