Lawrence of Arabia

Peter O'Toole (Actor) .. TE Lawrence

Born: August 02, 1932 in Connemara, Co Galway, Ireland

Best Known For: His legendary drinking.

Early-life: Peter Seamus Lorcan O'Toole was born on August 2, 1932, but he wasn't sure where - he claims to have two birth certificates, one stating Connemara, Co Galway, Ireland, the other Leeds, the city in which he grew up. He was the son of a bookmaker and on leaving school, worked as a copy boy at a local newspaper, then spent two years in the Navy. He decided to become an actor after seeing Michael Redgrave perform on stage, eventually enrolling at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1952.

Career: O'Toole's professional career began at the Bristol Old Vic in 1954. Rave reviews led to film roles, but he didn't become a star until Lawrence of Arabia in 1962. He gained an Oscar nomination for his outstanding performance; further nods came for Becket, The Lion in Winter, Goodbye Mr Chips, The Ruling Class, The Stunt Man, My Favourite Year and Venus. During the late 1970s, he concentrated on health issues following serious illness, but on his recovery appeared in the likes of Casanova, The Tudors, Iron Road, Troy, Lassie, Stardust and Dean Spanley. In 2012, he announced his retirement from acting. He died a year later on December 14.

Quote: "When did I realise I was God? Well, I was praying and I suddenly realised I was talking to myself."

Trivia: He was awarded an honorary Oscar in 2003 for his lifelong contribution to film.

Omar Sharif (Actor) .. Sherif Ali Ibn El Kharish

Born: April 10, 1932 in Alexandria, Egypt

Best Known For: Doctor Zhivago.

Early-life: Born Michael Demitri Shalhoub in Alexandria, Egypt, on April 10, 1932. He was of Lebanese and Syrian descent, and was fluent in English, Arabic, Greek and French. He could also speak some Italian and Turkish. Although raised a Catholic, he converted to Islam in the 1950s. Sharif gained a degree in maths and physics at Cairo University. Following a spell working with his father in a lumber business, he decided to become an actor, making his debut in 1954's Struggle in the Valley.

Career: Sharif spent the next eight years appearing in Arabic movies. His first English-speaking role was playing Sherif Ali in 1962's Lawrence of Arabia (for which he was Oscar-nominated). It made him a star, and he reunited with the film's director, David Lean, for Doctor Zhivago three years later. Movies such as The Night of the Generals (1967), Funny Girl (1968) and its 1975 sequel Funny Lady, The Last Valley (1970) and The Tamarind Seed (1974) followed. TV series The Far Pavilions was a hit in 1984, but he made little else of note until 1999 movie The 13th Warrior. He also starred alongside Steve Coogan in The Parole Officer (2001). He died of a heart attack on July 10, 2015.

Quote: "I'd rather be playing bridge than making a bad movie."

Trivia: Away from showbusiness, Sharif was a world-class bridge player, and a Hull City supporter.

Anthony Quinn (Actor) .. Auda Abu Tayi

Alec Guinness (Actor) .. Prince Feisal

Jack Hawkins (Actor) .. Gen Allenby

Jose Ferrer (Actor) .. Turkish Bey

Anthony Quayle (Actor) .. Col Harry Brighton

Claude Rains (Actor) .. Mr Dryden

Arthur Kennedy (Actor) .. Jackson Bentley

David Lean (Director)

2:35 pm - 6:55 pm, Wednesday, December 24 on More4 (18)

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