Lord of the Rings star Christopher Lee has defended Lauren Bacall's criticism of Nicole Kidman.

Veteran actress Bacall shocked film fans last month when she claimed that Nicole Kidman was not a legend. She told GMTV's Jenni Falconer:

"She's not a legend. She's a beginner. What is this 'legend'? She can't be a legend at whatever age she is. She can't be a legend, you have to be older."

82-year-old Lee is quoted by Female First as saying, "Lauren Bacall was absolutely right. She wasn't saying it personally against Nicole Kidman. But to be a legend you've got be dead or excessively old."