Peter O'Toole retires from acting

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NEW YORK, July 10 (UPI) -- Irish actor Peter O'Toole announced Tuesday he is retiring from acting at the age of 79.

O'Toole recently had a supporting role in TV's "The Tudors" and earned his eighth Oscar nomination for his lead role in 2006's "Venus."

His other film credits include "Troy," "Creator," "My Favorite Year," "The Lion in Winter," "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," "The Ruling Class" and "Lawrence of Arabia."

"Dear All," he said in a message issued by his representatives to People.com.

"It is time for me to chuck in the sponge. To retire from films and stage. The heart for it has gone out of me: it won't come back," he said. "My professional acting life, stage and screen, has brought me public support, emotional fulfillment and material comfort. It has brought 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. So I bid the profession a dry-eyed and profoundly grateful farewell. Ever, Peter O'Toole."