Anthony Hopkins reveals near-death expertise 49 years in the past which turned his life the other way up
Anthony Hopkins marked nearly five decades of sobriety via social media Sunday, regaling his fans with a story of what led him to turn his life around.
The two-time Oscar-winner, who turns 87 Tuesday, said on Instagram that a 1975 incident convinced him to stop drinking, noting, ‘Forty-nine years ago today, I stopped.’
The iconic Welsh actor admitted he ‘was having such fun’ until he ‘realized’ he was ‘in big, big trouble’ as he ‘couldn’t remember anything’ and ‘was driving a car drunk out of [his] skull.’
Hopkins, known for playing the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in multiple films, said the near-tragedy led him to seek support to deal with his addiction to alcohol.
‘Then, on that fatal day, I realized I needed help – so I got it,’ said the Nixon actor. ‘I phoned up a group of people like me – alcoholic. And that was it – sober. Anyway, I’ve had more fun these 49 years than ever.’
Hopkins told more than 5.3 million followers that help is available for those in search of it.
Anthony Hopkins, 86, marked nearly five decades of sobriety via social media Sunday, regaling his fans with a story of what led him to turn his life around
‘If you do have a problem – having fun is wonderful, having a drink is fine – but if you are having a problem with the booze, there is help,’ Hopkins said. ‘It’s not a terrible deal – it’s a condition if you’re allergic to alcohol, get some help, there’s plenty of help around.
‘One thing I didn’t realize, that I was not unique. There are thousands of people around like me – anyway, I got sober and, it sounds a dull word, but I’ve had a wonderful life.’
He added: They still employ me, they still give me jobs. I’m going to be 87 in two days now.’
The actor captioned the clip, ‘One day at a time. 49 years. Life is in session.’
Hopkins wrapped up in saying, ‘So I’m celebrating my long life – unexpectedly long life.’
He added, ‘So if you have a problem, you know where to go. Phone any intergroup, 12-step program, whatever you could do – because it is a killer – with that, happy new year!’
Hopkins has had a busy year professionally, amid a number of professional endeavors.
He provided the voice of Jimmy in the Zack Snyder film Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, which debuted on Netflix in April; and played the role of Vespasian on the 10-episode Peacock series Those About to Die, which debuted in July.
The actor was pictured in 1975, the year he said he confronted his alcoholism problems
Hopkins told more than 5.3 million followers that help is available for those in search of it
Earlier this month, he played the role of Herod in the Netflix drama Mary opposite Noa Cohen.
Hopkins won his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Lecter in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs.
The film also won the Best Picture, Best Actress for Jodie Foster and Best Director for the late Jonathan Demme, among other honors, at the 1992 Oscars.
He reprised the role in 2001’s Hannibal opposite Julianne Moore, and 2002’s Red Dragon opposite Edward Norton.
Hopkins won his second Best Actor Oscar for 2021’s The Father opposite Olivia Colman for filmmaker Florian Zeller.
