Anthony Hopkins admits alcohol addiction was going to 'kill' him

Anthony Hopkins Admits Alcohol Addiction Nearly Killed Him

Sir Anthony Hopkins, the 87-year-old Welsh actor and Academy Award winner, has revealed that his past battle with alcoholism nearly cost him his life. Reflecting on his early years in a forthcoming memoir titled We Did Ok, Kid, he shared painful memories and the heavy toll addiction had on his personal and professional life.

The actor, best known for his role in The Silence of the Lambs, expressed deep regret over walking out on his first wife and their baby daughter. He acknowledged that excessive drinking had become a normalized behavior both in his family and within the theatre community.

“It was terrible. You used to be on stage and not know where you were or why you were there, adding ten minutes to the play,”

Hopkins described how constant drinking led to conflicts with directors and embarrassing moments on stage. At one point, he realized the destructive nature of his habits and understood it could end his life if left unchecked.

“It was just the done thing… Who cares about the establishment? When you’re growing up, it’s healthy to want to punch out and be rebellious and survive. And it was a bit of fun, I thought. But I remember thinking one day: ‘Yeah, and it’s going to kill you as well.’”

Memoir Release

We Did Ok, Kid is scheduled for release on Tuesday and delves into his journey of overcoming addiction, finding self-acceptance, and reconciling with his past mistakes.

Author’s Summary

Anthony Hopkins reflects with honesty on his struggle with alcoholism, revealing how near self-destruction turned into a powerful story of reflection and survival.

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Daily Mail Daily Mail — 2025-11-03

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