Anthony Hopkins explains how Katharine Hepburn’s advice changed his life
Academy Award-winning actor Anthony Hopkins has reflected upon his career, and revealed a piece of pivotal life he received from Katharine Hepburn that changed his life.
Hopkins starred alongside Hepburn in the 1968 movie, The Lion in the Winter, which was an unforgettable opportunity for the Welsh star. At the time, Hopkins was a rising star in the movie industry, while, Hepburn had already established herself as one of the most prominent figures in Hollywood.
Despite her status in the realm of film, Hepburn didn’t let this trouble her ego and Hopkins found her to be an incredibly grounded figure. In contrast, while Hopkins was a rookie compared to his co-star, he allowed success to go to his head before Hepburn had a pertinent word in his ear.
In a new interview with The Times, Hopkins said that he no longer tries to “take acting seriously at all”, noting, “It’s a job I do. I can’t get intense about it, but I do work hard… I can’t even say ‘hard’. But I do work thoroughly to get it right. I’m not dismissing films — God knows I can’t, it’s given me a life.”
In contrast with his younger years, Hopkins stated, “I enjoy film because it’s easy. When I was young I was ambitious, arrogant. Then you come to a point when you think, ‘Cool down. It’s not important.’ Katharine Hepburn told me that. She said, ‘Remember, it’s just popcorn.’”
With the reminder that movies are merely entertainment to many, a weight was lifted off Hopkins’ shoulders and he remains thankful to Hepburn for those words of wisdom.
Starring in The Lion in Winter was a life-changing role for Hopkins, who still can’t believe he was cast in the movie. “I left college in 1957 and ten years later was in The Lion in Winter with Peter O’Toole and Katharine Hepburn. How that happened, I don’t know. No idea. None of it makes any sense to me, and therefore, I can’t take credit for any of it,” he remarked.
Despite now being 86, unlike most people of his age, Hopkins has no plans to retire anytime soon and wants to continue acting for as long as he possibly can. Notably, in 2021, he won the Academy Award for ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ for his performance in The Father, making him the oldest actor to take home the prestigious prize.
Additionally, earlier this year, Hopkins revealed his plans to write an autobiography charting his story from humble beginnings in Port Talbot to Oscar success.
“I realised how I’m blessed with one thing. Maybe it’s my actor’s brain. I do have quite a memory. I remember days of months in the years,” he told People of the forthcoming project.
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