A true Hollywood legend, actor Peter O’Toole died last night, according to TMZ. He was ill for some time and passed away peacefully in his sleep in a London hospital. O’Toole was eighty-one years old. Always a true actor, he made over ninety films and is most remembered for the epic Lawrence of Arabia, which was featured in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi Alien prequel Prometheus; artificial person David (played by Michael Fassbender) studied the film over and over and even went as far to dye his hair blonde in his idolization of the actor. There is no better homage than that, especially for a robot who is supposed to not care about Hollywood idolization. However, one can’t argue with the actor he chose to idolize.
O’Toole is also famous for Good-bye Mr. Chips, Venus, and The Lion in Winter, and did not shy away from comedies such as High Spirits or the comic book world with his turn in Supergirl. He liked to drink and smoke and knew how to have a good time. He even made a cameo appearance in the fun-filled, underrated fantasy film Stardust where he played the king of Stormhold – honestly, would you expect him to play anything else?
He is the only actor to be nominated for the large number of Oscars and never win. However, in 2003 The Academy finally came to their senses and honored him with a special award for his entire fascinating and always entertaining career. During his thank you speech he said, “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride my foot,” proving just how funny he could be when he wasn’t playing it serious. After saying he no longer had the heart for acting he retired from the business last year. With the ever increasing amount of horrible and pointless films being currently produced from Hollywood I don’t blame him.
Irish born and English raised, he will always have a place in Hollywood’s heart. Before he discovered acting he worked as a successful reporter; he made his stage debut at the age of seventeen and never looked back since. His daughter Kate stated, “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. Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts. In due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished.”
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