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Ratings: ★★★★☆ (4.3/5)
Genre: #Biography #FilmHistory #Theatre #Hollywood

Book Review:
This is a biography of British stage and screen actor Peter O'Toole, written by Michael Freedland and first published in 1983. Born in Ireland in 1932, O'Toole trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and rose to international fame with his portrayal of T.E. Lawrence in David Lean's epic ''Lawrence of Arabia'' (1962), for which he received his first Oscar nomination. He was known for his charismatic presence, his distinctive voice, and his hell-raising lifestyle. The biography covers his other classic films, including ''Becket'' (1964), ''The Lion in Winter'' (1968), ''Goodbye, Mr. Chips'' (1969), ''The Ruling Class'' (1972), and ''The Stunt Man'' (1980). O'Toole received eight Oscar nominations (a record for an actor without a competitive win) and received an honorary Oscar in 2003. This biography captures the talent, the charm, and the excesses of one of the great actors of his generation.