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If he sticks with it, it’s a fitting end to the six-decade-plus career of the Irish actor, who released a very Peter O’Toole-like statement today saying he is retiring from films and stage just shy of his 80th birthday. The Lawrence Of Arabia and My Favourite Year star has done just about everything in the business — winning BAFTAs, Golden Globes and Emmys. But never won the Academy Award, though he was given an honorary Oscar in 2003. Here’s the statement:
Dear All
It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me: it won’t come back.My professional acting life, stage and screen, has brought me public support, emotional fulfillment and material comfort. It has brought me together with fine people, good companions with whom I’ve shared the inevitable lot of all actors: flops and hits.
However, it’s my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one’s stay. So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell.
Ever
Peter O’Toole
(Photo: Getty Images)
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Thank you for sharing your gift with us, Peter.
Thank you Sir. I’ll be raising a glass to you this evening. Hell, I’ll be raising quite a few glasses to you this evening.
In my top ten. Crazy as Brando; close to being just as original a sensibility. Unique. Just like the statement. Nobody else even remotely like him.
Was this because of Prometheus?
…aka No one is able to insure me anymore.
Still a crime he did not win an Oscar with his fantastic body of work. 8 nominations and no wins. Only an honorary Oscar. Shame.
Thank you Peter.
Hats off to you, Sir. Enjoy your retirement.
And we get to watch and re-watch all those marvelous movies!
Cheers!
There will never be another like him.
Bravo! You gave us years of enjoyment! Hope the roses smell wonderful!
PLEASE let him keep writing his “Loitering With Intent” memoirs. To read them is to hear his voice — sitting beside you in your local — intoxicated by his language, his lilt, and his stories.
devastated!
My favorites of his were Lawrence of Arabia, Becket, The Stunt Man, Creator, The Lion in Winter and The Ruling Class — which I drove 90 miles in a white-out blizzard to see in Sun Valley, Idaho, a million years ago. And it was worth every gray hair I got doing it.
Thank you, Mr. O’Toole, for so very many hours of pleasure for so very many years.
Thank you, Mr. O’Toole, for all of your many contributions.
But damn. Always hoped he would “win the lovely bugger outright”
Still can’t believe it.
One of the most over-rated actors of all time. More ham than talent.
What an awful comment to make re one of the greatest actors of all time. Over-rated: What??? A ham??? You are some jealous dude, some very jealous mean-spirited dude.
Peter was, is, and always be a legend – probably the last legend of the screen. How could that damned ‘ampas’ deny him the Best Actor award? His performance as LOA is iconic, as is the film. He should have won at least two Best Actor awards.
I love you peter; you’ve always been my unrequited love. I wish you all that is wonderful. There wil never be another like you.
We raised a glass in your honor tonight – to all actors who tour or who are otherwise torn from their home. God Bless You.
x
We should all be so lucky as to fare so well…
And he enjoyed himself along the way.
HIS MR. CHIPS STILL MAKES ME CRY….
Just saw Peter O’Toole in “Venus” and I have to say, the kid’s STILL got it. Mr. O’Toole, put simply, has GREAT acting chops, time in and out — the epitome of the thespian craft at its apex. If this is his adios to the biz, he leaves behind an enviable trove of celluloid gems. Thanks Mr O’Toole and a happy retirement to you.
Better to go out on your own terms – graceful as always. It will always be hard to reconcile an industry that gave competitive acting Oscars to Cuba Gooding, Anna Paquin, Roberto Benini etc., but never to O’Toole.
I loved him in Supergirl! One of the dumbest and super confusing movies ever but his scenes were genuine and he did better with the material than any other actor could have. Plus all of his other fine works he leaves us with! Thank you Peter!
Such a groovy way to go out. Bravo Mr. O’Toole.
Easily one of the most straight from the heart statements I’ve seen in a while. Bravo and cheers to you sir.
Thank you dearest Peter for some of the most wonderful memories of my life; seeing you so perfectly as LOA is one; I first saw this as a firl. Immortal performance, immortal film. Your beautifully handsome face, blonde hair, tall, lean, etc. etc.
I’ve always loved you. Good luck my dearest Peter.