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Anthony Hopkins: The Biography
Winning the 1992 Best Actor Oscar for his chilling performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs overwhelmingly confirmed Anthony Hopkins' star status. He has since been nominated a further three times and has become a huge force in Hollywood, with more recent films such as Hannibal , Red Dragon , The Human Stain , and Oliver Stone's Alexander . Largely cowritten with the cooperation of Anthony Hopkins, his family, friends, colleagues, and critics, Quentin Falk's acclaimed biography has been fully updated to include his latest film roles, details of how he has now become a United States citizen, and his marriage to third wife Stella Aroyave.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 29, 2019
There is a level at which I already love the man I affectionately nickname "Uncle" Anthony due to the shared surname and the uncanny similarities he has to both my father and my grandfather (in so much as I knew him - it is inevitably harder to know someone hard of hearing well when they are also well into their dotage.) I therefore view this book with complete bias toward him.
I sympathise that his intelligence was underestimated and not well recognised in a school system that did not respond well to someone who does not particularly excel on paper academically or in the field at sport. His musical ability was not channeled and so opportunities were missed.
Overall in the book he comes across as someone, though he has had some struggles, who can be quite a kind, lovely gentleman, an advocate for other actors and good at supporting them whilst standing up to directors. He is keen to get on with work and it is astounding how much work he has done actually, particularly against the odds in later years and, more discretely, with his musical success. It seems he can be quite fun on set, lightening the atmosphere with impersonations, whilst being well prepared and professional. For someone who did not particularly excel at school, he is well read and has built good memory skills. He doesn't like wasting time on takes so tries to get his lines right first time as he would on stage.
There are elements of him that remind me of my Hopkins heritage, such as some melancholy, some liking for solitude, some questioning of purpose. However, he tries to be an inspiration to others and has done much to help others such as through his support of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I feel, as I see some of the films I have not yet seen and re-see others, that his parts are often an extension and expression of himself and yet he makes each individual. It seems he finds what he can relate to in the character, makes them human and, even with the darker ones, quite likeable and then puts an entertaining element in, such as a hint of an accent, subtle defining mannerisms and adapted appearance.
I feel a sadness for him at his relationship losses and appreciate these can be difficult to negotiate due to distanced lifestyle, personality and location. I believe he is somewhat a lone wolf and yet he would be there to support others where he can.
His natural nature has so much of my Dad about him (particularly in the "Fastest Indian" - a lovely film) and, with regard to "Hitchcock" in particular, I see my Grandad, that I feel we must link up further back in genealogy. I read how even mannerisms may be rooted in genes and the more I see him, the stronger I feel this is so and there must be historic links.
What gives me great hope is that he has worked against his more challenging history positively to put lack of recognition at school and alcohol ridden times behind him and enjoy some sobriety and impress with his often described as "intelligent" performances.
He is now a positive role model and, particularly perhaps because much of his fame was attributed to him more so mid-way though his life, it seems to me that he would make a marvellous mentor.
I sympathise that his intelligence was underestimated and not well recognised in a school system that did not respond well to someone who does not particularly excel on paper academically or in the field at sport. His musical ability was not channeled and so opportunities were missed.
Overall in the book he comes across as someone, though he has had some struggles, who can be quite a kind, lovely gentleman, an advocate for other actors and good at supporting them whilst standing up to directors. He is keen to get on with work and it is astounding how much work he has done actually, particularly against the odds in later years and, more discretely, with his musical success. It seems he can be quite fun on set, lightening the atmosphere with impersonations, whilst being well prepared and professional. For someone who did not particularly excel at school, he is well read and has built good memory skills. He doesn't like wasting time on takes so tries to get his lines right first time as he would on stage.
There are elements of him that remind me of my Hopkins heritage, such as some melancholy, some liking for solitude, some questioning of purpose. However, he tries to be an inspiration to others and has done much to help others such as through his support of Alcoholics Anonymous.
I feel, as I see some of the films I have not yet seen and re-see others, that his parts are often an extension and expression of himself and yet he makes each individual. It seems he finds what he can relate to in the character, makes them human and, even with the darker ones, quite likeable and then puts an entertaining element in, such as a hint of an accent, subtle defining mannerisms and adapted appearance.
I feel a sadness for him at his relationship losses and appreciate these can be difficult to negotiate due to distanced lifestyle, personality and location. I believe he is somewhat a lone wolf and yet he would be there to support others where he can.
His natural nature has so much of my Dad about him (particularly in the "Fastest Indian" - a lovely film) and, with regard to "Hitchcock" in particular, I see my Grandad, that I feel we must link up further back in genealogy. I read how even mannerisms may be rooted in genes and the more I see him, the stronger I feel this is so and there must be historic links.
What gives me great hope is that he has worked against his more challenging history positively to put lack of recognition at school and alcohol ridden times behind him and enjoy some sobriety and impress with his often described as "intelligent" performances.
He is now a positive role model and, particularly perhaps because much of his fame was attributed to him more so mid-way though his life, it seems to me that he would make a marvellous mentor.
January 25, 2026
It doesn't matter how exciting a life a person has -- if you have a bad writer doing the biography, it will make any life dull.
Fortunately, this doesn't happen with Quentin Falk's biography of Anthony Hopkins (written before he was knighted.) I read a hardback out of the library. I think it was the first edition and not the post Silence of the Lambs edition. I was living homeless in England at the time, and this certainly took my mind off of my problems.
Hopkins was really a wild child in many ways. Which isn't entirely surprising, since he's Welsh. I've met a lot of crazy people in my life, especially when I was homeless, and no one could hold the crazy candle to the Welsh. However, Hopkins got a harness on his demons and uses them to pull his wagons.
There's a lot of nice little tidbits in here. The advice Hopkins got from Katherine Hepburn ... how he became unbearable to be around when he was playing Hitler ... why he left for America ... and why Shirley MacClaine was a first-class bitch. There's also a nice selection of black and white photographs. The photo that really sticks out in my mind is Hopkins in drag playing an all-male Shakespeare comedy. The amazing thing was that playing a man was the slight, elegant Derek Jacobi.
This was a quick, enjoyable read about one of the best actors since Sir Laurence Oliver.
Fortunately, this doesn't happen with Quentin Falk's biography of Anthony Hopkins (written before he was knighted.) I read a hardback out of the library. I think it was the first edition and not the post Silence of the Lambs edition. I was living homeless in England at the time, and this certainly took my mind off of my problems.
Hopkins was really a wild child in many ways. Which isn't entirely surprising, since he's Welsh. I've met a lot of crazy people in my life, especially when I was homeless, and no one could hold the crazy candle to the Welsh. However, Hopkins got a harness on his demons and uses them to pull his wagons.
There's a lot of nice little tidbits in here. The advice Hopkins got from Katherine Hepburn ... how he became unbearable to be around when he was playing Hitler ... why he left for America ... and why Shirley MacClaine was a first-class bitch. There's also a nice selection of black and white photographs. The photo that really sticks out in my mind is Hopkins in drag playing an all-male Shakespeare comedy. The amazing thing was that playing a man was the slight, elegant Derek Jacobi.
This was a quick, enjoyable read about one of the best actors since Sir Laurence Oliver.
October 12, 2011
I enjoyed a frank and very honest account of Anthony Hopkins life.
It covers his life from a child growing up in Wales,through his tormented life. It gives an honest account of his alcoholic addiction, the effect it had on himself and those close to him.
I read this because I have always been an admirer of his work, and after reading this I have come to the conclusion he worked very very hard for all his has achieved. I also have a better understanding of the alcoholic and his behaviour.
A good honst account, would recommend highly.
It covers his life from a child growing up in Wales,through his tormented life. It gives an honest account of his alcoholic addiction, the effect it had on himself and those close to him.
I read this because I have always been an admirer of his work, and after reading this I have come to the conclusion he worked very very hard for all his has achieved. I also have a better understanding of the alcoholic and his behaviour.
A good honst account, would recommend highly.
February 28, 2018
This book is awful. I was looking forward to it so much but no major let down.
February 24, 2023
Er zijn zo van die acteurs of regisseurs die in de loop der jaren een mythische status hebben gekregen en waar ik eigenlijk vrij weinig van heb gezien. Anthony Hopkins er daar zo eentje van. Ik denk dat ik de meest legendarische titels (zoals een Silence of the Lambs) al wel heb gezien maar het is een acteur die me niet noodzakelijk aantrekt. Dan maar eens een biografie lezen om te zien of daar iets interessants instaat dat me zou kunnen overtuigen om eens naar wat meer films te gaan zoeken.
En ja, eigenlijk wel aangezien ik niet wist dat Hopkins een fervent Shakespeare acteur is. Het lijken voornamelijk toneelstukken te zijn geweest maar het is wel interessant om te weten en misschien zijn een aantal van die toneelstukken ook als film uitgebracht. Wat me indertijd bij aanschaf niet was opgevallen is dat mijn updated & revised edition maar tot begin jaren ’90 gaat met het hierboven genoemde Silence of the Lambs als orgelpunt in de carrière van Hopkins. De kwaliteit van hetgeen Quentin Falk neerschrijft is echter niet hoog genoeg om naar een meer recente versie op zoek te gaan. Er wordt enorm veel van de hak op de tak gesprongen en eigenlijk in heel het boek krijg je geen coherent beeld van wat Hopkins nu drijft. Ja, er wordt even wat dieper ingegaan op zijn alcoholisme maar zijn relaties bijvoorbeeld blijven onderbelicht. Misschien omdat Falk ook niet met Hopkins zelf gaat praten maar zich laat leiden door hetgeen vrienden en kennissen zeggen. Het sleept ook gewoon allemaal zo lang aan met nodeloze details waardoor dit een serieuze zit is om uit te lezen.
Wat straf is aangezien dit echt geen dik boekje is. Een biografie dient naar mijn gevoel toch vooral om wat meer inzicht in een bepaalde persoon te krijgen maar in het geval van Hopkins is dat niet het geval. Ik weet niet of dat dat aan de geslotenheid van de acteur ligt of aan het feit dat Falk gewoon geen goede schrijver is maar het heeft wel als resultaat dat dit een erg taaie zit is die het niet waard is.
En ja, eigenlijk wel aangezien ik niet wist dat Hopkins een fervent Shakespeare acteur is. Het lijken voornamelijk toneelstukken te zijn geweest maar het is wel interessant om te weten en misschien zijn een aantal van die toneelstukken ook als film uitgebracht. Wat me indertijd bij aanschaf niet was opgevallen is dat mijn updated & revised edition maar tot begin jaren ’90 gaat met het hierboven genoemde Silence of the Lambs als orgelpunt in de carrière van Hopkins. De kwaliteit van hetgeen Quentin Falk neerschrijft is echter niet hoog genoeg om naar een meer recente versie op zoek te gaan. Er wordt enorm veel van de hak op de tak gesprongen en eigenlijk in heel het boek krijg je geen coherent beeld van wat Hopkins nu drijft. Ja, er wordt even wat dieper ingegaan op zijn alcoholisme maar zijn relaties bijvoorbeeld blijven onderbelicht. Misschien omdat Falk ook niet met Hopkins zelf gaat praten maar zich laat leiden door hetgeen vrienden en kennissen zeggen. Het sleept ook gewoon allemaal zo lang aan met nodeloze details waardoor dit een serieuze zit is om uit te lezen.
Wat straf is aangezien dit echt geen dik boekje is. Een biografie dient naar mijn gevoel toch vooral om wat meer inzicht in een bepaalde persoon te krijgen maar in het geval van Hopkins is dat niet het geval. Ik weet niet of dat dat aan de geslotenheid van de acteur ligt of aan het feit dat Falk gewoon geen goede schrijver is maar het heeft wel als resultaat dat dit een erg taaie zit is die het niet waard is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews