Anthony Hopkins, born Philip Anthony Hopkins on 31st December 1937, is one of the most legendary and versatile British actors of all time, his award-winning film career spanning over 40 years.
Born in Wales, not far from another famous Welsh actor, Richard Burton, Tony, (as he likes to be called) was brought up living above the family bakery business, his bedroom overlooking the bright lights of a cinema. Hopkins is dyslexic and preferred art and music to the more academic subjects and so the shy, sensitive boy immersed himself in these subjects instead of paying attention to studying. Tony left school with one 'O' level in English. Hopkins' other interest was the cinema and by the late 1950's, Richard Burton was already a Hollywood star and when Burton returned home to Wales once, Hopkins went to get his autograph. This was a turning point for Hopkins, seeing how Richard Burton had got himself up and out of this little Welsh village and Hopkins aspired to follow in his footsteps in search of fame and fortune in America.
Hopkins won a place at RADA and was invited to join Olivier's prestigious National Theatre. In 1967 he was understudy for Olivier in 'Dance of Death' until Olivier was taken ill suddenly and Hopkins took the lead for himself, giving a very well reviewed performance which was quickly followed by a string of successful roles. The first tv film for Hopkins was 'A flea in her Ear', in 1967 in which Petronella Barker, whom Hopkins married that year, also had a part. Hopkins' proper movie debut followed in 1968 in the 'Lion in Winter', in which he gave a well-casted performance and was nominated for a Bafta more info. Having been a loner all his life, he did not take easily to the limelight into which success had thrust him and he started drinking heavily, although dedicated obsessively to his work at the same time.
Hopkins and his wife had a baby daughter, Abigail but the relationship soon began to falter and by 1972 they were divorced and Hopkins was separated from his daughter. His drinking and behaviour were getting progressively worse and 1973 saw him walk-out on the National Theatre. His fame grew nationwide when in 1973 he played the memorable Pierre in the tv epic 'War and Peace', for which he won a Bafta award.
In 1973 Hopkins married Jennifer Lynton, who supported him in his struggle against alcohol abuse and in 1975 Hopkins gave up drink for good. By the mid 1980's Hopkins had a string of films to his credit and the American dream had come true. Hopkins' versatility as an actor is immense and his ability to totally immerse himself in the diverse character roles is amazing. Hopkins' is a total professional where his work is concerned, he re-reads scripts hundreds of times if necessary and is not known for tolerating retakes. Numerous Bafta, and Golden Globe nominations were showered upon Hopkins, however working in America, began to take its' toll - Jenni, his wife could not see the attraction of the States, and so Hopkins concentrated on his UK career from the mid 1980's onwards. Anthony Hopkins is best known the world over for the role that catapulted his stardom to Oscar status in 1991 - Hannibal the Cannibal in 'Silence of the Lambs'. His American career had once again taken off, but this time on a grand scale. Hopkins finally had his Oscar and two more Lecter films followed, 'Hannibal' and 'Red Dragon'. The continuity of character in the three films is consistently brilliant and addictive but Hopkins claims to have hung up his Hannibal mask, who knows?
In 1993 Anthony Hopkins was rewarded with a knighthood and in 2000 he became a U.S. citizen, shortly after the end of his marriage. The Hollywood career just kept getting better, with 'Howards End', 'Remains of the Day', 'Shadowlands', 'The Edge' and 'Fracture' being notable, some attracting Oscar nominations.
Today, living in California, Hopkins spends his time composing music, painting and playing the piano - a man of many talents, a true film star and icon, a film director and composer of film scores, as well as an accomplished pianist and artist.
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