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[h3]Actor, director, producer and piano virtuoso, Sir Anthony Hopkins CBE was born on New Year’s Eve 1937. His full name is Phillip Anthony Hopkins, born to mother Muriel Anne, and father Richard Arthur Hopkins in Margam, Port Talbot, Wales.[/h3]

His mother is distantly related to Yeats, the Irish poet. Hopkins’ father made a living in Wales as a baker. In his early year’s Hopkins’ grandfather called him George while his dad had nicknamed him Charlie.

Growing up Hopkins often spent time alone: due to his dyslexia he preferred to paint and play the piano rather than making friends at school.

After some time his parents became concerned about their son’s lack of curriculum and in 1949 sent him to West Monmouth Boys School, in Pontypool, Wales. He only attended the school for a few terms; much to his dislike, and even now looks upon the time as rather bleak. He then went on to attend Cowbridge Grammar School instead.

Hopkins recalls: “I was lousy in school: a real screw-up, a moron. I was antisocial and didn’t bother with the other kids… I didn’t know what I was doing there. That’s why I became an actor.”

At 15 Hopkins met Richard Burton, a fellow Welsh actor, whose sister lived nearby. Very much influenced by this already famous man, Hopkins enrolled at the College of Music and Drama in Cardiff. Hopkins had found his vocation: performing he discovered his natural talent and something he actually enjoyed doing.

[quote]"I was lousy in school: a real screw-up, a moron."[/quote]

Following his graduation in ’57, Hopkins had to do his two years of National Service with the army; he was known as 23449720 Gunner Hopkins. However, he left the guns of the army behind and instead set his sight on acting. In 1960 Hopkins made his professional debut in Have a Cigarette, at the Palace Theatre, Swansea. After this he moved to Bloomsbury, London to train at The Royal Academy of Drama and Art (RADA), where he’d won a place.

Now in 1965, having honed his craft, Hopkins was invited by one of England’s greatest actors of the time [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/209:511/Laurence_Olivier.htm]Sir Laurence Olivier [/urlnew]to be his understudy at The National Theatre, in a production of August Stringberg’s Dance of Death. Hopkins was thrown into the limelight after Olivier was taken ill with appendicitis. Olivier noted in his memoir: "A new young actor in the company of exceptional promise named Anthony Hopkins was understudying me and walked away with the part of Edgar like a cat with a mouse between its teeth."
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At 30, now married to his first wife Petronella Barker, (they have a daughter Abigail Hopkins, an actress) he was bored with the monotony of theatre, but got another fortunate break when he was cast in the TV film of 1967 A flea in Her Ear. Swiftly he moved on to another part in The White Bus and the following year, Lions in Winter, alongside the then unknown former bond actor Timothy Dalton. In 1969 he played Claudius in a film version of Hamlet.
Although he had moved into film, Hopkins still spent several years performing on Broadway and managed to sustain a successful career in both.

He starred as Charles Dickens in the 1970’s The Great Inimitable Mr. Dickens, the series Danton, in an episode of The Ten Commandments and the 1972 mini series War and Peace, for which he won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor.

At this time his marriage had broken down and before he was divorced, he had got engaged to Jennifer Lynton. After a couple of years with his new wife his battle with alcoholism stopped: he’s been sober since 1975. His marriage to his second wife lasted nearly 30 years.

In 1976 Hopkins picked up an Emmy for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor’ for his principal role in the TV film The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case.
Two films of note that followed were: 1977’s action war film A Bridge Too Far (it won 3 BAFTAs), directed by Attenborough, with an all star cast including [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/43:0/Robert_Redford.htm]Robert Redford[/urlnew], [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/327:0/Dirk_Bogarde.htm]Dirk Bogarde[/urlnew], [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/577:0/Michael_Caine.htm]Michael Caine [/urlnew]and Laurence Olivier, to name a few, and the supernatural thriller Audrey Rose of the same year.

In Magic (1978) Hopkins played a weird and very frightening schizophrenic ventriloquist who lost his mind and the dummy took over. In The Elephant Man (1980) he displayed his emotional versatility as an actor playing the kind Dr Frederick Treves, who helped the hideously deformed Elephant Man. Silence of the Lambs director Jonathan Demme chose Hopkins to play Lector after seeing him in this role. However Hopkins can’t see the connection between the two characters.

On TV he played Othello in the ’81 adaptation of the same name. In 1982 he won another Emmy for ‘Outstanding Lead Actor’ in the TV film The Bunker; the same year he played Quasimodo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Following his respectable notoriety, his was, in 1987, awarded with the Commander of the order of the British Empire, giving him the letters CBE after his name. That year saw the release of 84 Charing Cross Road where his character who sells books enters into a very special correspondence with New York dwelling character portrayed from [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/651:0/Anne_Bancroft.htm]Anne Bancroft’s [/urlnew]BAFTA winning performance,

It wasn't until his role of serial killer Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 film Silence Of The Lambs that Hopkins would become one of the most sought after English actors. For 16 minutes of onscreen time, Hopkins earned an Oscar and a BAFTA for ‘Best Actor’ – with these highly regarded awards, Hopkins is proud of his role as Dr Lecter.
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On set he often unnerved co-star [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/862:0/Jodie_Foster.htm]Jodie Foster[/urlnew] by mocking her character Clarice's West Virginia accent. Hopkins added a subtle touch to his portrayal of Lecter, the unnerving trait of never blinking his eyes when he spoke.

Also in ’91 Hopkins leant his ability of mimicking by duplicating Olivier’s voice in the restoration of Spartacus (1960) because the sound track was lost and Olivier had died two years previously. Demonstrating, to TV chat show host Michael Parkinson, during an interview his gift of being able to change his native Welsh accent into whomever, Hopkins entertained the audience with a [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/747:0/Tommy_Cooper.htm]Tommy Cooper [/urlnew]impression “Just like that!”

In 1992, he starred alongside Emma Thompson and [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/592:0/Vanessa_Redgrave.htm]Vanessa Redgrave[/urlnew] in Merchant/Ivory’s thrice Oscar winning, Howard's End, based on the novel by E.M Forster. Hopkins played Henry Wilcox - the film went on to win three Oscars, two BAFTAs and a further 19 other awards. Despite being nominated Hopkins failed to win any awards, although Emma Thompson won an Oscar and a BAFTA for ‘Best Actress Award’.

Also in 1992, Hopkins played Professor Abraham Van Helsing in [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/243:0/Francis_Ford_Coppola.htm]Frances Ford Coppola's[/urlnew] Dracula, based on Bram Stoker’s novel of the same title. He starred alongside Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/795:0/Keanu_Reeves.htm]Keanu Reeves[/urlnew] and Richard E Grant. Although Dracula was based in London it was filmed entirely in California. Originally Liam Neeson was considered for the part of Van Helsing, but after Hopkins’ Oscar win and personal interest in the role Neeson was turned down and the part was offered to Hopkins.

In the same year Hopkins starred in Chaplin along side [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/1611:0/Robert_Downey_Jr.htm]Robert Downey Jr.[/urlnew] He played the only fictional character George Hayden in the film based on the real life of Charlie Chaplin. Directed by Richard Attenborough the film was awarded three Oscar nominations and won a BAFTA.

Success followed once more in 1993 when Hopkins teamed up with Emma Thompson yet again in Remains of the Day, a post WWI love story. Anthony was nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars, Golden Globes and BAFTAs.

That year, Anthony Hopkins CBE would become known as ‘Sir’ after he was once again recognised in The Queen’s New Year’s Honours’ List and Knighted. Controversially he was allowed to keep this title after he became an American citizen, as he has dual nationality.
In 1994, Hopkins went on to portray former [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/808:0/Richard_Nixon.htm]U.S. President Richard Nixon[/urlnew], in the movie Nixon, directed by [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/875:0/Oliver_Stone.htm]Oliver Stone[/urlnew].

Hopkins prepared for his role of the shamed ex President by watching almost every single one of Nixon's speeches. The real Nixon died at the time the film was being made in 1994; the funeral scene, at the end of the film, was later added. The film was then released in 1995 and nominated for four Oscars.
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Not content with just acting, Hopkins took on the role of director with the 1996 film, August which he also starred in. The film’s location was in his native land of Wales. His love of music led him to compose the film’s musical score. His directing skills were noted as the film went onto win ‘Best English Drama Award’ at The BAFTA Awards in Wales.

In his next film, Hopkins portrayed troubled artist Pablo Picasso in an unforgettable performance in Surviving Picasso (1996). The film is based on the passionate story of the relationship of Picasso's one and only lover Francois Gilot. His portrayal of the painter proved that there is nothing he cannot do when it comes to delivering an exceptional and emotional performance. As an actor who is so passionate about his work, Hopkins prepared for his role, getting into character by eating the same menu as the real life Picasso.

During the remainder of the 90s, Hopkins delivered strong and memorable performances in a number of big films: in 1997 was 19th century court room drama Amistad, Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film scooped four Oscar nominations. Through his career Hopkins has conquered his dyslexia by memorising his scripts – reading them through as much a 250 times. Spielberg was so blown away by Hopkins knowing verbatim a seven page dialogue, he only ever referred to him as 'Sir Anthony'.

After that followed roles in The Mask Of Zorro (1998), with [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/1277:0/Catherine_Zeta_Jones.htm]Catherine Zeta Jones[/urlnew] and [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/279:0/Antonio_Banderas.htm]Antonio Banderas[/urlnew]; Meet Joe Black (1998) alongside [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/1027:0/Brad_Pitt.htm]Brad Pitt[/urlnew]; Instinct (1999) with [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/1711:0/Cuba_Gooding_Jr.htm]Cuba Gooding Jr.[/urlnew] and Titus (1999).

In 2000 Hopkins became an American citizen and celebrated with a 3,000 mile drive across his new homeland. In the same year he also returned to his role as non-blinking, salivating, Dr Hannibal Lecter in the sequel to The Silence of The Lambs: Hannibal.

Although Jodie Foster wasn't onboard this time, [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/575:0/Julianne_Moore.htm]Julianne Moore[/urlnew] took over the role as Clarice and Hopkins, although at first reluctant, still stepped into the shoes of Lecter for the second time. Gossip followed Hopkins and Moore after their electric chemistry on-screen. They were nominated for ‘Best Kiss Award’ at the 2001 MTV Awards.

After filming Hearts in Atlantis (2001), based on the novel by [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/449:0/Stephen_King.htm]Stephen King[/urlnew], Hopkins resurrected Dr Hannibal Lecter for a third outing in 2002's Red Dragon. Lecter’s story preludes his previous two films as it’s set before his imprisonment. In 2006, a fourth instalment of the series, Hannibal Rising was released, but this time Hopkins had retired from the role. On release, the film didn't fair very well with audiences.
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In 2003 Hopkins married his third wife Colombian-born Stella Arroyave. That year also saw him star alongside [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/805:0/Nicole_Kidman.htm]Nicole Kidman[/urlnew] in The Human Stain where he played a Professor with a dark past who had an affair with Kidman's young character. Hopkins’ scenes with Kidman proved to be controversial; film critics applauded his performance. The same year he was honoured with a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

Hopkins’ next character was Old Ptolemy, teaming up once again with director Oliver Stone in the film Alexander (2004) about the Macedonian King who was one of the greatest military leaders in the history of warfare.

In 2005, Hopkins impressed movie goers with his performance of a mentally disturbed mathematician in Proof, with [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/558:0/Gwyneth_Paltrow.htm]Gwyneth Paltrow[/urlnew] and [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/1761:2186/Jake_Gyllenhaal.htm]Jake Gyllenhaal[/urlnew]. Hopkins played the recently deceased father of Gwyneth Paltrow's character. The film directed by John Madden, was a story partly based on the life of John Nash, a professor who won the Nobel Prize for his work in game theory.

Later in 2005, Hopkins took to the road in the film The World’s Fastest Indian, a biographical story of New Zealander Burt Munro whose motorcycle riding helped set the land speed record in Utah 1967.

Hopkins himself is quite partial to the open road: he said, one of his recent pleasures in real life was when he drove cross country in the USA, where he enjoyed anonymity. The trip was to celebrate his new dual nationality (British and American).

Hopkins' career has gone from strength to strength since the 60s. Famed actor and director Richard Attenborough considers him one of the greatest actors of our generation. With an Academy Award and BAFTA Awards to his name, he is constantly impressing audiences around the world with his amazing acting talent and charisma.

Recently, Hopkins was part of a huge ensemble cast in the 2006 film Bobby, a film which centres around 22 people who were at the Ambassador Hotel the day that [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/710:0/Robert_Kennedy.htm]U.S. Senator Robert F Kennedy [/urlnew]was shot in 1968. The political drama won an Award at The Hollywood Film Festival for ‘Best Ensemble Cast’ which included talent such as [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/82:347/Helen_Hunt.htm]Helen Hunt[/urlnew], Demi Moore, [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/591:0/Sharon_Stone.htm]Sharon Stone[/urlnew], Martin Sheen And Emilio Estevez who also wrote and directed the film; Hopkins was executive producer.

Later in 2006 Hopkins played Judge Irwin in another political drama, All the King’s Men alongside [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/590:0/Sean_Penn.htm]Sean Penn[/urlnew] and fellow English actors, Kate Winslet and [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/1759:0/Jude_Law.htm]Jude Law[/urlnew]. Based on the Novel by Robert Penn Warren, set in the 50s, it tells the story of elected governor Willie Stark.
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Hopkins can be seen playing another psychopath in Fracture (2007) opposite up and coming star Ryan Gosling. His character is a man who plays a game of cat-and-mouse with Gosling's assistant DA after being accused of trying to murder his wife.

After many years in film, Hopkins put pen to paper and wrote the soon to be released sci-fi fantasy film, Slipstream (2007). The film is a story about an ageing script writer who lives in both his own world and in reality. Hopkins acts along side Christian Slater. Hopkins also directed again - something he hadn't done since the film August (1996).

His next project is The Wolfman, currently in pre-production and to be filmed in the autumn of 2007. From actor to director, to piano virtuoso, composer and producer Sir Anthony Hopkins CBE is one of the most talented actors of our time and an example to a new generation of actors. Still entertaining and impressing audiences of all ages, Hopkins turns 70 on New Year’s Eve December 2007.

He has generously donated to good causes throughout his career: he once gave £1,000,000 to the Snowdonia appeal and helps out with actors’ tuition fees. Now he volunteers at the Ruskins School of Acting in Santa Monica, LA. As he says himself: “Acting is fun!”

[i]Sam Carpenter[/i]
Anthony Hopkins biography



- He received a honoree degree of doctor of letters from the University of Wales.

- After battling Alcoholism in the 70's he has been sober for 32 years.

- Can play the piano.

- Became a legal U.S. citizen in 2000, but is still allowed to keep his English title of "Sir".

- He volunteers at a Californian acting school Where he teaches among other things, Shakespeare and monologues.

- Hopkins nearly died while filming the 1997 film, The Edge when he fell into a river and was rushed to hospital with hypothermia.
He was often called George and Charlie by his father and grandfather as a child.

- Has played a US president in two separate films, Nixon and in received. He received an Oscar nomination for both films.

- Prefers to be called Tony.

- His father Richard Hopkins died in 1981, 11 years later to the day, Hopkins won the Best Actor Award at the Oscars for his role of Dr Hannibal Lecter.

- Has been married three times, he has a daughter Abigail from his first marriage who is a singer and actress.

- Very serious about the roles he portrays, he often takes unusual steps to get into his character before filming. This included, eating the same menu as Picasso did whilst filming Picasso.

- Rarely blinked for his role in Silence Of The Lambs and often reads each script out loud before filming to improve his memory.

- Hopkins was only on screen for 16 minutes in Silence of The Lambs.
Anthony Hopkins biography



[b]As an actor:[/b]

The Wolfman (2008)

The Last Station (2008)

Beowulf (2007)

City of Your Final Destination

Fracture (2007)

Slipstream (2007)

All the King's Men (2006)

Bobby (2006)

The World's Fastest Indian (2005)

Proof (2005)

Alexander (2004)

The Human Stain (2003)

The Devil and Daniel Webster (2003)

Red Dragon (2002)

Bad Company (2002)

Hearts in Atlantis (2001)

Hannibal (2001)

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) (voice)

Mission: Impossible II (2000) (uncredited)

Titus (1999)

Instinct (1999)

Meet Joe Black (1998)

The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Amistad (1997)

The Edge (1997)

Surviving Picasso (1996)

August (1996)

Nixon (1995)

Legends of the Fall (1994)

The Road to Wellville (1994)

Shadowlands (1993)

The Remains of the Day (1993)

Selected Exits (1993) (TV)

The Innocent (1993)

The Trial (1993)

Chaplin (1992)

Dracula (1992)

To Be the Best (1992) (TV)

Howards End (1992)

Spotswood (1992)

Freejack (1992)

One Man's War (1991) (TV)

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Desperate Hours (1990)

Great Expectations (1989) (mini) TV Series

Heartland (1989) (TV)

The Tenth Man (1988) (TV)

A Chorus of Disapproval (1988)

The Dawning (1988)

Across the Lake (1988) (TV)

84 Charing Cross Road (1987)

The Good Father (1985)

Mussolini: The Decline and Fall of Il Duce (1985) (TV)

Arch of Triumph (1985) (TV)

Hollywood Wives (1985) (mini) TV Series

Blunt (1985) (TV)

Guilty Conscience (1985) (TV)

The Bounty (1984)

Strangers and Brothers (1984) (TV)

A Married Man (1983) (TV)

Play of the Month, 4 episodes: Little Eyolf (1982), Kean
(1978),Uncle Vanya, The Three Sisters (1970)

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982) (TV)

Othello (1981) (TV)

Peter and Paul (1981) (TV)

The Bunker (1981) (TV)

A Change of Seasons (1980)

The Elephant Man (1980)

Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure (1979) (TV)

Magic (1978)

International Velvet (1978)

A Bridge Too Far (1977)

Audrey Rose (1977)

Victory at Entebbe (1976) (TV)

The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case (1976) (TV)

Dark Victory (1976) (TV)

All Creatures Great and Small (1975)

Juggernaut (1974)

The Girl from Petrovka (1974)

Play for Today - 2 episodes:The Childhood Friend (1974), Hearts and

Flowers (1970)

QB VII (1974) (mini) TV Series

Possessions (1974) (TV)

The Arcata Promise (1974) (TV)

Black and Blue (1 episode, 1973)

The Middle-of-the-Road Roadshow for All the Family (1973) TV
Episode

A Doll's House (1973/I)

Lloyd George (1973) (TV)

War & Peace (1972) (mini) TV Series

Young Winston (1972)

Poet Game (1972) (TV)

"The Edwardians" (1972) (mini) TV Series

"The Ten Commandments" Decision to Burn (1971) TV Episode

When Eight Bells Toll (1971)

Danton (1970) (TV) (UK: series title)

Department S(1 episode, 1970)

A Small War of Nerves (1970) TV Episode

The Great Inimitable Mr. Dickens (1970) (TV)

Hamlet (1969)

The Looking Glass War (1969)

The Lion in Winter (1968)

The White Bus (1967)

A Flea in Her Ear (1967) (TV)

[b]Director:[/b]

Slipstream (2007)

August (1996)

Dylan Thomas: Return Journey (1990)

[b]Writer:[/b]

Slipstream (2007)

[b]Composer:[/b]

August (1996)

Dylan Thomas: Return Journey (1990)
Anthony Hopkins biography



1986 – Distant Star and Ordinary Man. (Both tracks Hopkins spoke the songs, a bit like Leslie Howard did in the songs from Pygmalian, rather than sing.

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