10 Horror Actors Forced Into Roles They Never Wanted

Christopher Lee was one of the most prolific actors in the film industry. Though younger viewers may know him as Count Dooku and Saruman The White, Lee first started off with his decorated military service, spy work, and as a Nazi Hunter. And if that wasn't impressive enough, Lee then transitioned to acting where he collected numerous iconic roles.

One of his earlier ones was Count Dracula during his work with Hammer Films where he lived up to the legacy left behind by screen legend Bela Lugosi. But in Dracula: Prince of Darkness and its subsequent follow-ups, Lee was forced by Hammer to continue as the Count.

For Prince of Darkness, he found the dialogue rubbish, so as a compromise, Dracula had no lines in the film. Lee would even recount that Hammer virtually blackmailed him into reprising the role despite his intentions not to. He said that whenever he didn't want to do another one, the president of Hammer Films would remind him of the people he'd put out of work should he not come back.

This emotional blackmail worked as Christopher Lee would play Dracula seven times from 1958 to 1973.