In Memoriam: Peter O'Toole (1932 - 2013)

 

Peter O'Toole - Eight time Academy Award nominee, four time Golden Globe winner, Emmy, BAFTA award winning actor past away on December 15th, 2013 at the age of 81. Peter O'Toole was born in Ireland and raised in Leeds, England. Once discovering his passion for the arts, Peter made his stage debut at the age of 17 years old and never looked back. Between 1952 to 1954 he attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art with classmates such as Alan Bates and Albert Finney.

Peter O'Toole spent several years acting in various productions in the famed Bristol Old Vic. After

playing in three motion pictures and several television programs in the late 50's and early 60's the role that landed him stardom was right around the corner. To be Peter O'Toole's 4th film appearance it would also land him on a global platform after being chosen by director David Lean to helm the motion picture "Lawrence of Arabia" in 1962. He played the lead role as T.E. Lawrence and help make it one of the best classic motion pictures of all time.

Through out Peter O'Toole's life it was troubled by very heavy drinking that nearly killed him in the 1970's. Peter was a tough person who fought the battle of substance abuse and won and triumphed in many other classic films and roles such as: "The Lion In Winter" "Becket" "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" "The Ruling Class" "The Stunt Man" "My Favorite Year" "Venus" "Man of La Mancha" "The Last Emperor" "Troy" and many other noteworthy roles.