Anthony Hopkins, born Philip Anthony Hopkins on 31st
December 1937, is one of the most illustrious 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 wishes to be called) was raised living above
the family bakery business, his bedroom overlooking the dazzling lights
of a cinema. Hopkins is dyslexic and preferred art and music to the more
scholarly subjects and so the reclusive, sensitive child absorbed himself
in these subjects instead of being attentive to studying. Tony left
school with one 'O' level in English.  Hopkins'other hobby was
the cinema and by the late 1950's, Richard Burton was already a Hollywood
star and when Burton came back home to Wales once, Hopkins went to get
his autograph. This was a turning point for Hopkins, witnessing how
Richard Burton had got himself up and out of this small Welsh village and
Hopkins aspired to follow in his footsteps in search of fame and fortune
in America. Hopkins gained a place at RADA and was invited to
join Olivier's esteemed National Theatre. In 1967 he was understudy for
Olivier in 'Dance of Death' until Olivier was taken ill unexpectedly and
Hopkins took the lead for himself, giving a very well reviewed
performance which was quickly followed by a run 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.
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Having been a loner all his life, he did not take easily to the glare
of publicity into which success had thrust him and he started drinking
seriously, even though devoted obsessively to his occupation as well.Â
Hopkins and his wife had a baby girl, Abigail but the relationship soon
began to weaken and by 1972 they were divorced and Hopkins was apart 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. Â In 1973
Hopkins married Jennifer Lynton, who helped him in his battle against
alcohol abuse and in 1975 Hopkins gave up alcohol for good. Â By
the mid 1980's Hopkins had a chain of films to his recognition and the
American dream had come true. Hopkins' versatility as an actor is
immense and his gift to absolutely immerse himself in the diverse
character roles is amazing. Hopkins' is a complete professional
wherever his work is concerned, he re-reads scripts hundreds of times if
needed and is not known for tolerating reshoots. Plentiful Bafta, and
Golden Globe nominations were showered upon Hopkins, though working in
America, started to take its' toll ' Jenni, his wife could not make out
the attraction of the States, and consequently Hopkins focused on his UK
career from the mid 1980's onwards.Anthony Hopkins is best known
the world over for the part that catapulted his recognition to Oscar
status in 1991 ' Hannibal the Cannibal in 'Silence of the Lambs'. His
American career had once again taken flight, but this time on a
impressive scale. Hopkins finally had his Oscar and two other 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, soon after the finish 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 winning Oscar nominations. Today, living in
California, Hopkins spends his time composing music, painting and playing
the piano, a man of many skills, a rightful film star and icon, a film
director and composer of movie scores, as well as an accomplished pianist
and artist.