Peter Graves narrates this account of the life and career of Peter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole, from his humble birth in Connemara, Ireland, to his formative years, in Leeds, England, to his rise to fame in theatre and film, as actor Peter O'Toole.
Born in 1932, as the third child of Constance Jane Ferguson, a Scottish Protestant nurse, and Patrick Joseph O'Toole, an Irish Catholic metal plater, after his mother converts to his father's faith, Peter develops an early interest in the British stage.
After serving in the British Royal Navy, Peter enrolls in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, along with future stars Albert Finney, Alan Bates and Brian Bedford. After this....
* Peter hones his skills as Shakespearean actor at the Bristol Old Vic and with the English Stage Company, during the early 1950's, where he becomes known as a non-conformist with a slight touch of "arrogance," as reported by some of those around him.
* From 1955-58, he performs in 73 roles on stage during this three-year period, to establish his prolific acting career.
* Peter O'Toole makes his television debut in 1954, and his considerably minor film debut in 1959, leaving Peter to remark that the stage remains his first priority, a position which he maintains for years to follow.
* His 1960 work with the Royal Shakespeare Company continues to establish Peter O'Toole as a foremost stage actor, appearing in "The Taming of the Shrew," "The Merchant of Venice" and "Troilus and Cressida" in starring roles, and later reprising his "Hamlet" role at National Theatre.
* For his title role in "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), Peter studies many texts focusing upon the life of T.E. Lawrence, dyes his hair white, and spends two years filming in Jordan for the sake of authenticity.
* This episode cites several other stage roles in the career of Peter O'Toole, including his 1980 return to Old Vic Theatre, to portray "MacBeth."
* Peter marries his often-co-starring Irish actress Siân Phillips (1959-79), and they welcome two daughters, Kate and Patricia.
* 1976, Peter undergoes surgery to address results of his life-long passion for alcohol, but obeys physicians who suggest that he never drink again. 1978, he undergoes additional treatment for a blood disorder, and nearly loses his life once again.
* While his marriage has been standing on rocky grounds for several years, Siân stands beside Peter, to help him through his difficult times and recovery period, before dumping him for British actor Robin Sachs.
* 1983, model Karen Brown and Peter welcome a son, Lorcan Patrick O'Toole, over whom they fight bitterly in the courts for custody. Peter eventually gains visitation rights and primary custodial rights, leaving Peter and Lorcan Patrick O'Toole inseparable.
* Peter O'Toole has been nominated for seven (at the time, and an eighth since) Academy Awards, and holds the record for most Academy Award acting nominations without a win. But he has won Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and an Emmy (and has since become a recipient of an Honorary Academy Award).
* When debating whether or not an actor may establish legendary status in both theatre and film, scholars often point to the work of Peter O'Toole, as evidence that, yes, this feat is rare but possible because of Mr. O'Toole's outstanding achievements in either venue.
Interview Guests for this episode consist of Actresses Siân Phillips (former wife), Kate O'Toole (daughter), and Jodie Foster, Actors Timothy Dalton, Kenneth Griffith and Eli Wallach, Kenneth Berris (Director), and Michael Freedland (Biographer).
Archive footage includes Peter O'Toole, Anthony Quayle, Richard Burton, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Philip Bruns, Steve Railsback, Allen Garfield, Barry Norman and Gabrielle Anwar, each in speaking roles.
Film Clips include a screen glimpse of Peter through the years, in scenes from "The King's Daughter" (1960) (TV), "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), "Becket" (1964), "How to Steal a Million" (1966), "The Lion in Winter" (1968), "The Ruling Class" (1972), "The Stunt Man" (1980), "Svengali" (1983) (TV), and "The Manor" (1999), plus BBC Interviews, one with Kenneth Griffith, and one from 1983.
Born in 1932, as the third child of Constance Jane Ferguson, a Scottish Protestant nurse, and Patrick Joseph O'Toole, an Irish Catholic metal plater, after his mother converts to his father's faith, Peter develops an early interest in the British stage.
After serving in the British Royal Navy, Peter enrolls in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, along with future stars Albert Finney, Alan Bates and Brian Bedford. After this....
* Peter hones his skills as Shakespearean actor at the Bristol Old Vic and with the English Stage Company, during the early 1950's, where he becomes known as a non-conformist with a slight touch of "arrogance," as reported by some of those around him.
* From 1955-58, he performs in 73 roles on stage during this three-year period, to establish his prolific acting career.
* Peter O'Toole makes his television debut in 1954, and his considerably minor film debut in 1959, leaving Peter to remark that the stage remains his first priority, a position which he maintains for years to follow.
* His 1960 work with the Royal Shakespeare Company continues to establish Peter O'Toole as a foremost stage actor, appearing in "The Taming of the Shrew," "The Merchant of Venice" and "Troilus and Cressida" in starring roles, and later reprising his "Hamlet" role at National Theatre.
* For his title role in "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), Peter studies many texts focusing upon the life of T.E. Lawrence, dyes his hair white, and spends two years filming in Jordan for the sake of authenticity.
* This episode cites several other stage roles in the career of Peter O'Toole, including his 1980 return to Old Vic Theatre, to portray "MacBeth."
* Peter marries his often-co-starring Irish actress Siân Phillips (1959-79), and they welcome two daughters, Kate and Patricia.
* 1976, Peter undergoes surgery to address results of his life-long passion for alcohol, but obeys physicians who suggest that he never drink again. 1978, he undergoes additional treatment for a blood disorder, and nearly loses his life once again.
* While his marriage has been standing on rocky grounds for several years, Siân stands beside Peter, to help him through his difficult times and recovery period, before dumping him for British actor Robin Sachs.
* 1983, model Karen Brown and Peter welcome a son, Lorcan Patrick O'Toole, over whom they fight bitterly in the courts for custody. Peter eventually gains visitation rights and primary custodial rights, leaving Peter and Lorcan Patrick O'Toole inseparable.
* Peter O'Toole has been nominated for seven (at the time, and an eighth since) Academy Awards, and holds the record for most Academy Award acting nominations without a win. But he has won Golden Globes, a BAFTA, and an Emmy (and has since become a recipient of an Honorary Academy Award).
* When debating whether or not an actor may establish legendary status in both theatre and film, scholars often point to the work of Peter O'Toole, as evidence that, yes, this feat is rare but possible because of Mr. O'Toole's outstanding achievements in either venue.
Interview Guests for this episode consist of Actresses Siân Phillips (former wife), Kate O'Toole (daughter), and Jodie Foster, Actors Timothy Dalton, Kenneth Griffith and Eli Wallach, Kenneth Berris (Director), and Michael Freedland (Biographer).
Archive footage includes Peter O'Toole, Anthony Quayle, Richard Burton, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Philip Bruns, Steve Railsback, Allen Garfield, Barry Norman and Gabrielle Anwar, each in speaking roles.
Film Clips include a screen glimpse of Peter through the years, in scenes from "The King's Daughter" (1960) (TV), "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962), "Becket" (1964), "How to Steal a Million" (1966), "The Lion in Winter" (1968), "The Ruling Class" (1972), "The Stunt Man" (1980), "Svengali" (1983) (TV), and "The Manor" (1999), plus BBC Interviews, one with Kenneth Griffith, and one from 1983.