Anthony Hopkins, the 84-year-old actor behind one of cinema's most iconic villains, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, has penned an autobiography that offers a glimpse into his tumultuous life. "We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir" is a candid and often darkly humorous account of Hopkins' journey from a struggling young boy to global superstardom.
The title of the book references an old photograph of Hopkins as a toddler, taken by his father Richard Arthur Hopkins, who struggled with emotions but had a romantic streak. This stark contrast between his parents' personas would later shape Anthony's own personality - that of a tough, no-nonsense actor who demands professionalism, yet harbors vulnerabilities and insecurities.
Hopkins recounts his early life, including being expelled from school for reciting John Masefield's poem The West Wind without prior study. This event marked a turning point in his life, as he took to acting and eventually landed a role alongside Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic. His success stunned his parents, who had initially doubted their son's abilities.
However, Hopkins' temper also made headlines when he left the National Theatre company due to creative differences. The news shocked Laurence Olivier, but Hopkins persevered, landing iconic roles in films like "The Elephant Man" and TV shows that propelled him into global stardom.
In his autobiography, Hopkins appears to temper his fiery personality, showcasing a more reserved side, particularly when discussing his experiences with directors. Despite the highs of his career, he reveals moments of professional conflict and disappointment, including a highly publicized confrontation with actor Paul Sorvino on the set of Oliver Stone's "Nixon".
Hopkins' love for poetry is another recurring theme in the book, as he shares his favorite poems and explains how learning them by heart helped him find discipline and transcendence. His conclusion comes in the form of an appendix composed entirely of these poems - a bold statement that underscores their significance in his life.
Ultimately, "We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir" presents a complex portrait of Anthony Hopkins - a man driven by passion, fueled by anger, yet ultimately redeemed through art and poetry. As he says about Shakespeare's Kent, "He cannot flatter, he! An honest mind and plain – he must speak truth!" This commitment to authenticity is what has cemented his legacy as one of cinema's most captivating figures.
The title of the book references an old photograph of Hopkins as a toddler, taken by his father Richard Arthur Hopkins, who struggled with emotions but had a romantic streak. This stark contrast between his parents' personas would later shape Anthony's own personality - that of a tough, no-nonsense actor who demands professionalism, yet harbors vulnerabilities and insecurities.
Hopkins recounts his early life, including being expelled from school for reciting John Masefield's poem The West Wind without prior study. This event marked a turning point in his life, as he took to acting and eventually landed a role alongside Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic. His success stunned his parents, who had initially doubted their son's abilities.
However, Hopkins' temper also made headlines when he left the National Theatre company due to creative differences. The news shocked Laurence Olivier, but Hopkins persevered, landing iconic roles in films like "The Elephant Man" and TV shows that propelled him into global stardom.
In his autobiography, Hopkins appears to temper his fiery personality, showcasing a more reserved side, particularly when discussing his experiences with directors. Despite the highs of his career, he reveals moments of professional conflict and disappointment, including a highly publicized confrontation with actor Paul Sorvino on the set of Oliver Stone's "Nixon".
Hopkins' love for poetry is another recurring theme in the book, as he shares his favorite poems and explains how learning them by heart helped him find discipline and transcendence. His conclusion comes in the form of an appendix composed entirely of these poems - a bold statement that underscores their significance in his life.
Ultimately, "We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir" presents a complex portrait of Anthony Hopkins - a man driven by passion, fueled by anger, yet ultimately redeemed through art and poetry. As he says about Shakespeare's Kent, "He cannot flatter, he! An honest mind and plain – he must speak truth!" This commitment to authenticity is what has cemented his legacy as one of cinema's most captivating figures.
Anthony Hopkins' memoir sounds like a wild ride 
... I'm loving the idea of reading about his tumultuous life, especially how his dad's emotions shaped him 
. And that poem recitation incident? 
Still can't believe he got kicked out of school for quoting a poet 
!
I'm not sure how much of this is true... Where's the source on Anthony Hopkins' childhood being expelled from school for reciting a poem without prior study? 
And what about the part where he was supposed to be tough but had vulnerabilities and insecurities? Is that just a narrative device or is there actual evidence to back it up? 
I'm also curious about the tone of this book - it sounds like Hopkins is trying to temper his public image, but are we getting an honest portrayal of himself here? 
"the elephant man" & "nixon" are 2 of my fave films. gotta respect his passion for poetry too - it's like, he found discipline in learnin by heart these poems & it helped him stay grounded. anywayz, i think anthony hopkins' autobiography sounds pretty interestin, mighta got to read it 
Sharing his favorite poems and how they helped him find discipline and transcendence is so beautiful 
. It's like we're getting this exclusive look into the mind of a legend 
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Trust me, it's gonna be a wild and emotional ride! 
. I love how he talks about his struggles with emotions and being expelled from school for reciting a poem 
He's all about finding discipline and transcendence through art, which I can really get behind 
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. And his experiences with directors and colleagues are like, so real - you feel for the guy 
. Overall, "We Did OK, Kid: A Memoir" is a must-read for anyone who loves film or just wants to learn more about an iconic legend 
I can totally relate to how Anthony Hopkins describes his journey in life - it's like, you're this tough exterior on the outside but inside, you're still trying to figure things out and deal with your emotions. I mean, who hasn't felt like they were just "getting by" sometimes? It's so inspiring that he was able to find discipline through poetry - for me, writing has been a way to process my feelings too. And it's awesome that he shared his favorite poems in the book... it makes me want to go read some new ones 
But what really stood out for me is how he talks about his love for poetry – it's like a breath of fresh air 
. I'm not surprised he shares his favorite poems and uses them as a way to find discipline and transcendence, though. I've always been fascinated by the power of words and how they can shape our perspective 
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He's always been an actor who wears his heart on his sleeve, and this memoir is a testament to that 
and then the man himself becomes a book 
but honestly what i'm curious about is what sparked his passion for poetry and art all those years ago? was there something specific that got him hooked or was it just one of those things where you stumble upon it and never look back?
and his love for poetry is something i think we can all get behind 
what i find really interesting is how he balances his tough exterior with his more vulnerable side - it's like he's saying "hey, yeah i'm a hard guy to deal with, but deep down im still human" 
! He's always been a complex guy with so much depth, and I think that comes through in his writing. The way he talks about his struggles with creativity and professional conflicts is super relatable - we've all been there, right? 
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, this guy's life has been full of ups and downs. But what I love about his memoir is that he doesn't shy away from sharing the struggles – the professional conflicts, the vulnerabilities, the insecurities 
. It's like he's saying, "Yeah, I've had my fair share of tough times, but art and poetry helped me find a way through."