Anthony Hopkins

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Anthony Hopkins
Born	Philip Anthony Hopkins Birth date -1st March 1966 Margam, Port Talbot, Wales
Occupation	Actor, director, producer
Years active	1960–present
Children	1
Awards	Academy Award (1992, 2021)

Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins (born 31 December 1937) is a Welsh actor, director, and producer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Hopkins is known for his performances on both stage and screen, particularly for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor.

Early life

Hopkins was born in Margam, a suburb of Port Talbot, Wales. He is the son of Muriel Anne (née Yeats) and Richard Arthur Hopkins, a baker. Hopkins attended Jones' West Monmouth Boys' School in Pontypool and later enrolled at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, from which he graduated in 1957. He then trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Career

Early career

Hopkins began his career in theatre, joining the Royal National Theatre under the mentorship of Laurence Olivier. He gained recognition for his performances in various stage productions, including King Lear and Macbeth.

Film and television

Hopkins made his film debut in The Lion in Winter (1968), where he played Richard the Lionheart. He continued to build his filmography with roles in A Bridge Too Far (1977) and Magic (1978).

His breakthrough role came in 1991 with his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. The role earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor and established him as a leading actor in Hollywood. He reprised the role in Hannibal (2001) and Red Dragon (2002).

Hopkins has also appeared in notable films such as The Remains of the Day (1993), Nixon (1995), Amistad (1997), and The Two Popes (2019). In 2021, he won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Father.

Directing and producing

In addition to acting, Hopkins has directed and produced several films. His directorial works include August (1996) and Slipstream (2007).

Personal life

Hopkins became a naturalized American citizen in 2000. He is known for his philanthropic efforts and has supported various charitable organizations. He is also a composer and painter, with several exhibitions of his artwork.

Awards and honors

Hopkins has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993 for his services to drama.

Selected filmography

• The Lion in Winter (1968)
• A Bridge Too Far (1977)
• Magic (1978)
• The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
• The Remains of the Day (1993)
• Nixon (1995)
• Amistad (1997)
• Hannibal (2001)
• Red Dragon (2002)
• The Two Popes (2019)
• The Father (2020)

See also

• List of British Academy Award winners and nominees
• List of actors with Academy Award nominations