I found this snippet which completely matches my own thoughts...especially the final paragraph:-

.......O'Toole was a man of great wit and intellect. The breadth of his ability, on stage and screen, in comedy and drama and, latterly, as a writer, was matched by the depth of his commitment to his work.

A turbulent private life was mirrored by performances of real feeling. He was never afraid to take risks with his work and he was dismissive of those who went for the soft option.

In an early poem, Peter O'Toole vowed to "stir the smooth sands of monotony". He undoubtedly managed this.
Source:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-25392876
RIP Peter O'Toole