reSee.it Podcast Summary
Sir Anthony Hopkins joined Dax Shepard and Monica Padman to discuss his life, career, and new memoir, "We Did Okay, Kid," a project encouraged by his wife, Stella. Hopkins revealed a challenging childhood marked by feeling like an outsider, being labeled a "dunce" in school, and facing his father's disappointment. A pivotal moment at age 17, after a particularly bad school report, ignited a determination to prove himself, leading to an acting scholarship within three months despite no prior experience. He recounted early influences like a chance encounter with Richard Burton and his time at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Hopkins shared insights into his acting philosophy, emphasizing that "it's only acting" and dismissing vanity about performance. He recalled understudying Laurence Olivier at the National Theater, who famously praised his talent and advised him against nerves, calling them "vanity." A significant part of his personal journey is his 50 years of sobriety, which began after a moment of clarity where the urge to drink simply vanished. He discussed his Asperger's diagnosis in 2014, though he tends to dismiss labels, preferring to see himself as "just human" and "uniquely myself," never a victim.
He reflected on his long-held feeling of isolation, which he realized was "all in my imagination and all in my vanity" during a collaboration with Ian McKellen on "The Dresser." Hopkins also spoke about his passion for music composition and painting, describing a fast, intuitive creative process where mistakes are simply painted over. He offered powerful advice to young people: to believe in themselves, never succumb to others' negative opinions, and to be bold, as "mighty forces will come to your aid." His portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs" was highlighted as a role he instinctively understood, approaching it with a chilling, computer-like precision. The conversation also touched upon the impact of World War II on his childhood and his views on human conflict. Towards the end, the hosts briefly discussed Dax's healthy oatmeal recipe, the "murder gene" (MAOA enzyme) and its link to aggressive behavior, and humorous Halloween anecdotes, including a fight involving a "Hot Dog the Bounty Hunter" costume.