The movies of Sir Anthony Hopkins

Born in Wales, not far from another famous Welsh actor, Richard Burton, Tony, (as he likes to be known as) was brought up 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 shy, sensitive youngster engrossed himself in these pursuits rather than paying attention to studying. Tony left school with one 'O' level in English.

Hopkins'other pursuit 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, 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 asked to join Olivier's esteemed National Theatre. In 1967 he was understudy for Olivier in 'Dance of Death' until Olivier was taken sick all of a sudden and Hopkins assumed the lead for himself, giving a very well reviewed performance which was swiftly followed by a run of successful roles.

The first tv movie for Hopkins was 'A flea in her Ear', in 1967 in which Petronella Barker, whom Hopkins married that year, also had a role. 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.

Having been a loner all his life, he did not take easily to the glare of publicity into which fame had thrown him and he started drinking a great deal, although devoted zealously to his vocation at the same time. Hopkins and his wife had a baby daughter, Abigail but the relationship soon began to weaken and by 1972 they were divorced and Hopkins was separated from his daughter. His drinking and behaviour were getting progressively worse then 1973 saw him walk-out on the National Theatre. His success grew on a national scale when in 1973 he played the unforgettable Pierre in the tv epic 'War and Peace', for which he received a Bafta award.

In 1973 Hopkins married Jennifer Lynton, who supported him in his battle against alcohol abuse and in 1975 Hopkins gave up alcohol for good.

By the end of the 1980's Hopkins had a chain of films to his acclaim, some of the best being 'Magic', 'The Elephant Man', 'The Bounty', and '84 Charing Cross Road' and the ultimate American dream had come true. Hopkins' adaptability as an actor is vast and his skill to thoroughly immerse himself in the varied character parts is remarkable. Hopkins' is a complete professional wherever his work is concerned, he re-reads scripts hundreds of times if necessary and is not known for tolerating reshoots. Numerous Bafta, and Golden Globe nominations were showered upon Hopkins, however 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 well known the world over for the role that catapulted his recognition 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 impressive 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 close 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.

Now, living in California with his wife Stella Arroyave, Hopkins passes his time composing music, painting and playing the piano, a man of many skills, a rightful big screen star and icon, a film director and composer of movie scores, as well as an accomplished pianist and artist.

There are treats in store though, as there are numerous rumours of different films about to be released before long. To learn further about Anthony Hopkins films, together with exclusive movie reviews, news and images visit my Anthony Hopkins website or read more about Anthony Hopkins