Oscar veteran

Will the eighth time be the charm for Peter O'Toole?

The veteran actor, 74, received his eighth Oscar nod for his poignant performance in "Venus" as Maurice, a dying British actor who becomes besotted with a beautiful free spirit (Jodie Whittaker) -- the grand-niece of an actor friend.

O'Toole's released his reaction to the nomination in a simple, funny statement: "You fail the first time, try try try try try try try again. Yoicks!"

The tall, lanky blue-eyed Irish actor received his first Academy Award nomination 44 years ago for his indelible portrait of T.E. Lawrence in "Lawrence of Arabia." He's also received nominations for 1964's "Becket," 1969's "The Lion in Winter," 1969's "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," 1972's "The Ruling Class," 1980's "The Stuntman" and 1982's "My Favorite Year."

Four years ago, O'Toole received an honorary Oscar for memorable work.

On Feb. 5, the Academy held their annual nominees' luncheon and O'Toole, who was in attendance, received a rousing response from the steller crowd.

It was so lovely to see such a warm standing ovation for you at the Academy Awards luncheon.

Having somewhat presumptuously saying I was still in the game some time ago and to find out I still am in the game and to have been dealt a really lovely hand, I am going to play it for what it's worth, my darling, that is what I am going to do

You and newcomer Jodie Whittaker have such a wonderful chemistry in "Venus."

Jodie is a delight and an accomplished young woman. She had such boldness and she was brave. And above all, she was beautifully prepared and we got on. Listen, if you got a good actress and a good part, those are the ingredients you need. I have been more than fortunate in my life with the parts I have had. Good parts make good actors . . .

With just your Oscar nominations -- you have had eight extremely good parts.

Some people would love to have one of them.

I saw you on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart" and you talked about the fact that Katharine Hepburn was your favorite leading lady. Didn't you have nicknames for each other?

She called me "Pig" or "'Henry" depending on her mood. And I called her "Old Nags."

You did "The Lion in Winter" together shortly after Spencer Tracy died.