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.

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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.

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