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| | Philip Anthony Hopkins (born December 31, 1937) is a British–American actor and director.
Biography:
Anthony Hopkins was born in Port-Talbot, county Wales, Great Britain. In 1963, he graduated from Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and started working in theater. During 1967-1970, he was a member of Royal National Theatre and later on moved to USA to act in films. In 70s, he even acted in telefilms.
In 1992, he was awarded “Oscar” for the role of maniac- Hannibal in the film “The Silence of the Lambs”.
Directorial works of Hopkins – Film “August” 1995 on the creation of Anton Chehov “Uncle Vanya”.
In 1987, Hopkins received knighthood from Queen Elizabeth. Thus, his numerous services in the field of arts were appreciated and popularization of Great Britain worldwide.
Anthony Hopkins was born on December 31, 1937 in Port – Talbot (Wales). Father of the boy, a baker by profession, put Anthony in an expensive private school, where small Anthony felt lonely fared badly in studies in protest. The only thing, according to his confession, is that he played on piano and imitated teachers (mimicry). After schooling, parents sent Anthony to Music & Drama College in Cardiff, where his abilities were recognized. Favorite of classmates, conjurer and clown, he continued his studies in acting skills in Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (1961-1963). Then - provincial stage and in 1968 - debut in cinema.
Hopkins played in film “The Lion in winter” directed by Anthony Harvey. Anthony Hopkins played the role of Prince Richard the Lion Heart, one of the sons of Henry II Plantagenet, facing the problem of whom to hand over the reins of throne. Paradox is that the round-faced, short and dull hero Hopkins did not at all resemble the gallant soldier, known to us through legends; and moreover, he was hidden homosexual. Role of Anthony Hopkins was rather unnoticed due to Peter O Toole, who portrayed the King Henry and Katherine Hepburn as queen.
In 1970s, Anthony Hopkins played, basically, supporting roles and portrayed characters quite professionally but without special revelations and mainly in military films and detective films. He concentrated mainly on theatre and TV roles. Here, Anthony Hopkins, stocky robust with unsophisticated face, gradually gained experience and collected awards. In 1973, he was selected for “Actor of the year” for his role of Pierre Bezukhov in telefilm "War and peace" and in 1975, he received the prize of New York critics for the Best Actor for the role of psychiatrist “Dr. Martin Dysart”, encountering a strange case of vandalism in the play “Equus” of A. Shaffer (After Hopkins, this role was played by Richard Burton, who subsequently played the role in film). Gradually, artistic image of Hopkins emerged – unhurried, thorough and even a little bit sluggish. His composed look and leisure manner in equal quantities could become characteristic of hero and action work and especially psychological, when inner energy, hidden behind the ordinary appearance, was required from actor in both the cases.
In 1978, Richard Attenborough offered Anthony Hopkins a role in film "Magic", emphasizing the inner and external stresses upto limit. Young ventriloquist, who’s schizophrenic second is “Me”, sick and killing, is projected on his doll (dummy), thereby clearing him off the responsibility for the committed murders. The actor did not loose his smooth sluggishness, transforming into lethargy, which is suddenly burst by destructive and self-destructive pulses.
So, hero - maniacs appear alongside with heroes, whose interpretation does not go beyond the thin psychological character. Maniac characters played by Hopkins (in particular, Hitler, played on TV). And if in the films, made in England, lead roles were played by Hopkins and in Hollywood, he preferred character roles. Among them, Hannibal-Hannibal in “The Silence of the Lambs” (1991, directed by Jonathan Demme) got hugely popular and Anthony Hopkins received “Oscar” for the role. His character, possessing awful appearance, impression, from which increases constantly by "muzzle", is simultaneously clever and shrewd, which is visible in his eyes.
Few years back, Hopkins suffered from alcoholism but after rehabilitation thanks to help rendered by society “anonymous alcoholics”, Hopkins returned to England from Los Angeles. In England, he lives with his second wife and devotes his leisure time to play on piano. |
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One of the most talented Hollywood actors, Sir Anthony Hopkins celebrates his 70th birthday today. While we love him for many roles, millions of people will remember him most for his magnificent portrayal of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of The Lambs", "Hannibal", and "Red Dragon". Hannibal Lecter was voted top screen villian of all time.
