Peter O'Toole will receive an honorary Oscar at the75th Academy Awards on Mar 23. The veteran actor, who has been nominated seventimes for a statuette, was chosen by the board of governors of the Academy OfMotion Picture Arts And Sciences in recognition of his 'exceptionaldistinction in the making of motion pictures'.'O'Toole's performances have ignited the screen for more thanfour decades,' Academy president Frank Pierson said in a statement.'He has appeared in some of the most unforgettable roles in the historyof the medium. He's seven times nominated as best actor, which puts himin extremely rarified air for a performer. The board of governors felt it wastime for him to hold his own Oscar in his hands.'

O'Toolehas appeared in more than 50 pictures, including Lawrence Of Arabia, Lord Jim and The Last Emperor. He received a best actor nomination forLawrence Of Arabia,as well as for Becket,The Lion In Winter, GoodbyeMr Chips, The RulingClass, The Stunt Man andMy Favourite Year.Previous winners of the honorary Oscar include Sidney Poitier, Gene Kelly,Charlie Chaplin and Federico Fellini.