Peter O’Toole, the gentleman actor with the bright blue eyes and one of the finest thespians in the world, has left us. 

Born in Leeds, August 2nd, 1932, the son of a bookie, his focus on life was to be a journalist. After attending Catholic school, where nuns beat him to correct his left-handedness,  Mr. O’Toole became a copy boy for a local newspaper where he rose through the ranks to fulfill his dream as a reporter only to be drawn to the theater at 17.

After serving as a radioman in the Royal Navy, he entered the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts between 1952-1954 on a scholarship where his classmates included Alan Bates, Albert Finney and Richard Harris.

After spending several years on stage at the Old Vic and minor roles, he was chosen by David Lean for the role of T.E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia of which Marlon Brandon and Albert Finney both turned down the part. The role made Mr. O’Toole an international star.

Nominated eight times for an Academy Award for Best Actor, he received a special Oscar in 2003 for his wide body of work.

Acting roles were many, but stand outs include Becket, A Lion In Winter, Lord Jim, What’s New Pussycat?, Night of the Generals, Goodbye Mr. Chips, The Ruling Class, Man of La Mancha, Murphy’s War, The Stunt Man, My Favorite Year, The Last Emperor. He also featured in Casino Royale and Supergirl, and in the Ray Bradbury Theater where he channeled John Huston in the role of John Hampton in, Mr. Bradbury’s story, The Banshee.

An incredibly gifted actor that we will always remember.