FILE - This March 19, 2008 file photo shows actor Peter O'Toole attending the world premiere of the second season of Showtime's "The Tudors", in New York. In a statement released Tuesday, July 10, 2012, the 79-year-old actor said he would retire from films and stage. “The heart of it has gone out of me,” he said, adding, “it won't come back.” O'Toole won acclaim as a Shakespearian actor before rocketing to fame in “Lawrence of Arabia.” His last of eight Oscar nominations was in 2007 for the film “Venus.” (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, file) (Evan Agostini)
Screen legend Peter O'Toole announced Tuesday that he is retiring from acting.

"It's time for me to chuck in the sponge," he said in a statement. "To retire from stage and screen. The heart for it has gone out of me; it won't come back."

O'Toole, who turns 80 on Aug. 2, achieved international stardom and his first Oscar nomination for David Lean's 1962's Academy Award-winning epic "Lawrence of Arabia." O'Toole was 27 when he earned the coveted title role. When he was cast in 1960, the Los Angeles Times quoted a London critic who called the young actor "a blazing new talent."

At the time, O'Toole was known mainly for his work on stage. But producer Sam Spiegel told the Times he wanted a new face for the part of T.E. Lawrence.

O'Toole went on to earn best actor nominations - but no wins - for 1964's "Becket," 1968's "The Lion in Winter," 1969's "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," 1972's "The Ruling Class," 1980's "The Stunt Man," 1982's "My Favorite Year" and 2006's "Venus." He earned an honorary Oscar in 2003.