Christopher Lee celebrates his way

Christopher Lee played Saruman, the evil wizard from the Lord of the Rings.

Acting legend Christopher Lee has celebrated his 92nd birthday by releasing a heavy metal album.

Best known to younger audiences as Saruman, the evil wizard from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, and for his work in the Star Wars prequels, Lee released Metal Knight on Tuesday.

The record includes two covers of songs from stage musical Man of La Mancha, based on fictional character Don Quixote.

Also in the mix - a heavy metal take on Frank Sinatra's classic My Way.

"My Way is a very remarkable song," Lee explained. "It's a man who is very proud of having achieved everything that he's achieved his way."

Lee made his name starring in horror movies, and his deep, sonorous voice defined his version of Bram Stoker's famous vampire, Dracula. He has previously said he would rather have been an opera singer than an actor.

In December, Lee became the oldest ever performer to place in the US Billboard singles chart with his record Jingle Hell, from a metal-themed Christmas album.

- AAP