Peter O'Toole

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 RADA (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. He built on the success of this role and garnered six more Academy Award nominations. 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.

In 2003, The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences [finally] pegged O'Toole for an honorary Oscar. O'Toole initially balked at the award, writing the academy a letter saying he was "still in the game" and would like more time to "win the lovely bugger outright." ...but apparently O'Toole relented and agreed to appear at the ceremony and pick up his Oscar.

Filmography, incomplete

• Kidnapped[?] (1960)
• Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
• Becket (1964)
• Lord Jim[?] (1965)
• What's New, Pussycat?[?] (1965)
• How to Steal a Million[?] (1966)
• The Bible (1967)
• Night of the Generals[?] (1967)
• Great Catherine[?] (1968)
• The Lion in Winter (1968)
• Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969)
• Brotherly Love[?] (1969)
• Murphy's War[?] (1971)
• The Ruling Class (1972)
• Man of La Mancha (1972)
• Under Milk Wood[?] (1973)
• Rosebud[?] (1975)
• Power Play[?] (1978)
• Zulu Dawn[?] (1979)
• The Stunt Man (1980)
• Caligula (1980)
• My Favorite Year (1982)
• The Last Emperor (1987)
• High Spirits[?] (1988)
• Wings of Fame[?] (1990)
• King Ralph[?] (1991)
• The Seventh Coin[?] (1992)
• FairyTale: A True Story[?] (1997).

Stage Appearances

• Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell[?] (1989)

External link

Site focusing specifically on Peter O'Toole:

• The Unofficial Peter O'Toole Pages (http://www.realitymouse.com/otoole/) - devoted to the life and work of the noted Irish actor.