President pays tribute to ‘one of the giants of film and theatre’

President Michael D Higgins has led tributes to legendary actor O’Toole.

The Irish-born star, who shot to fame in the Oscar-winning epic Lawrence Of Arabia, passed away on Saturday.

Mr Higgins, a long-time friend of O’Toole, said it was with great sadness he learned of the actor’s death.

“Ireland, and the world, has lost one of the giants of film and theatre,” the President said.

“In a long list of leading roles on stage and in film, Peter brought an extraordinary standard to bear as an actor.”

Mr Higgins said while O’Toole received eight Academy Award nominations for best actor and was given a special Oscar from his peers for his contribution to film, he was deeply committed to the stage.

The President and former university lecturer said anyone who saw O’Toole in his leading roles, from Lawrence Of Arabia to Henry II in Becket, would recognise his “lifetime especially devoted to the art form of film”.

Mr Higgins extended his sympathy to the actor’s family, including his daughters Pat and Kate, son Lorcan, and former wife, actress Sian Phillips.

“[My wife] Sabina and I and our children will miss him, as will all those who saw him on screen or stage or had the privilege, as I had, of enjoying his friendship and humour,” said Mr Higgins.

The President and O’Toole became friends in 1969 and Mr Higgins said he spent part of 1979 in Clifden, Co Galway, where the pair met up almost on a daily basis.

O’Toole’s daughter, actress Kate O’Toole, said: “In due course there will be a memorial filled with song and good cheer, as he would have wished.” O’Toole retired from showbusiness last year, saying it was time to “chuck in the sponge”.