There’s a line in Bennett Miller’s Moneyball I think of whenever I see someone as impactful as Peter O’Toole stepping away from a profession, especially one a lot of people aspire to do: “We’re all told at some point and time that we can no longer play the children’s game. We just don’t know when that’s going to be. Some of us are told at 18, some of us are told at 40. But we’re all told.” Looks like Peter O’Toole was told at the youthful 79, because up until recently, the man was working his ass off. The longtime legend of the stage and screen has decided to retire from the profession that got him eight Oscar nominations.

Peter O’Toole was born in Ireland in 1932 and began his acting career in 1956 acting as Cornwall in the stage production of King Lear. His big break came in 1962 with one of the greatest films of all-time, Lawrence Of Arabia, which got him his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. After that nomination Peter had quite the run as far as Oscar nominations go, being nominated five times in ten years. It may surprise you that Peter has never actually won an Oscar — a feeling Leonard Dicaprio is all too familiar with. He has eight nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role with no wins, making him the record holder for most nominations in that category without winning the award. However, in 2003 he was the recipient of an Honorary Oscar. Peter O’Toole has acted on stage for 35 different plays and has also acted for 92 different titles in film and television.

One thing is for sure, productions all over will miss this seasoned vet. While many of you may not be aware of his work, I encourage you to check out some of Peter O’Toole’s work. You will not be disappointed.

What Is Your Favorite Peter O’Toole Role?

 

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