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

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

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

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 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.

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

[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

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

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

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

[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

[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

"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

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

[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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 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 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

[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

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".

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

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

Peter O'Toole's FILMOGRAPHY

All as Actor (62)

Casanova - Season 1

Venus

King Ralph

The Daily Show - Season 23

The Tudors - Season 2

Club Paradise

The Lion in Winter