Anthony Hopkins was born on December 31, 1937, in Margam, Port Talbot, Wales. His full name is Philip Anthony Hopkins.
Hopkins' father was a baker, and his mother was a distant relative of the famous Welsh poet Dylan Thomas. This artistic connection may have influenced his interest in acting.
Initially, Hopkins wanted to be a musician. He attended the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, where he studied the piano and also began acting.
He started his acting career in the theater, gaining recognition for his stage performances before transitioning to film and television.
Hopkins achieved international fame and won his first Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991).
While he was born in Wales, Hopkins later became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2000. However, he also retained his British citizenship.
He has received several honorary degrees from prestigious institutions, including the University of Wales and the University of St. Andrews.
Hopkins is known for his ability to play a wide variety of characters, from the sinister Hannibal Lecter to the wise Odin in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He struggled with alcoholism earlier in his life but successfully overcame the addiction in the 1970s after seeking treatment and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
In addition to acting, Hopkins directed the film "August" in 1996. It was a semi-autobiographical drama about a man's journey to overcome his alcohol addiction.