The acting legend Peter O’Toole was born 92 years ago
The Irish actor rose to international stardom with the 1962 epic “Lawrence of Arabia” and holds the record for the most Oscar nominated actor without a win
The acting legend Peter O’Toole was born 92 years ago
The acclaimed and awarded actor Peter O’Toole achieved international recognition by starring in the 1962 movie “Lawrence of Arabia”, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination
Peter Seamus O’Toole was born on August 2, 1932, in Connemara, County Galway, Ireland. He was raised in Leeds, England, where his father was a bookmaker, and his mother was a nurse. O’Toole’s early education was interrupted by World War II, during which he was evacuated to the countryside. After the war, he returned to Leeds and attended the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, where he honed his acting skills alongside contemporaries such as Albert Finney and Alan Bates.
O’Toole’s early career was marked by his work in British theatre and television. He gained recognition for his performances at the Bristol Old Vic and the Royal Shakespeare Company. The actor reportedly refused movie roles for years despite being much in demand, and it wasn’t until the 1960’s that he finally accepted to play in movies. His breakthrough came in 1962 when he was cast in the title role of Sir David Lean’s $12 million epic film “Lawrence of Arabia.” O’Toole’s portrayal of T.E. Lawrence brought him international fame and his first Academy Award nomination. Despite never winning an Oscar, he received eight nominations over his career, an unprecedented number for an actor who never won.
He still holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations for acting without a win, and was awarded his only Oscar in 2002, an Academy Honorary Award for his career achievements.
Following “Lawrence of Arabia,” O’Toole starred in a string of successful films, including “Becket” (1964), “The Lion in Winter” (1968), and “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” (1969). His charismatic presence and intense performances made him a beloved figure in Hollywood. However, his career was also marked by periods of decline due to his struggles with alcoholism. Despite this, he made notable comebacks, such as his role in “The Stunt Man” (1980) and “My Favorite Year” (1982), both of which earned him further Academy Award nominations.
O’Toole married actress Siân Phillips in 1959, with whom he had two daughters, Kate and Patricia. The couple divorced in 1979. He later had a son, Lorcan, with model Karen Brown. O’Toole was known for his wit, charm, and often outrageous behavior, which made him a favorite of the press and his fans.
In his later years, O’Toole continued to work in film and television, receiving acclaim for his role in “Venus” (2006), which garnered him his eighth Oscar nomination. He announced his retirement from acting in 2012, citing a desire to “chuck the sock” and pursue other interests.
Peter O’Toole passed away on December 14, 2013, at the Wellington Hospital in London, at the age of 81. The cause of death was complications from a long illness. His death marked the end of an era for many fans and colleagues who remembered him as one of the greatest actors of his generation. His last ever completed movie was “Diamond Cartel,” released posthumously in 2017.
Look back at Peter O’Toole as T.E Lawrence in these 2 clips of the 1962 epic “Lawrence of Arabia”
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