Sir Anthony Hopkins was recently awarded the 2,237th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Early years: Hopkins was born Dec. 31, 1937, in Port Talbot, Wales. He was a poor student and attended several different elementary schools. An excellent pianist, Hopkins attended Welsh College of Music for piano and later the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After graduation he took a job with the Arts Council and later enlisted with the National Military Service.
Career: In 1965 Hopkins joined the National Theatre. His first film appearance came as Richard the Lionhearted in 1967's "The Lion In Winter," which earned him a British Academy Award nomination. Since then, he has appeared in over 45 films, including "Dracula," "Chaplin" and 1994's "Legends of the Fall." He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1992 for "Silence of the Lambs," in which he played his most memorable character, Hannibal Lector. He was nominated for the same award in 1994 for "Remains of the Day," and again in 1996 for "Nixon." His performance in 1998's "Amistad" won him another Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Hopkins is also well-versed on the stage. He has appeared in "Macbeth," "King Lear" and "Equus." He has been nominated for six Golden Globe awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards and has won two Emmys. He was knighted in 1993 by Queen Elizabeth II.
Family: Hopkins married Petronella Baker in 1967. Together they had a daughter, Abigail Hopkins. They divorced in 1972. He then married Jennifer Lynton in 1973 and they divorced in 2002. He married Stella Arroyave in 2003.
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In his words: "I'm actually just grateful that I reached this age, let alone to have arrived with so many incredible honors in tow."
Web lin www.anthonyhopkins.us
Sources: Tiscali.co.uk, Eonline.com, Biography.com
