Pierson also sent a reply to the actor, which stated, "The board unanimously and enthusiastically voted you the honorary award because you've earned and deserved it. As to being 'in the game,' nobody ever thought you were out of it. The award is for achievement and contribution to the art of the motion picture, not for retirement." Should O'Toole not be on hand to accept his statuette, the award will go into the Academy's vault.

As a young actor, Peter O'Toole worked for four years with the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company, one year each at the Royal Court and the Stratford Memorial Theatre and six months with the National Theatre. He was also a member of the Abbey Theatre Company, artistic director of the Royal Alexandra Theatre and associate director of the Old Vic. His performance as T.E. Lawrence in the 1962 film "Lawrence of Arabia" catapulted the actor to international stardom. He has since appeared in more than 60 films and received Oscar nominations for his work in "My Favorite Year" (1982), "The Stunt Man" (1980), "The Ruling Class" (1972), "Goodbye, Mr. Chips" (1969), "The Lion in Winter" (1968), "Becket" (1964) and "Lawrence of Arabia" (1962).