Peter O'Toole

Birthday: 2 August 1932, Hunslet, Leeds, Yorkshire, England, UK

Birth Name: Peter Seamus O'Toole

Height: 188 cm

A leading man of prodigious talents, Peter O'Toole was raised in Leeds, England, the son of Constance Jane Eliot (Ferguson), a Scottish nurse, and Patrick Joseph O'Toole, an Irish bookie. As ...Show More

I'm a professional, and I'll do anything - a poetry reading, television, cinema, anything that allow Show more I'm a professional, and I'll do anything - a poetry reading, television, cinema, anything that allows me to act... [And also because] it's what I do for a living and, besides, I've got bookies to keep. Hide

"Always a bridesmaid, never a bride - my foot!" (on receiving a lifetime achievement at the 75th Aca Show more "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride - my foot!" (on receiving a lifetime achievement at the 75th Academy awards March 23, 2003.) Hide

The only exercise I take is walking behind the coffins of friends who took exercise. The only exercise I take is walking behind the coffins of friends who took exercise.

[on Sophia Loren] Sophia is gorgeous, a marvelously put together machine. But she's a grievous card Show more [on Sophia Loren] Sophia is gorgeous, a marvelously put together machine. But she's a grievous card sharp; in Naples, they're born with a pack of cards. Give her a nudge and she's the funniest woman in the world. A helluva woman! Hide

The good parts are the people who don't make do. They're the interesting people. Lear doesn't make d Show more The good parts are the people who don't make do. They're the interesting people. Lear doesn't make do. Hide

When I got the part I did what every actor does. I looked in the mirror and realised that this is me Show more When I got the part I did what every actor does. I looked in the mirror and realised that this is meat, this is what you have to work with. Hide

Noël Coward (to O'Toole): "If you'd been any prettier, it would have been Florence of Arabia". Noël Coward (to O'Toole): "If you'd been any prettier, it would have been Florence of Arabia".

The nicest buttocks in the world are in Ireland. Irish women are always carrying water on their head Show more The nicest buttocks in the world are in Ireland. Irish women are always carrying water on their heads, and always carrying their husbands home from pubs. Such things are the greatest posture-builders in the world. Hide

[on Katharine Hepburn] I worship that bloody woman. I've never enjoyed working with anyone so much i Show more [on Katharine Hepburn] I worship that bloody woman. I've never enjoyed working with anyone so much in my whole life, not even Richard Burton. There were no problems, not a one. Hide

Stardom is insidious. It creeps up through the toes. You don't realise what's happening until it rea Show more Stardom is insidious. It creeps up through the toes. You don't realise what's happening until it reaches your nut. That's when it becomes dangerous. Hide

[on Ursula Andress] I've had luck with my leading ladies. The real shocker was Ursula Andress, with Show more [on Ursula Andress] I've had luck with my leading ladies. The real shocker was Ursula Andress, with whom I made What's New Pussycat (1965). She's a bloody sex symbol and all that, and yet she's one of the nicest people you'll ever meet. A real mother hen, looking after everybody. Hide

It's kind of a performing art - writing. I can't sit down to write unless I'm dressed. I mean dresse Show more It's kind of a performing art - writing. I can't sit down to write unless I'm dressed. I mean dressed well and comfortably. And I have to be shaved and bathed and then the curtain goes up. And if I'm not in my study by 10 or 10:30, forget it. I can't write a word. Hide

I will not be a common man because it is my right to be an uncommon man. I will stir the smooth sand Show more I will not be a common man because it is my right to be an uncommon man. I will stir the smooth sands of monotony. Hide

I hitched to London on a lorry, looking for adventure. I was dropped at Euston Station and was tryin Show more 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. Hide

[about his time serving in the Royal Navy] At that point His Majesty felt it was vital to the securi Show more [about his time serving in the Royal Navy] At that point His Majesty felt it was vital to the security of the nation that I join the armed forces [...] I vomited over every cubic foot of the seven seas. Hide

I will not be a common man. I will stir the smooth sands of monotony. I will not be a common man. I will stir the smooth sands of monotony.

If you can't do something willingly and joyfully, then don't do it. If you give up drinking, don't g Show more If you can't do something willingly and joyfully, then don't do it. If you give up drinking, don't go moaning about it. Go back on the bottle. Do. As. Thou. Will. Hide

[I have long been] happy to grasp the hand of misfortune, dissipation, riotous living and violence. [I have long been] happy to grasp the hand of misfortune, dissipation, riotous living and violence.

Booze is the most outrageous of drugs, which is why I chose it. Booze is the most outrageous of drugs, which is why I chose it.

I can't stand light. I hate weather. My idea of heaven is moving from one smoke-filled room to anoth Show more I can't stand light. I hate weather. My idea of heaven is moving from one smoke-filled room to another. Hide

For me, life has either been a wake or a wedding. For me, life has either been a wake or a wedding.

For a young actor it was intimidating. But! You look into the eyes and you see actors know actors. I Show more For a young actor it was intimidating. But! You look into the eyes and you see actors know actors. It's like playing jazz. You really have to go there with your trumpet and compete. Hide

It's all so political. Keep the director happy. Keep the unit happy. Keep them working well. Because Show more It's all so political. Keep the director happy. Keep the unit happy. Keep them working well. Because in the end, it's you up there on the screen. Hide

It's time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films ans stage. The heart for it has gone o Show more It's time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films ans stage. The heart for it has gone out of me. It won't come back. Hide

I enjoyed it. The only thing that wasn't enjoyable was in the green room. I said, 'Can I have a drin Show more I enjoyed it. The only thing that wasn't enjoyable was in the green room. I said, 'Can I have a drink?' 'We have lemon juice, apple juice, still or sparkling.' I said, 'No, I want a drink. No drink?' I said, 'All right, I'm f**king off. I'll be back.' A man with earphones said, 'No! No!' Eventually this vodka was smuggled in. - On The 75th Annual Academy Awards (2003) Hide

[re his Lord Jim (1965) performance] It was a mistake and I made the mistake because I was conservat Show more [re his Lord Jim (1965) performance] It was a mistake and I made the mistake because I was conservative and played safe. And that way lies failure. It was a juvenile lead part and I've decided now at 33 that I'll never become another aging juvenile. Hide

Fornication, madness, murder, drunkenness, shouting, shrieking, leaping polite conversation and the Show more Fornication, madness, murder, drunkenness, shouting, shrieking, leaping polite conversation and the breaking of bones, such jollities constitute acceptable behaviour, but no acting allowed. (his house rules for a New Year's Eve party at his Hampstead home) Hide

[on Henry II, a king he portrayed in both Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968)] I like the ma Show more [on Henry II, a king he portrayed in both Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter (1968)] I like the man. He interests me. He never lost a battle, and yet he never fought a battle if he could arrange it diplomatically. The last thing he ever wanted was to fight, but when he did, he fought. A man of great wit - funny, a lawgiver - and yet at the same time, frail, human. Now, am I describing me? I don't know. I like to think it is, perhaps, just merely a fabulation but I like to think it. Hide

Books have been written about that so-called renaissance at the Royal Court Theatre. Bollocks. I wat Show more Books have been written about that so-called renaissance at the Royal Court Theatre. Bollocks. I watched this appalling bunch of strange young men creeping around, talking pompously. Hide

Peter O'Toole's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (62)

How to Steal a Million

The Last Emperor

Spielberg

The Late Late Show (Ireland) - Season 62

One Night with the King

Caligula

Augustus: The First Emperor (Imperium: Augustus)

The Tudors - Season 4

King Ralph

High Spirits

The Stunt Man

Under Milk Wood

Goodbye, Mr. Chips

Stardust (2007)

PET.E.R O'TOOLE: Along the Sky Road to Aqaba

Casanova - Season 1

FairyTale: A True Story

Lawrence Of Arabia

Venus

Phantoms [Sub: Eng]

Coming Home - Season 1

These Amazing Shadows

Kidnapped

What's New Pussycat?

Global Heresy

Strumpet City - Season 1

Peter O'Toole'S roles

Reginald 'R. J.' Johnston

Prophet Samuel

Emperor Tiberius Caesar

Sir Cedric Charles Willingham

Eli Cross

King