His WW2 record is the stuff of legend.
I’ve forgotten the complete title of Lee’s autobiography which I got from him, a take-off on “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”, but in it he describes his WW2 experiences from being in the British SAS (Special Air Services = commandos) to flying both the British Spitfire and the American P51 Mustang which he preferred (new, advanced Merlin Rolls Royce engines).
He was a classically trained actor (all serious British actors had to learn and do Shakespeare first in their professional training before moving on to other types of acting).
As one poster mentioned, Patrick Stewart was and still is a Shakepearean actor. So too is Jeremy Bullock, the original Babba Fett of “Star Wars”. I might add that Star Trek: Deep Space 9’s Avery Brooks is a great Shakespearean actor. Saw him in “Othello” in DC many years ago and he was terrific. Also got his autograph when he left the theater. A real gentleman.
With the loss of Christopher Lee, “class” in acting has taken a major loss. He will be remembered not only for his many roles and movies, but for his “Renaissance man” life.
Somewhere in Heaven there is one heck-of-a Shakespearean Theater with an All-Star Cast.