Peter O'Toole dies at age 81

LONDON, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- British actor Peter O'Toole, known for his role in the classic "Lawrence of Arabia," died at a hospital in London, his agent said. He was 81.

The actor died Saturday at Wellington Hospital after a long, unspecified illness, the BBC reported Sunday.

O'Toole was "one of a kind in the very best sense and a giant in his field," the actor's agent said Sunday announcing his death.

"Lawrence of Arabia" earned O'Toole the first of eight Oscar nominations, which also included nods for his roles in "Becket," "The Lion in Winter" and "Goodbye Mr. Chips." He didn't win an Oscar on any of the nominations, though he was awarded an honorary statue in 2003.

The actor was also known for his Shakespearean roles, including one as Macbeth in 1980 at the London Old Vic that was considered a disaster, Britain's The Guardian reported.

The actor, who grew up in Leeds, but said he was born in Connemara, Ireland, studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in the 1950s alongside fellow actors Alan Bates and Albert Finney.

O'Toole is survived by his daughters Kate and Pat, and son Lorcan, the BBC said.