Portrait · Omar David Sandoval Sida / CC BY-SA 4.0

Anthony Hopkins

Actor, director and composer

Born 1937

Anthony Hopkins is a Welsh actor, director and composer born in Margam, Port Talbot, whose career spans theatre, television and international cinema. His father was a baker, and his early life in Wales provided the background to a career that began in repertory theatre. He graduated from RADA’s acting programme in 1963. Laurence Olivier recruited him to the National Theatre, where classical roles helped shape his disciplined approach to performance. The Lion in Winter introduced his commanding screen presence, followed by The Elephant Man, The Bounty and a wide range of character roles. His Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs earned the leading-actor Academy Award in 1992. His range stretches from the restrained butler in The Remains of the Day to Nixon, Thor’s Odin and Pope Benedict in The Two Popes. The Father brought another leading-actor Oscar in 2021 for his portrayal of a man experiencing dementia. His television work includes Emmy-winning performances in The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case and The Bunker, alongside Westworld and voice work in Mythic Quest. He also directed, wrote and composed the score for Slipstream, extending his creative work beyond acting. More recent screen work includes King Herod in Netflix’s biblical drama Mary. Painting is another longstanding interest, encouraged by his wife Stella and pursued alongside his film work. His memoir We Did OK, Kid revisits his Welsh upbringing, professional struggles and later successes. In August 2026, he discussed Life Is a Dream, an album of his compositions recorded with the Philharmonia Orchestra under Gustavo Dudamel. BAFTA recognised his contribution to film with its Fellowship, reflecting a career that continues across several artistic disciplines. Born To Burn Films lists him as Bryant in 2048, a science-fiction project in pre-production.

Verified identityCore facts checked against named sources.

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Connected people

ConnectionBrad PittLegends of the Fall and Meet Joe Black co-star.

ConnectionLaurence OlivierRecruited him to the National Theatre.

ConnectionIan McKellenCo-star in The Dresser.

Anthony Hopkins at the Tuscan Sun Festival, 2009. — Profile image · Elena Torre / CC BY-SA 2.0

NewProject21 Aug 2026

Life Is a Dream

Hopkins discussed recording his compositions with Gustavo Dudamel and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Latest Index

2026

NewsChecked against a primary source or trusted newsroom.

ScopeOnly attributable updates about Anthony Hopkins's work and public record.

Project
A memoir of his life and career
Summit Books published his authored memoir We Did OK, Kid.
4 Nov 2025Dated report
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Project
Playing King Herod in Mary
Netflix’s cast report describes Hopkins’s role in D. J. Caruso’s biblical drama.
6 Dec 2024Dated report
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News
A life alongside the piano
Classic FM explored Hopkins’s piano playing, compositions and classical influences.
7 Sept 2023Dated report
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Award
A career recognised by the Golden Globes
The organisation revisited its Cecil B. DeMille honour for Hopkins.
4 May 2020Dated report
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News
A conversation with Brad Pitt
The former co-stars discussed creativity, mortality and learning from mistakes.
2 Dec 2019Dated report
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Award
BAFTA Fellowship
BAFTA celebrated his work across film, television and theatre with its Fellowship.
10 Feb 2008Dated report
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Selected Credits

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Year	Title	Role
2023	One LifeFilm	—
2024	MaryFilm	King Herod
2024	Those About to DieTV series	—
2024	Rebel Moon — Part Two: The ScargiverFilm	Jimmy (voice)
2025	LockedFilm	—

Timeline

1937—2026

1937Born in Margam, Port Talbot.
1963Graduated from RADA.
1965Joined the National Theatre.
1968Appeared in The Lion in Winter.
1973Won a television BAFTA for War and Peace.
1976Won an Emmy for The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case.
1981Won an Emmy for The Bunker.
1992Won the leading-actor Oscar for The Silence of the Lambs.
1993Received a knighthood.
1994Won a leading-actor BAFTA for The Remains of the Day.
1996Directed August.
2006Received the Cecil B. DeMille Award.
2007Directed, wrote and composed Slipstream.
2008Received the BAFTA Fellowship.
2021Won the leading-actor Oscar for The Father.
2024Played King Herod in Mary.
2025Published We Did OK, Kid.
2026Released Life Is a Dream.

Life Is a Dream

Latest Index

A memoir of his life and career

Playing King Herod in Mary

A life alongside the piano

A career recognised by the Golden Globes

A conversation with Brad Pitt

BAFTA Fellowship