Recently during the TCM Film Festival in Hollywood, the great Peter O’Toole was immortalized with his hand and foot prints in his own cement block in front of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. I had the chance to see the freshly stamped prints and signature sculpted by the eight-time Oscar nominated actor, and the imprinted block of cement, still drying, represented Peter O’Toole’s lasting style very well. Simple and precise, with just a subtle bit of artistic integrity. But I had to ask, why so late in his career?
Peter O’Toole is most famous for his role in Lawrence of Arabia, which Premiere Magazine rated the #1 ranked performance of all time in 2006. He battled through stomach cancer by putting down the bottle, and returned triumphantly in Stunt Man, which personally I think is one of his best roles. In My Favorite Year, he plays a caricature of himself in a way, but the strength and specificity of the performance is incredible. So it’s a wonder that it took so long for Peter O’Toole to be honored at Grauman’s. Eight nominations and no wins spells bad luck more than it means unwarranted praise. I’m just glad he finally got the chance to officially stamp himself into this historical collection of Hollywood’s greatest stars at the Chinese Theater. Congratulations to Peter O’Toole, one of the most captivating stars of all time.
Written by Chris Loud
