The Silence of the Lambs at 35 – Revisiting our chat with Sir Anthony Hopkins: ‘I wanted to be like Richard Burton – famous as well as different’

by

This article was originally published in TopMob magazine on 20th October 1994

Anthony Hopkins didn’t truly feel like a good actor until he won an Oscar in 1992 for his iconic role as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. He recalls thinking, “Now I’ve proven myself,” after receiving the award. Before that, he struggled with self-doubt, unhappiness, and alcohol abuse – problems he notes are sadly common among artists. He describes that period as a rather unpleasant time.

He claims to be content and at peace, without any hidden agendas, but it’s hard to believe. His talent actually comes from inner turmoil, and while he appears charmingly self-effacing and a bit of a complex character today, he admits his roles have been a form of emotional release, mirroring his own personal growth. He suggests even a character like Lecter – distant, cold, and reserved – resonated with parts of himself. He feels acting has created a certain emotional distance, and he’s wary of expressing or even trusting his own feelings, as they’ve caused him problems in the past.

Honestly, I’ve felt a bit disconnected from everything for the last decade, and I think it shows – people often say I seem really calm. Big crowds just aren’t my thing. It’s weird, but I feel strangely free because I don’t really have any hobbies or passions. Sports? Not for me. Theatre? Forget about it. I don’t get excited about cultural events either. I keep my circle small, and I really dislike being a guest for dinner or going to parties or restaurants. Food doesn’t really appeal to me, and truthfully, I don’t enjoy being around people for extended periods. I’ve never been a particularly curious person, not even as a kid.

People sometimes think he comes across as a grumpy, pessimistic person – maybe a bit of a downer with all those stories! But honestly, he’s incredibly entertaining to talk to. He’s a fantastic storyteller, and he has this amazing ability to do voices, shifting his Welsh accent to sound just like the actor he’s talking about. Apparently, even his wife, Jenni – they’ve been married for 21 years after meeting on one of his film sets – thinks he’s a bit odd, but in a good way!

Want to see this content?

We need your permission to load content on this page, as it requires Google reCAPTCHA to function properly.

He shrugged, saying, “That’s just who I am.” He likes to keep life exciting, both for himself and the person he’s with. His unusual habit is taking long road trips to LA, driving around in a rental car, staying in motels, and meeting new people along the way. He finds it liberating and adventurous, and it’s a part of his personality he finds fascinating. He admits it might even be a bit self-centered.

Growing up as an only child in Port Talbot, he often lost himself in daydreams and struggled in school, now believing he was likely undiagnosed dyslexic. He felt frustrated by his difficulty learning at the same pace as other children, finding solace in drawing and playing the piano – skills he wishes he’d pursued further as a composer. His parents and teachers often found him puzzling, though one teacher recognized he simply learned differently. Despite feeling isolated, he fondly remembers his childhood, viewing those challenges as valuable experiences. He channeled his frustration – stemming from being seen as having a ‘handicap’ – into a powerful drive to prove himself after leaving school. He was particularly inspired by fellow Port Talbot native Richard Burton, hoping to achieve the same level of fame and recognition for being unique.

His father had hoped he would join the family bakery business. He remembers his father, often covered in flour, interrupting his piano practice to ask what he was playing. When he’d answer “Beethoven,” his father would jokingly complain that it explained his eventual hearing loss. Though his father was relieved when he decided against baking – declaring he’d have been terrible at it – he was a loving and energetic man, full of Welsh spirit, which he described as “sparks and smoke.” He was constantly active, and his eyes would turn a bright blue when he was enthusiastic. They occasionally clashed, being so similar in personality, but his father never quite saw him as fully grown up.

My father – though I called him Dick, I was too shy to say ‘father’ – and my mother, Muriel, used to playfully remind me to use hair cream. It’s taken me years to realize how much I’ve become like him. He passed away 13 years ago, and it feels like his personality has resurfaced within me. I used to be quite serious and a bit gloomy, but now I find I’ve inherited his sense of humor. He had a very practical outlook; whenever I performed Shakespeare, he’d ask if there was any action or suggest I should be making films like Richard Burton. He was a big film fan.

He credits his acting career to a simple push from his father to leave the house and find something to do. He stumbled into it while taking snooker lessons at the YMCA, when he was unexpectedly offered a small role in a play. Forty years later, he reflects on how life often takes unexpected turns, suggesting that our paths are somewhat predetermined. He’s always been drawn to the mystical side of things and claims to have experienced occasional psychic flashes. While he doesn’t associate with those interested in the supernatural, he used to amaze people with surprisingly accurate observations – like describing details in their homes, such as a recent tea stain on a table – which became something of a party trick.

I started to notice a pattern in my life, things happening in reverse. Right before receiving the award, I had a strange feeling, like I’d experienced it before, and then it hit me – it had been eleven years to the night since my father passed away. It felt significant. I don’t consider myself particularly religious, but I believe it’s presumptuous to think I achieved everything on my own. Life is too remarkable to dismiss the possibility of some kind of underlying force connecting us all. Despite often making fun of acting and awards, receiving the Oscar made me genuinely proud. The idea that I’d be cynical and dismissive towards it is offensive. When someone acknowledges your work with an award, it’s important to be grateful and show appreciation.

I generally avoid spending time with actors and don’t follow the inside world of show business. If a director starts talking about a film being a deep, exploratory experience, I lose interest. I prefer a straightforward approach – just tell me where to stand. I don’t try to overthink things or analyze the material too much. I rely on my instincts and physical presence, and I focus on learning my lines, showing up prepared, and not tripping over things.

He claims this is genuine, but it’s not. He actually studies his roles intensely, focusing on a single detail to build the character. For example, when preparing to play Welsh writer Gwyn Thomas in a TV film last year, he meticulously observed videos and recordings of Thomas, then recreated his look – a greenish jacket, tight brown trousers, and suede shoes – until he felt he’d captured the essence of the man. In his upcoming film, The Road to Wellville, opening in January, he transforms into health food pioneer Dr. John Kellogg with the help of noticeably large false teeth, delivering a remarkably convincing performance.

You know, I’ve always had some issues with The Silence of the Lambs, and I still feel that way. Honestly, I don’t think it’s a good idea to make films that are so focused on violence, especially with everything that’s already happening in the world. I don’t want to sound like I think I’m better than everyone else, but I do believe actors have a responsibility to consider what they’re putting out there. If someone asked me to do a sequel now, I’d really have to give it a lot of thought. Back when I was first offered the role, though, it was a bit crazy – I was just so surprised to be working on an American film! I’ve always been a bit like that, easily surprised. There’s always been a bit of a snooty attitude towards film in the theatre world, but I don’t pay much attention to that. At the end of the day, if the script is good, I’m happy to be involved.

I used to accept any acting job because I worried I’d never work again, but now I’m more selective. My agent in America is incredibly aggressive – he really pushes producers to get me a better salary. I’ll tell him I want a role, and he’ll say he’s not happy with the offer yet. It’s great to be financially secure, as I don’t want to worry about money, but the huge salaries some actors get – like $15 million for a movie – are ridiculous. What do you even do with that much money? You have to invest it or spend it, otherwise it just becomes a burden. Holding onto that much money can actually be damaging.

He’s familiar with Hollywood because he lived there for a decade, moving from England in 1972 after getting into a fight at a pub called The National. He admits it was his own fault and downplays stories of being a wild personality, saying he was just annoying and a bit of a bother. He explains that actors can get easily frustrated, leading to outbursts, and that he went through some difficult periods where he caused trouble. While he never caused serious damage, he acknowledges he had a quick temper that concerned him.

Alcohol nearly destroyed his career, but everything changed one day in July 1975 when he found himself in Phoenix, Arizona, with no memory of how he arrived. He went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that day and has been sober ever since. He still attends three AA meetings a week and says his last major on-set conflict was a decade ago. He described it as a heated argument with a difficult British television director.

While films like The Silence of the Lambs have brought him financial success, he maintains a simple lifestyle. He doesn’t desire luxury, stating he has no need for multiple homes or cars and isn’t interested in fashion. He prioritizes cleanliness and fitness, and makes practical choices – like driving a Renault from a nearby dealership – over extravagance. He finds the pursuit of power and wealth in Hollywood corrupting, noting that it often leads people to become both greedy and surprisingly stingy.

I’m not claiming to be perfect, but when you gain success and wealth, you have to regularly ask yourself if you truly need everything you have. Near the end of my time in Hollywood, I started to worry when my agent said my next film wouldn’t pay as much as the last one. I was initially frustrated, but then I realized how much money I’d already made – more than ever before. I had a comfortable home, but I was starting to change in unhealthy ways. Hollywood is like a trap – you’re sitting by the pool, always wanting more, and it slowly starts to overwhelm you. That’s when my wife, Jenny, suggested we move back to England.

He feels a strong connection to Wales and hopes to eventually live there. He’s even purchased a burial plot at Margam Abbey near Port Talbot, though he jokes it won’t be needed anytime soon. He’s adopted a personal philosophy to help him navigate life: “Ask nothing, expect nothing, and accept everything.” This approach allows him to live without expectations, which he believes opens the door to wonderful surprises. He believes in letting life unfold naturally, making only small plans and accepting that he can’t control everything.

Authors

Andrew Duncan

Read More

2026-02-16 19:36