Peter O’Toole, best know for ‘Lawrence of Arabia’, has died

Actor Peter O’Toole died on Saturday Dec 15 2013 although it was only announced today by his agent. He is best know for his starring role in Sir David Lean’s 1962 film classic Lawrence of Arabia.

He was suffering from a long illness and in London’s Wellington hospital when he died. He was 81.

Despite being nominated for an Oscar many times he aways missed out so in 2003 the Academy give him an honorary Oscar. He had been offered this before but had initially turned it down. Upon receiving the statuette, he said: “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride, my foot”.

Lawrence of Arabia in 1962 was the first of eight Oscar nominations, with his second for 1964’s Becket, in which he played King Henry II. In 1968 for The Lion in Winter he received his third Oscar nomination.

The other nominations were for Goodbye, Mr Chips in 1968, The Ruling Class in 1971, The Stunt Man in 1980, My Favorite Year in 1982 and Venus in 2006.

Peter O’Toole’s daughter Kate, who was with him at the hospital, said the family was overwhelmed “by the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us”.

Peter O’Toole – Image Gallery

Peter O’Toole receiving an Honorary Oscar®

httpv://youtu.be/Wt564HJ_Irg