He still looks light-years better than when he played Emperor Tiberius in Caligula.

By the late 70's, the drinking had caught up with him - operations to remove damaged organs, diabetes, blood disorder.

In one of his last films, Venus, there's a dialogue at the end that just devastates in its simple description of his character- and the actor who plays it.

Last edited Sat Apr 9, 2016, 02:32 PM - Edit history (1)

He had lost all the Oscar nominations, and the "Academy" - that opportunistic p.r. outfit - always on the prowl to borrow the luster of others for itself, was after O'TOOLE to appear for one of those "honorary" ones. He declined, saying (paraphrasing: ), "Oh, no, I'll wait until I EARN one on my own (merits)."

Maybe there was some subtle snark involved, which would be totally deserved by the Academy, but taking his words at face value, the modesty is breathtaking. Maybe he finally accepted an honorary one (or won one?).

He was nominated for Venus but lost to Forest Whitaker.

It's a quiet, sad and sometimes uncomfortable film that sneaks up on you.

NOTE: He did accept that "honorary" Oscar in 2002 but he was right, he was still in the game.