Renowned actor Peter O’Toole died Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013. He was 81.

A representative of O’Toole, Steve Kenis issued a brief statement, revealing that the actor died after suffering from long illness. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the actor’s daughter, Kate, said in a separate statement that the family appreciates " the outpouring of real love and affection being expressed towards him, and to us, during this unhappy time.”

Kate continued sharing her family’s plans for her father’s memorials. She said that ‘’in due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished," noted SMH.

The Irish-born actor made his name on British stage in 1955 for his role in “Hamlet” production held at the Bristol Old Vic. The SMH pointed out that O’Toole received recognition in his first acting role on stage.

But the British actor shot to international fame when he landed the critically acclaimed film, “Lawrence of Arabia” in 1962. The David Lean film earned him his first Oscars nomination for the lead role he nabbed first offered to Marlon Brando.

The actor received his last Oscars nomination for his role in “Venus,” in 2006. Though he accepted an honorary Oscar in 2003, the SMH said that O’Toole holds the record of an actor who had the most number of Oscars nominations without winning a single one.

Other films Peter O’Toole was nominated for at the Academy Awards from 1982-2006:
1962 “Lawrence of Arabia”
1964 “Becket”
1968 “The Lion in Winter”
1969 “Goodbye, Mr. Chip”
1972 “The Ruling Class”
1980 “The Stunt Man”
1982 “My Favorite Year”
2006 “Venus”

An interesting milestone for O’Toole came in 2003 when The Academy Award giving body decided to bestow him the coveted honorary award. O’Toole was hesitant to attend the Oscars almost 11 years ago. He reportedly wrote The Academy telling the high-profile award giving body that “he was still very much in the game,” reiterating that “he would like more time to ‘win the lovely bugger outright,’ before actually accepting the honorary award for his body of work and lifelong contribution.”

The actor finally agreed to receive the honorary award presented to him by renowned actress, Meryl Streep.

His friends and fellow actors have expressed love and support following O’Toole’s death on Sunday. Celebrities also took to Twitter to share their love for the 81-year old British actor, according to USA Today:

Neil Patrick Harris: “So sad to hear about Peter O'Toole passing away. Lucky to have worked with him for a month in Prague. Wonderful man, remarkable talent."

Paul F. Tompkins : "It was the thrill of a lifetime and a singular honor to have met Peter O'Toole so very briefly, so long ago."

Paul Feig : "Just heard that Peter O'Toole has died. RIP, sir. You were a hilarious, talented, wild and exciting class act. We need more like him."

Details of the funeral service have yet to be announced.

More photos of Peter O’Toole can be found here.

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Credit: YouTube/Ryan Maderi