Peter O'Toole, Lawrence of Arabia star, dies aged 81


File photo: Peter O'Toole 2003

LONDON: -- 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".

But when he finally clasped his statuette, he said: "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, my foot."

Full story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25393557


-- BBC 2013-12-16

Very sad. A fantastic actor. A true artist.

'Lawrence of Arabia' star Peter O'Toole dead at 81

LONDON, ENGLAND (BNO NEWS) -- British actor Peter O'Toole, who shot to international fame by playing T. E. Lawrence in the 1962 blockbuster movie "Lawrence of Arabia," died at a hospital in London on Saturday after suffering from a long illness, his family announced on Sunday. He was 81.

"Peter O'Toole's family announced today that, very sadly, Peter died yesterday (Saturday), peacefully in hospital. He had been ill for some time," his agent Steve Kenis said. The retired actor was being treated at Wellington Hospital in London, the largest independent hospital in the United Kingdom, but the nature of his illness was not disclosed.

"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," daughter Kate O'Toole said in an e-mailed statement on late Sunday. "Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts."

O'Toole officially retired from acting in July 2012 after a career spanning more than 50 years, which earned him eight Oscar nominations and an honorary Oscar. Besides "Lawrence of Arabia," other works that earned him Oscar nominations include the 1964 movie "Becket," the 1968 movie "The Lion in Winter," the 1969 movie "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," the 1972 movie "The Ruling Class," and the 2006 movie "Venus."

"Ireland, and the world, has lost one of the giants of film and theater," Irish President Michael Higgins said after hearing the news. "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."

Higgins, who had been friends with O'Toole for more than four decades, said he will miss his humor and friendship. "[My wife] 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 enjoying his friendship and humor," he said.

British Prime Minister David Cameron also praised O'Toole's work in a brief message on the social networking website Twitter. "My thoughts are with Peter O'Toole's family and friends. His performance in my favorite film, Lawrence of Arabia, was stunning," the prime minister wrote.

O'Toole's daughter Kate said a memorial service will take place in the near future, but asked for privacy in the meantime. "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," she said.

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)


-- 2013-12-16

He gave us so much... Good Bye

One of the greats. RIP

Great actor, wonderful voice, catch you later mate.

What a classic legacy. After Lawrence of Arabia, i took note of this fine actor and have followed his career. He will be missed!

Peter O'Toole, one of the finest actors I know. RIP "Lawrence of Arabia"

Truly a classic.

I'll have to put on "My Favorite Year" tonight. RIP

Three of the greatest British actors. All gone to that other great stage. We miss you all, guys

I first saw Lawrence of Arabia with my dad and brother when I was 5 or 6 in 1964. Even at that age it was exciting.

Since then I have lost count how many times I have watched it and every time it is riveting.

He was a superb actor who was robbed of the Oscar for best actor in 1963 but nevertheless it was the film that defined his career and established him as one of the great actors of stage and screen.

I salute you sir. Thank you for the wonderful contribution you made!

He was an excelent character actor,a true star,we will not see his like again.

Some nice tributes. Agree with them all.

Good night Mr O'Toole

burton.jpgharris.jpgo'toole.jpg

Three of the greatest British actors. All gone to that other great stage. We miss you all, guys

take a wild guess how often i watched "The Wild Geese" and "Lawrence of Arabia".

A true gentleman. LOA is, in my opinion, one of the greatest movies ever. I bought the remastered version a few years ago and it was incredible. He will be missed. RIP

In his eye he was a rascal, great actor. Sadly we all meet our maker sometime.............RIP............

One of the Best of all ages.

RIP Peter, you will be missed.

In his eye he was a rascal, great actor. Sadly we all meet our maker sometime.............RIP............

Rascal!

The very word I was searching for!!

Peter O'Tool, Richard Harris, Richard Burton et al .

Rascals all.

And we should all be grateful for their contribution to our otherwise humdrum lives.

Patrick

Hard to forget The Lion in Winter with Hepburn, one of his best.

burton.jpgharris.jpgo'toole.jpg

Three of the greatest British actors. All gone to that other great stage. We miss you all, guys

I totally agree with the sentiment; but the pedant in me must point out that Harris was Irish.