Actor Peter O'Toole, who starred in Sir David Lean's 1962 film classic Lawrence of Arabia, died on Saturday aged 81, his agent has said.
He was being treated at London's Wellington hospital after a long illness, his agent added.
O'Toole's daughter Kate said the family was overwhelmed "by the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us".
He received an honorary Oscar in 2003, having initially turned it down.
In a letter the actor asked the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to delay it until he was 80, saying he was "still in the game and might win the bugger outright".
O'Toole's agent said he was "one of a kind in the very best sense and a giant in his field".
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "My thoughts are with Peter O'Toole's family and friends. His performance in my favourite film, Lawrence of Arabia, was stunning."
O'Toole began his acting career as an exciting young talent on the British stage and his Hamlet in 1955 at the Bristol Old Vic, was critically acclaimed.
Re: RIP Peter O'Toole
Posted: Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:00 pm
by Lord Jim
That's a shame..
I can't think of a bad movie the guy ever made...
Three of my favorites are three that don't get a lot of attention; The Ruling Class, My Favorite Year, and Night Of The Generals...
Re: RIP Peter O'Toole
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:55 am
by Rick
Night of the Generals freaked me out the 1st time I watched it.
Since then I have learned to embrace my inner bizarro
Re: RIP Peter O'Toole
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 7:14 am
by MajGenl.Meade
Lord Jim wrote:I can't think of a bad movie the guy ever made...
Supergirl. He got a Golden Raspberry AND a Razzie for worst actor in that one...
But that's by the by. He was a great actor and brought vitality to so many roles so brilliantly that his work will be a treat for future generations.
Meade
Re: RIP Peter O'Toole
Posted: Mon Dec 16, 2013 2:56 pm
by Sue U
Lawrence of Arabia was one of the greatest movies ever made, much of it because of Peter O'Toole's performance (the rest owing to David Lean's sweeping vision). If he had done nothing else, that alone would be enough to ensure he is remembered for the rest of human history.
Re: RIP Peter O'Toole
Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2013 12:42 am
by Lord Jim
Supergirl. He got a Golden Raspberry AND a Razzie for worst actor in that one...
Eww... I'd forgotten about that one...(That was a blockbuster that flopped...I suspect he got a big payday...)
Rick wrote:Night of the Generals freaked me out the 1st time I watched it.
Since then I have learned to embrace my inner bizarro
A very intense suspense thriller/psycho drama...
Both O'Toole and Omar Sharif were fantastic in that...
ETA:
I didn't realize that O'Toole had the most Oscar nominations without winning one (8) of any actor in the history of film...(Except for the Lifetime Achievement Award he got in 2003)
He certainly knew how to pick his projects...(well, except for that Super Girl thing....)