'Lawrence of Arabia' star Peter O'Toole retiring from showbiz

Washington, July 11 (ANI): Legendary Irish actor Peter O'Toole has revealed that he is retiring from show business, saying he no longer has the heart for it.

O'Toole, who turns 80 in August, said in a statement on Tuesday that his career on stage and screen fulfilled him emotionally and financially, bringing "me together with fine people, good companions with whom I've shared the inevitable lot of all actors: flops and hits."

"However, it's my belief that one should decide for oneself when it is time to end one's stay," CBS News quoted O'Toole as saying in the statement.

"So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell," the statement read.

In retirement, O'Toole said that he will focus on the third volume of his memoirs.

An eight-time Academy Award nominee who never won Hollywood's top acting honor, O'Toole shot to screen stardom 50 years ago in the title role of 'Lawrence of Arabia,' which earned seven Oscars, including best picture and director for David Lean.

The honors stacked up quickly as O'Toole received the Oscar nominations for films like 1964's 'Becket,' 1968's 'The Lion in Winter,' 1969's 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips,' 1972's 'The Ruling Class,"' 1980's 'The Stunt Man' and 1982's 'My Favorite Year.'

In 2003, at age 70, O'Toole received an honorary Oscar, often given as a consolation prize for acclaimed actors and filmmakers who had never managed to win Hollywood's top award. (ANI)