Lawrence of Arabia' Star Peter O'Toole Dies at 81
 

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Actor Peter O'Toole, who shot to international fame in the blockbuster movie "Lawrence of Arabia," has died at age 81 in London after a long illness, his agent said on Sunday.

O'Toole, who had survived a bout of stomach cancer in the 1970s, died in a London hospital on Saturday, Steve Kenis, his agent, told Reuters.

"Peter O'Toole's family announced today that very sadly Peter died yesterday, peacefully in hospital. He had been ill for some time," Kenis said in a statement.

His daughter Kate O'Toole said in a statement to MSNBC that the family is "very appreciative and completely overwhelmed by the outpouring of real love and affection."

"In due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished," she added. "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."

O'Toole's striking good looks and charm sustained him through a stage and film career of more than 50 years that swung wildly between triumph and disaster.

The son of an Irishman, O'Toole grew up in England. Years of heavy drinking and chain-smoking took their toll on his health.

In July 2012, the accomplished actor announced that he was quitting the profession. "It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me: It won't come back, he said in a statement. "My professional acting life, stage and screen, has brought me public support, emotional fulfillment and material comfort. ... However, it's my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one's stay. So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell."

But O'Toole did participate in two other projects after retiring. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he has smalls roles in the upcoming films "Mary" and "Katherine of Alexandria."

Though he has acted in numerous movies over his lengthy career, O'Toole never won an Oscar, though he was nominated eight times, including best actor for 1962's "Lawrence of Arabia" and 2006's "Venus." In 2003, the academy presented him with an honorary Oscar, which he initially turned down.

As news of his death spread, actors said their goodbyes and shared memories of the thespian.