Family members, peers, politicians and celebrities from across the world have expressed their sadness at the death of Hollywood legend Peter O’Toole.
O’Toole’s agent Steve Kenis confirmed the Lawrence Of Arabia star’s death, saying he died on Saturday at the Wellington hospital in London after a long illness.
The news has saddened the film industry but simultaneously elicited heartfelt responses from every sector of life.
Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes. He said his thoughts were with O’Toole’s family and friends. ‘His performance in my favourite film, Lawrence of Arabia, was stunning,’ he mused.
Comedian Stephen Fry said: ‘Oh what terrible news. Farewell Peter O’Toole. I had the honour of directing him in a scene. Monster, scholar, lover of life, genius.’
Irish actor Jason O’Mara described O’Toole as ‘an acting legend and a hell raiser’.
‘His last act of defiance was living to see 81, but the work will live on forever. RIP Peter O’Toole,’ he said.
Comedian David Walliams recalled when he and acting partner Matt Lucas had drinks with O’Toole in Los Angeles. ‘He was hugely entertaining,’ he said. ‘The greatest company. A legend on screen and off.’
American director Paul Feig, of Bridesmaids fame, wrote on Twitter: ‘Just heard that Peter O’Toole has died. RIP, sir. You were a hilarious, talented, wild and exciting class act. We need more like him.’
Golden Globe-winning American actor Michael Chiklis posted: ‘RIP Peter O’Toole.Original, hard drinking, classic, actor’s actor. The piercing blue eyes of Lawrence Of Arabia will never fade.’
TV personality Piers Morgan remembered spending a day at the cricket with him. ‘RIP Peter O’Toole,’ he posted on Twitter. ‘Spent one of the funniest days of my life with him at Lord’s a few years ago. A brilliant actor & crazy, hilarious man.’
Actress Sheridan Smith tweeted: ‘So sad about the death of the incredible Peter O Toole 🙁 He saw a play I did last year & sent me & all the cast presents after. A true gent!’
Meanwhile, Denise Van Outen described him as ‘a true ledge’.
Meanwhile, Lord Alan Sugar tweeted: ‘R.I.P Peter O’Toole one of England’s best actors, great performance in the Night of the Generals.’
Sean Ono Lennon added: ‘RIP Peter O’Toole. Got to meet him once at a party. They don’t make em like that anymore. Real genius.‘
In a statement released earlier, Kate O’Toole said: ‘His family are very appreciative and completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us, during this unhappy time. Thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.
‘In due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished. We will be happy to speak to you all then but in the meantime if you could give Peter O’Toole the respect he deserves and allow us to grieve privately we’d appreciate it.
‘Thank you all again for your beautiful tributes – keep them coming.’
The President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, said: ‘I have heard with great sadness of the passing of Peter O’Toole this weekend. Ireland, and the world, has lost one of the giants of film and theatre.
‘In a long list of leading roles on stage and in film, Peter brought an extraordinary standard to bear as an actor. He had a deep interest in literature and a love of Shakespearean Sonnets in particular. While he was nominated as Best Actor for an Oscar eight times, and received a special Oscar from his peers, for his contribution to film, he was deeply committed to the stage.
‘Those who saw him play leading roles on the screen from Lawrence in 1962, or through the role of Henry II in Becket, and The Lion in Winter, or through the dozens of films, will recognise a lifetime devoted to the art form of the camera.
‘Yet others may have have seen him on stage in London, New York, or Dublin where he performed at the Abbey with the late Donal McCann in Godot or at the Gaiety in the plays of Shaw and O’Casey. His performance in Shaw’s plays was outstanding.
‘I was privileged to know him as a friend since 1969. I spent part of 1979 in Clifden where we met almost daily and all of us who knew him in the West will miss his warm humour and generous friendship.
‘To Kate, Pat, Lorcan and Sian my deepest sympathy. Sabina and I and our Children will miss him, as will all those who saw him on screen or stage or had the privilege, as I had, of having his friendship and humour. He was unsurpassed for the grace he brought to every performance on and off the stage.’
