I've read that F.X.Toole (author of "Rope Burns") chose his pen name
from St. Francis Xavier and the actor Peter O'Toole.  Has he or anyone else
explained why he chose those two individuals?  I'll need citations
along with this information.

"To keep his boxing and writing lives separate, (Jerry) Boyd chose the
pseudonym F.X. Toole, an amalgamation of Francis Xavier, the 16th
century teacher, philosopher and Jesuit saint, and British actor Peter
O'Toole."
(http://www.edark.org/ellroy/english/boxe.htm)

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4506210

In the interview, F X Toole explains his chosen pseudonym.