Mr. Burgundy
Active member
The trick is not minding it hurts....
R.I.P.
Stay Classy!
Word came in Sunday morning of the death of Peter O’Toole, the great Irish actor, raised in Britain, and best known for two great roles — “Lawrence of Arabia” and Peter O’Toole.
“Lawrence of Arabia” is a wonderfully exuberant and yet psychologically specific performance. And the role of Peter O’Toole — well, that was also exuberant. He always gave the impression of a man who enjoyed life. (He also didn’t give the impression of being anything like a health nut, so the 81 years definitely must rank as an accomplishment.) He turned a joyful, unconquerable face to the world, and the world was always grateful.
In addition to those two great roles, there were many others of course. Henry II in two films, “Becket” and “A Lion in Winter.” A decadent lord in “The Ruling Class.” An alcoholic movie star in “My Favorite Year.” Tiberius in “Caligula.” And there was the British stage, a whole other aspect of his career and one with which I wish I were familiar.
He became more frail as he got older, and his exuberance lessened — but his acting remained sharp, and he brought great feeling and precision to his later roles, as in “Venus” or as the martyred priest in “For Greater Glory.” The latter was not a successful film in any way, but for O’Toole, whose commitment to the part — inextricable from the commitment of the priest within the film — remains memorable.
Anyway, he was an original, and a great actor. The above gallery shows some highlights of his career over the last fifty years. Not all the highlights, but some.
R.I.P.
Stay Classy!
Word came in Sunday morning of the death of Peter O’Toole, the great Irish actor, raised in Britain, and best known for two great roles — “Lawrence of Arabia” and Peter O’Toole.
“Lawrence of Arabia” is a wonderfully exuberant and yet psychologically specific performance. And the role of Peter O’Toole — well, that was also exuberant. He always gave the impression of a man who enjoyed life. (He also didn’t give the impression of being anything like a health nut, so the 81 years definitely must rank as an accomplishment.) He turned a joyful, unconquerable face to the world, and the world was always grateful.
In addition to those two great roles, there were many others of course. Henry II in two films, “Becket” and “A Lion in Winter.” A decadent lord in “The Ruling Class.” An alcoholic movie star in “My Favorite Year.” Tiberius in “Caligula.” And there was the British stage, a whole other aspect of his career and one with which I wish I were familiar.
He became more frail as he got older, and his exuberance lessened — but his acting remained sharp, and he brought great feeling and precision to his later roles, as in “Venus” or as the martyred priest in “For Greater Glory.” The latter was not a successful film in any way, but for O’Toole, whose commitment to the part — inextricable from the commitment of the priest within the film — remains memorable.
Anyway, he was an original, and a great actor. The above gallery shows some highlights of his career over the last fifty years. Not all the highlights, but some.
Rest easy Sir.
