Born Aug. 2, 1932, in County Galway, Ireland, Peter O'Toole spent his boyhood working for the Yorkshire Evening News. After turning his attention to acting a few years later, he worked in various theaters, including the Bristol Old Vic, Stratford and The National Theatre.After a few small film parts, O'Toole was catapulted to worldwide stardom (and received the first of eight Best Actor Oscar nods) with the title role in Lawrence of Arabia (1962). He followed this triumph with much-praised work in Becket (1964), The Lion in Winter (1968), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969) and The Ruling Class (1972).
Poor health as a result of excessive drinking nearly ended his career in the 1970s, but he returned to form with 1980's The Stunt Man and 1982's My Favorite Year. O'Toole continued to work for a couple decades in films such as the blockbuster hit Troy, and in 2006, he gave an Oscar-nominated performance in Venus.
Lawrence of ArabiaThis Oscar-winning epic tells the true story of T.E. Lawrence, who helped unite warring Arab tribes to strike back against the Turks in World War I. This lush, timeless classic underscores the clash between cultures that changed the tide of war. Read More
The Lion in WinterIn this stylish costume drama, England's King Henry II (Peter O'Toole) and his dysfunctional family gather on Christmas Eve to decide who will inherit the throne. What ensues is a bitter battle of wills that strains every family bond of love and trust. Henry fancies youngest son John (Nigel Terry),... Read More
VenusThis romantic dark comedy stars film legend Peter O'Toole (who earned an Oscar nod for his performance) as veteran actor Maurice, a man whose quiet golden years turn topsy-turvy when he falls for a young and brash nude model (Jodie Whittaker). Director Roger Michell's poignant May-December romance... Read More
My Favorite YearPeter O'Toole delivers a sensational knockout performance as Alan Swann, a booze-loving matinee idol -- and a has-been through and through -- who's forced into making a live variety show appearance to appease the Internal Revenue Service after they nail him for back taxes. Joseph Bologna (modeled... Read More
High SpiritsPeter Plunkett (Peter O'Toole), the owner of a debt-ridden Irish castle, hatches a plan to lure American tourists by advertising the place as haunted. But when Peter and his staff don sheets and chains as part of their ploy, the real ghosts decide to join the fun. Love enters the game when... Read More
