A tribute to a man I never met

Peter_O'Toole_in_Lawrence_of_ArabiaToday is a sad day indeed. Today I learned that my favorite actor – Peter O’Toole and star of my favorite movie – Lawrence of Arabia – passed away just two days ago. Lawrence of Arabia had such an impact on me when I saw it for the first time in 2000 as a high school senior. I was an 18-year old kid, ready for adventure and to see the world. I could not have been introduced to this movie at a more influential period of my life.  Lawrence believed (and O’Toole accurately enacted) that “for some men nothing is written unless they write it.”

We live in an age of mass social media, so I might as well leave you with two quick YouTube videos. I could provide here so many of the amazing scenes from the movie, but I am going to provide the one with dialog that best portrays my personal philosophy in life. The conversation is with Lawrence and his friend Sherif Ali.

The second video is not part of the movie. I share this video to demonstrate (to those that have not yet seen it) what a classy individual Peter O’Toole really was. Who else rides in on a camel on the Late Show with David Letterman while smoking cigarette with a long holder? Only Peter O’Toole.

Rest in peace, Peter O’Toole. You will be missed.