Anthony Hopkins is a Welsh actor widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation, a performer whose career has spanned more than six decades and who has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor. From his terrifying turn as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs to his heartbreaking performance in The Father, Hopkins has played everyone from kings and butlers to monsters and magicians, and he has done it with a craft and an intensity that few actors can match.
| Full Name | Philip Anthony Hopkins |
| Date of Birth | December 31, 1937 |
| Age | 88 years old (as of November 2026) |
| Birthplace | Port Talbot, Wales |
| Nationality | Welsh, American |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.74 m) |
| Profession | Actor, director, composer |
| Known For | The Silence of the Lambs, The Father, The Remains of the Day |
| Wife | Stella Arroyave (married 2003) |
| Children | One, Abigail |
| Net Worth | Approx. $160 million (Celebrity Net Worth, 2025) |
Who Is Anthony Hopkins?
Anthony Hopkins is an actor who became one of the biggest stars in world cinema. He first found fame on stage, where he was a member of the Royal National Theatre, and then on screen with The Lion in Winter in 1968, in which he played Richard the Lionheart, and with The Elephant Man in 1980, in which he played Dr Frederick Treves. He went on to star in The Silence of the Lambs in 1991, in which he played Hannibal Lecter, a performance that earned him his first Academy Award and that is widely regarded as one of the greatest in film history.
Hopkins won his second Academy Award for Best Actor for The Father in 2020, in which he played a man with dementia, a performance that made him the oldest winner of the Best Actor Oscar, at the age of 83. He was also nominated for The Remains of the Day, Nixon, Amistad and The Two Popes, and he appeared in the television series Westworld as Dr Robert Ford.
Early Life & Background
Philip Anthony Hopkins was born on December 31, 1937, in Port Talbot, Wales, the son of a baker father, and he grew up in Port Talbot, where he attended Cowbridge Grammar School. He studied at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff, and then at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where he graduated in 1957.
After graduating from RADA, Hopkins joined the Royal National Theatre, where he was mentored by Laurence Olivier, and he appeared in plays including King Lear and Hamlet. He also appeared on television, including in the series The Lindisfarne Raid, and in film, including in The Lion in Winter, which made him a star.
He was married to actress Petronella Barker from 1966 to 1972, and they have a daughter, Abigail. He was married to Jennifer Lynton from 1973 to 2002. In 2003, he married Stella Arroyave, a Colombian-born actress and art dealer. He was knighted in 1993 for his services to drama, and he became a US citizen in 2000.
Career
Hopkins’s breakthrough came with The Silence of the Lambs in 1991, in which he played Hannibal Lecter, opposite Jodie Foster. The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and Hopkins’s performance, in which he appears on screen for only sixteen minutes, is widely regarded as one of the greatest in film history.
After The Silence of the Lambs, Hopkins appeared in The Remains of the Day, Nixon, Amistad, The Mask of Zorro and Thor, in which he played Odin, and he won his second Oscar for The Father in 2020. He also appeared in the television series Westworld, and he directed the films August and Slipstream.
Like fellow British screen legend Michael Caine, Hopkins is known for a career that spans decades and for the craft and intensity he brings to every performance. He continues to act, compose and paint, and he remains one of the most beloved actors in cinema.
Facts About Anthony Hopkins
- Anthony Hopkins has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor, for The Silence of the Lambs and The Father.
- He played Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, appearing on screen for only sixteen minutes.
- He was born in Port Talbot, Wales, in 1937, and studied at RADA in London.
- He was knighted in 1993 for his services to drama and became a US citizen in 2000.
- He has been married to Stella Arroyave since 2003, and they have a daughter, Abigail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Anthony Hopkins?
Anthony Hopkins was born on December 31, 1937, which makes him 88 years old as of November 2026.
How tall is Anthony Hopkins?
Anthony Hopkins is 5 feet 9 inches tall (1.74 metres).
Who is Anthony Hopkins married to?
Anthony Hopkins has been married to Stella Arroyave since 2003. They have a daughter, Abigail.
What is Anthony Hopkins’s net worth?
Anthony Hopkins’s net worth is estimated at approximately $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth in 2025.
What is Anthony Hopkins best known for?
Anthony Hopkins is best known for playing Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs and for The Father.