Peter O'Toole as the Pope in the Tudors!

For having eight Academy Award nominations and recognized as an Honorary Oscar Recipient, I’d say that Peter O’Toole, at 79 years of age has had quite the successful career! But after close to 60 years in the business, he has made the decision to hang up his many hats and retire.

In regards to his ‘dry eyed’ farewell Peter shared,

“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. 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.”

Perhaps his most recognized performance was his role in Lawrence of Arabia, but my favorite O’Toole cameo would have to be in ‘The Tudors’. Where O’Toole played Pope Paul III, and tormented my darling Jonathan Rhys Meyers as King Henry the VIII. If you ever caught the second season of this Showtime series, you saw Peter be a freakin’ bad ass for the Catholic church. He was old, but he was terrifying just the same!

O’Toole’s work has been featured in 92 different productions, which is WAY more impressive than most celebs these days! I just wish the interviewer had asked Peter if he’d ever consider taking part in the Magic Mike sequel…okay, I’m kidding.

At least he can put his feet up, buy a golf cart, or play Bingo at the retirement village at his leisure. Isn’t that the best thing about retirement? He’s a free bird to do whatever he likes, even revisit his previous roles, as T. E. Lawrence, or perhaps the Pope!

Congratulations on your retirement Peter!

What’s your favorite O’Toole movie?! Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to like our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our emails!