Posted on 07/11/2012 7:45:32 AM PDT by beaversmom
Screen legend Peter O'Toole announced today that he is retiring from acting.
"It's time for me to chuck in the sponge," he said in a statement. "To retire from stage and screen. The heart for it has gone out of me; it won't come back."
O'Toole, who turns 80 on Aug. 2, achieved international stardom and his first Oscar nomination for David Lean's 1962's Academy Award-winning epic "Lawrence of Arabia." O'Toole was 27 when he earned the coveted title role. When he was cast in 1960, The Times quoted a London critic who called the young actor "a blazing new talent."
At the time, O'Toole was known mainly for his work on stage. But producer Sam Spiegel told The Times he wanted a new face for the part of T.E. Lawrence.
O'Toole went on to earn best actor nominations -- but no wins -- for 1964's "Becket," 1968's "The Lion in Winter," 1969's "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," 1972's "The Ruling Class," 1980's "The Stunt Man," 1982's "My Favorite Year" and 2006's "Venus." He earned an honorary Oscar in 2003.
This Tuesday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is presenting the U.S. premiere of the new digital restoration of "Lawrence of Arabia" at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
“My Favorite year” was a fictionalized account of a young Mel Brooks when he was a junior writer on “Your Show of Shows” with Sid Caesar. He lobbied to keep Errol Flynn on a live episode even though Flynn was chronically drunk and womanizing. Sid assigned Mel to babysit Errol Flynn through the week of rehearsals and to get him on the stage on time for the live airing.
Here is his filmography:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000564/
His first role was on TV in the 1956 production of “The Scarlet Pimpernel”, as ‘The First Soldier’.
His last role was as Symeon, in Mary Mother of Christ (2013, in pre-production).
“Under the reign of terror of Herod the Great and against all odds, Mary and Joseph survive as young parents in one of the most treacherous times in history. From Mary’s youth to her struggles as a young mother caring for her child, Jesus, up to the age of four years old. We will peer into Mary’s life at ages 8, 15, 19 and 27.”
About O’Toole’s role as Simeon:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simeon_%28Gospel_of_Luke%29
Wish I had known. One of my favorites of O’Toole’s.
All good things do,sadly, come to an end.
The sadness is that he has lost his heart for it. On the other hand, he might just be acting.
He is an astoundingly versatile actor - who has been at the top of his profession for over fifty years and could probably do another fifty without stopping to catch a breath.
Given the nature of the business, that is a phenomenal accomplishment.
My favorite O’Toole role is in the little seen and underappreciated MURPHY’S WAR. Skinny Irishman versus a Nazi submarine. Don’t pi$$ off the Irish!
I remember him from Masada, and ABC miniseries that ran in the early 80s. He was one of the Romans. I really don’t remember much from the series/movie, as I was about 15 at the time. Haven’t seen it since. But I just remember him from the series, thinking this guy is awesome.
The other match scene—one of the best in cinematic history IMO:
The Most Famous of Edits
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypul7nPcMII
I was probably the only teen, or one of the very few, that had the Masada soundtrack:
Masada - Jerry Goldsmith
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6U3S9AwbTI
Thanks for the interesting trivia.
Wow, it looks like someone has posted the whole Masada mini-series on You Tube. Here’s Part 1 of 4:
Masada 1 of 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T5sqKzSAO8&;
Aahh, a Hollywood Knights reference. Well played, Sir. Well played.
Just saw him the other day in My Favorite Year. Fantastic film.
Mark
Darn! One of my favorite actors. I think “Lion in Winter” was his film apogee. I also love him in lesser roles... always entertaining. You’ll have to see “My Favorite Year! I believe we put it on the list. Oh, and there are few late-night talk show guest more entertaining. He tells the most hilarious stories, and his love of life fills the theater. There are a lot of these appearances on YouTube.
Come on Peter. Have a few drinks, grab a pole and head for Holland.
I’ve seen some of those on You Tube. He’s been on David Letterman several times.
Sorry to hear he is retiring. I’ve enjoyed his acting over the years. Enjoy the rest of the time you have Mr. O’Toole.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.