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'Don't call me Dracula'
By Alistair Foster, Evening Standard Last updated at 00:00am on 15.07.05
Counted out: Christopher Lee
We all know superstars have their demands but Christopher Lee got straight to the point - don't mention Dracula.
Before agreeing to open an exhibition in London, Lee, 83, who played the blood-sucking count 10 times, submitted a list which would have done any diva proud.
Lee was chosen to be guest speaker at Holborn library's Notable Asians In Camden exhibition. It is because of his role in the 1998 movie Jinnah, in which he played the founding father of Pakistan, Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
But a letter to the event's organisers from his agent and son-in-law Juan Aneiros said: "He expects to address the attendees and members of the press, providing they keep to
the subject at hand, which is Jinnah and/or Notable Asians, a subject he dominates to perfection.
"What he does not expect is for anyone to bother him with movies he did over 30 years ago. He will not be signing any autographs, so please make sure no one pushes in front of him pictures or books to sign."
The actor, who has appeared in more than 220 films, is so well known for horror roles that he once said: "People think that Peter Cushing and I live in a cave together."
More recently, he played Count Dooku in the new Star Wars trilogy and Saruman the White in The Lord Of The Rings - both roles that did little to shed his association with playing baddies.
The letter continued: "Mr Christopher Lee has agreed to open your exhibition.
"This is, of course, always subject to him being in good health and that he is not called away to shoot another blockbuster movie... Note that he will be in a party of six to avoid you having to waste money on bodyguards. All he will need is a car to pick him up and back from the event, Earl Grey tea and water."
The organisers, Camden council, said Lee had appeared for free and the event had gone well. A spokeswoman added: "The main thing was that the focus should be on the exhibition."
