Film legend and Lawrence of Arabia star Peter O'Toole dies at the age of 81
By PETER LLOYD
|
The film industry is in mourning after legendary film actor Peter O'Toole died at the age of 81.
O'Toole's agent Steve Kenis confirmed the Lawrence Of Arabia star's death, saying he died on Saturday at the Wellington hospital in London after a long illness.
He is survived by two daughters - Kate and Patricia - and a son, Lorcan Patrick O'Toole.
Legendary: O'Toole was one of the film industry's most well-respected stars
Most famous role: Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia - a film which put the actor on the map
Legend: Peter O'Toole has died at the age of 81 - just one year after he announced his retirement
The acclaimed star was both commercially successful and critically acclaimed during his career
In a statement released earlier, Kate O’Toole said: 'His family are very appreciative and completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us, during this unhappy time. Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.
'In due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished. We will be happy to speak to you all then but in the meantime if you could give Peter O’Toole the respect he deserves and allow us to grieve privately we’d appreciate it.
'Thank you all again for your beautiful tributes – keep them coming.'
'In due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished. We will be happy to speak to you all then but in the meantime if you could give Peter O’Toole the respect he deserves and allow us to grieve privately we’d appreciate it.
'Thank you all again for your beautiful tributes – keep them coming.'
Film role: Lawrence Of Arabia starred Peter O'Toole as T.E. Lawrence and was his most famous work
The news comes just one year after he formally retired from acting on the eve of his 80th birthday.
Speaking in a statement at the time, he said that his career on stage and screen fulfilled him emotionally and financially, bringing 'me together with fine people, good companions with whom I've shared the inevitable lot of all actors: flops and hits.'
'However, it's my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one's stay,' he said. 'So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell.'
Despite this, he emerged from retirement this year to star in Katherine of Alexandria, which is yet to be released.
An eight-time Academy Award nominee who never won Hollywood's top acting honor, O'Toole shot to screen stardom 50 years ago in the title role of Lawrence of Arabia, which earned seven Oscars, including best picture and director for David Lean.
Prodigious talent: Peter was considered one of the industry's most talented stars
O'Toole's grand performance as British adventurer T.E. Lawrence brought him his first best-actor nomination but set him on an unenviable path of Oscar futility. His eight losses without a win is a record among actors.
The honors stacked up quickly as O'Toole received Oscar nominations for 1964's Becket, 1968's The Lion in Winter, 1969's Goodbye, Mr. Chips, 1972's The Ruling Class, 1980's 'The Stunt Man' and 1982's 'My Favorite Year.'
In 2003, at age 70, O'Toole received an honorary Oscar, often given as a consolation prize for acclaimed actors and filmmakers who never managed to win Hollywood's top award.
The honorary Oscar came 20 years after his seventh nomination, for My Favorite Year.
Another hit role: What's New Pussycat? starring Romy Schneider, Capucine, Paula Prentis, Ursula Andress and Peter O'Toole
O'Toole nearly turned down the award, sending a letter asking that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hold off on the honorary Oscar until he turned 80.
Hoping another Oscar-worthy role would come his way, O'Toole wrote: 'I am still in the game and might win the bugger outright.'
He earned his eighth best-actor nomination for 2006's Venus, in which he played a lecherous old actor consigned to roles as feeble-minded royals or aged men on their death beds.
'If you fail the first time, try, try, try, try, try, try, try again,' O'Toole said in a statement on nominations day.
Unfortunately for O'Toole, he failed again. The best-actor prize went to Forest Whitaker for The Last King of Scotland.
He was offered a knighthood in 1987, but turned it down for personal and political reasons.
Another memorable role: O'Toole starred in Under Milk Wood with Elizabeth Taylor
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, said: 'I have heard with great sadness of the passing of Peter O’Toole this weekend. Ireland, and the world, has lost one of the giants of film and theatre.
'In a long list of leading roles on stage and in film, Peter brought an extraordinary standard to bear as an actor. He had a deep interest in literature and a love of Shakespearean Sonnets in particular. While he was nominated as Best Actor for an Oscar eight times, and received a special Oscar from his peers, for his contribution to film, he was deeply committed to the stage.
'Those who saw him play leading roles on the screen from Lawrence in 1962, or through the role of Henry II in Becket, and The Lion in Winter, or through the dozens of films, will recognise a lifetime devoted to the art form of the camera.
The Hollywood hellraiser: Aside from his screen successes, Peter was also known for living an indulgent life
'Yet others may have have seen him on stage in London, New York, or Dublin where he performed at the Abbey with the late Donal McCann in Godot or at the Gaiety in the plays of Shaw and O’Casey. His performance in Shaw’s plays was outstanding.
'I was privileged to know him as a friend since 1969. I spent part of 1979 in Clifden where we met almost daily and all of us who knew him in the West will miss his warm humour and generous friendship.
'To Kate, Pat, Lorcan and Sian my deepest sympathy. Sabina and I and our Children will miss him, as will all those who saw him on screen or stage or had the privilege, as I had, of having his friendship and humour. He was unsurpassed for the grace he brought to every performance on and off the stage.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2524166/Film-legend-Peter-OToole-dies-age-81.html#ixzz2naHac1HP
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
