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 the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (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 Siān 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.
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2 Stage Appearances 3 External link |
Site focusing specifically on Peter O'Toole:
Filmography, incomplete
Stage Appearances
External link