There was only one choice for Hollens to make – he proudly dedicated the performance to the memory of the late Sir Christopher Lee. In a YouTube comment, Hollens had this to say…
I would like to dedicate this newest song in memory of screen legend Sir Christopher Lee, for his iconic role as Saruman in both The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings films, and his impressive body of work away from Middle-Earth, have been a gift to us all.
In the wake of the legendary screen star’s passing, die-hard Lord of the Rings fans resurfaced an interview with Lee for Cinefantastique from 2003 in which he recounted meeting J.R.R. Tolkien, the legendary author of The Lord of the Rings and its prequel, The Hobbit.
“[I met him] quite by chance, really,” he recalled in the interview. “I met him with a group of other people in a pub in Oxford he used to go to, The Eagle and Child. I was very much in awe of him, as you can imagine, so I just said, ‘How do you do?’” Lee was the only LOTR cast member to actually meet Tolkien, who passed away in 1973, before several of the film’s stars had been born.
Lee continued his expansive career, which encompassed more than 280 roles. Stars and other notables came out in droves to honor the British actor.
Here’s what they had to say when they heard the news of his passing…
An extraordinary man and life lead, Sir Christopher Lee. You were an icon, and a towering human being with stories for days. We'll miss you.
— Elijah Wood (@woodelijah) June 11, 2015
I had the immense pleasure of working with Sir Christopher Lee twice in my career which I think is a huge testament to what a brilliant — 1
— Chloë Grace Moretz (@ChloeGMoretz) June 11, 2015
❤️ to CHRISTOPHER LEE.
Saruman the White!
Dracula!
Great Actor!
93!
Will be missed 😥 https://t.co/v3ZIoR61G0
— James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) June 11, 2015
PM: Saddened to hear of Sir Christopher Lee's death, a titan of Golden Age of Cinema & distinguished WW2 veteran who'll be greatly missed
— UK Prime Minister (@Number10gov) June 11, 2015
A legend of the stage and silver screen is no longer with us, but his memory lives on in the performances that are sure to impress generation after generation of new fans.