'Lawrence of Arabia' star Peter O'Toole dead

File photo of actor Peter O'Toole.

Peter O’Toole, the charismatic actor who achieved instant stardom as Lawrence of Arabia and was nominated eight times for an Academy Award, has died. He was 81.

O’Toole’s agent Steve Kenis says the actor died Saturday at a hospital following a long illness.

O’Toole began his acting career as one of the most exciting young talents on the British stage. His 1955 “Hamlet,” at the Bristol Old Vic, was critically acclaimed.

A reformed but unrepentant hell-raiser, O’Toole long suffered from ill health. Kenis announced the death in an email on Sunday.