History Creator / PeterOToole

* DyeingForYourArt: O'Toole had naturally brown hair, but dyed it blond to play ''Film/LawrenceOfArabia''. He apparently liked it, or else felt it suited certain characters of his better than his natural color, as he switched repeatedly throughout his career.

* TheNicknamer: When he first met Creator/OmarSharif, he insisted on calling him "Cairo Fred", because there wasn't a movie star in the world named Omar Sharif. Creator/ToshiroMifune was "Toshy", Phyllida Law (an actor he worked with in Bristol) was "Virgin Vinegar", Creator/KatharineHepburn was "Nags" and Creator/VanessaRedgrave was "Big Van".

Peter James O'Toole (August 2, 1932 – December 14, 2013) was a British-Irish actor.

* ''Film/TheBible1966'' (1966) as The Three Angels

* ''Katherine of Alexandria'' (2013) as Gallus, his last role

His StarMakingRole was ''Film/LawrenceOfArabia'' in 1962. Regarded as one of the best actors of all time, he received a record eight UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nominations [[AwardSnub without ever winning one]]. However, in 2003 the Academy gave him a [[ConsolationAward Honorary Oscar]] for his entire body of work and his lifelong contribution to film. On 10 July 2012, Mr. O'Toole announced his retirement from acting. He passed away on December 14, 2013 at age 81 after a long illness.

His StarMakingRole was ''Film/LawrenceOfArabia'' in 1962. Regarded as one of the best actors of all time, he received a record eight UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nominations [[AwardSnub without ever winning one]]. However, in 2003 the Academy gave him a [[ConsolationPrize Honorary Oscar]] for his entire body of work and his lifelong contribution to film. On 10 July 2012, Mr. O'Toole announced his retirement from acting. He passed away on December 14, 2013 at age 81 after a long illness.

* LargeHam: His tendency to overact was legendary. [[TropesAreNotBad And awesome]].

* TheNicknamer: When he first met Omar Sharif, he insisted on calling him "Cairo Fred", because there wasn't a movie star in the world named Omar Sharif. Creator/ToshiroMifune was "Toshy", Phyllida Law (an actor he worked with in Bristol) was "Virgin Vinegar", Creator/KatharineHepburn was "Nags" and Creator/VanessaRedgrave was "Big Van".

!!!'''Series:'''

* ''Literature/LodJim'' (1965) as Lord Jim

* OldShame: He considered ''Film/{{Troy}}'' to be one. He said in an interview that it was his worst film (remember that the man played in ''Film/{{Supergirl}}''...), but that the ''experience'' of making this film was the worst of his career, due to an acrimonious relationship between himself and the director. He never watched the film as a result.

Though he preferred to be called Irish all his life, claimed he was born in Connemara, and had an Irish and an English birth certificate, records verify O'Toole was really born in Leeds, and he grew up in Yorkshire. His parents were Irish and Scottish. Nevertheless, Ireland happily claims him as one of our own. His ashes even resided temporarily in Áras an Uachtaráin, as he was a personal friend of President Michael D Higgins.

His StarMakingRole was ''Film/LawrenceOfArabia'' in 1962. Regarded as one of the best actors of all time, he received a record 8 UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nominations [[AwardSnub without ever winning one]]. However, in 2003 the Academy gave him a [[ConsolationPrize Honorary Oscar]] for his entire body of work and his lifelong contribution to film. On 10 July 2012, Mr. O'Toole announced his retirement from acting. He passed away on December 14, 2013 at age 81 after a long illness.

Though he preferred to be called Irish all his life, claimed he was born in Connemara, and had an Irish and an English birth certificate, records verify he was really born in Leeds, and he grew up in Yorkshire. His parents were Irish and Scottish. Nevertheless, Ireland happily claims him as one of our own. His ashes even resided temporarily in Áras an Uachtaráin, as he was a personal friend of President Michael D Higgins.

Peter O'Toole (August 2, 1932 – December 14, 2013) was an Irish actor.

Though he preferred to be called Irish all his life, claimed he was born in Connemara and had an Irish and an English birth certificate, records verify he was really born in Leeds, and he grew up in Yorkshire. His parents were Irish and Scottish. Nevertheless, Ireland happily claims him as one of our own. His ashes even resided temporarily in Áras an Uachtaráin, as he was a personal friend of President Michael D Higgins.

' WhatBeautifulEyes: O'Toole's most striking feature has always been his gorgeous bright blue eyes.

* OldShame: He considered ''Film/{{Troy}}'' to be one. He said in an interview that not that it was his worst film (remember that the man played in ''Film/{{Supergirl}}''...), but that the ''experience'' of making this film was the worst of his career, due to an acrimonious relationship between himself and the director. He never watched the film as a result.

[[quoteright:240:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/peter_otoole_3585.jpg]]

"I hitched to London on a lorry, looking for adventure. I was dropped at Euston Station and was trying to find a hostel. I passed the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and walked in just to case the joint."

!!Associated Tropes:
* TheAlcoholic: Notorious for his heavy drinking in the 70s, but had to cut back after battling stomach cancer and blood poisoning.
* ConsolationPrize: O'Toole wasn't actually that happy about accepting an Honorary Oscar, writing a letter to the Academy saying he was "still in the game" and wanted to "win the lovely bugger outright". When they informed him he'd be getting it whether he wanted it or not, he acceded.

* [[ShakespearianActors Shakespearian Actor]]: Performed at the Bristol Old Vic early in his career and later did a season at the RSC.
* TrueCompanions: With fellow hard-drinking thespians Creator/RichardHarris, Creator/RichardBurton and Creator/OliverReed. If you've ever worked in the theatre industry, you've probably heard at least one (probably apocryphal but always funny) drinking story about the group.[[labelnote:ex.]]Like the time O'Toole and Harris (or maybe Burton) were drinking in town, and decided to catch a show. Halfway through, O'Toole nudges Burton (or maybe Harris) and says "This is the good bit, this is where I come in... [[OhCrap AH SHIT]]!"[[/labelnote]] After Harris died, it was widely rumoured that his family had wanted O'Toole [[TheOtherDarrin to take over the role of Albus Dumbledore]] in the ''Film/HarryPotter'' films. He was also very close with his ''Film/TheLionInWinter'' costar Creator/KatharineHepburn.
* VitriolicBestBuds: With Creator/BrianBlessed. The alcoholic O'Toole and teetotaling Blessed were often at odds over their friendship that spanned six decades, even physically fighting on occasion, but they remained great friends.

* BlueEyes: His most famous feature was his ridiculously beautiful blue eyes, which were either [[InnocentBlueEyes innocent]], [[CreepyBlueEyes creepy]] or [[IcyBlueEyes icy]] depending on the role.