Peter O'Toole

Peter Seamus O'Toole (born August 2, 1932) is a famous Irish film actor.

Born in County Galway, Ireland, he was raised in Leeds, England. He left school young and worked at the Yorkshire Evening News, becoming a journalist. But after National Service he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (1952-54) on a scholarship. He worked in theatre, gaining recognition as a Shakespearean actor at the Bristol Old Vic and with the English Stage Company, before making his television debut in 1954 and a very minor film debut in 1959. In 1958 he married the actress Siân Phillips (divorcing in 1979). His break came when he was chosen to play Lawrence in David Lean's Lawrence of Arabia (1962), Albert Finney having turned down the role. His performance earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. However, he also appeared in many mediocre (or worse!) films and illness related to his heavy drinking almost ended his life in the late 1970s but he recovered and returned to work, although he found it harder to get, doing more work for television. He continues to do theatre work throughout his career.

After Lawrence of Arabia, O'Toole he received six more nominations for the Best Actor Oscar but did not win the award. In 2003, the Academy voted O'Toole the Academy Honorary Award for his lifetime achievements in film. O'Toole initially balked, writing the academy a letter saying he was "still in the game" and would like more time to "win the lovely bugger outright." In the end, O'Toole relented and agreed to appear at the ceremony and pick up his Oscar.

Filmography (selected)

Stage Appearances

Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell (1989)

External link

Site focusing specifically on Peter O'Toole:

The Unofficial Peter O'Toole Pages - devoted to the life and work of the noted Irish actor.