RIP Peter O'Toole

[sjordan2]

To see Peter O'Toole onstage was to appreciate him differently. Back in the 70's, I had the extraordinary pleasure of sitting in 4th row center at the Kennedy Center in D.C. to see him in "Uncle Vanya." Before the first act, the college girls in front of me were shouting "'awrence, 'awrence," as in Lawrence of Arabia. It's hard to immerse oneself in the play when you're looking at one of the world's most legendary actors just a few feet away. He had an overbite and was prone to spitting and wiping his lips and beard as he spoke. But I will never forget this great actor's work. He made some of my most favorite movies, and always took a chance.

[slusher]

I know him only as being in Troy with Brad Pitt we have lost many great older actors over the years...

[Lunajammer]

One obit I read referred to his role in "The Last Emperor" as a cameo but it was played exactly right and gave the scenes an enjoyable depth. I finally bought Lawrence of Arabia after getting sucked into it every time it came on TCM or cable, regardless of how far into it I joined.

...And then there was "Caligula" Ohhhhh Pete.