Anthony Hopkins has revealed a terrifying incident made him ‘come to his senses’ and realise he was an alcoholic.
The two-time Oscar winner, 87, who has been sober for five decades, admitted he was once driving drunk and could have killed someone.
Hopkins, known for playing the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in multiple films, said the near-tragedy led him to seek support to deal with his addiction to alcohol.
He said during a Saturday appearance on the New York Times’ The Interview podcast: ‘I was drunk and driving my car here in California in a blackout, no clue where I was going, when I realized that I could have killed somebody. Or myself, which I didn’t care about.
‘I could have killed a family in a car, you know. I realized that I was an alcoholic, and I came to my senses.’
Soon after he then saw his ex-agent at a party and admitted to them: ‘I need help’, before turning his life around with the help of a 12-step program in Los Angeles.
Anthony Hopkins has revealed a terrifying incident made him ‘come to his senses’ and realise he was an alcoholic
The two-time Oscar winner, 87, who has been sober for five decades, admitted he was once driving drunk and could have killed someone
Last December he marked nearly five decades of sobriety via social media.
Hopkins told more than 5.3 million followers that help is available for those in search of it.
He said in a video on his socials: ‘If you do have a problem – having fun is wonderful, having a drink is fine – but if you are having a problem with the booze, there is help,’ Hopkins said. ‘It’s not a terrible deal – it’s a condition if you’re allergic to alcohol, get some help, there’s plenty of help around.
‘One thing I didn’t realize, that I was not unique. There are thousands of people around like me – anyway, I got sober and, it sounds a dull word, but I’ve had a wonderful life.’
He added: ‘They still employ me, they still give me jobs. I’m going to be 87 in two days now.’
The actor captioned the clip, ‘One day at a time. 49 years. Life is in session.’
Hopkins wrapped up in saying, ‘So I’m celebrating my long life – unexpectedly long life.’
He added, ‘So if you have a problem, you know where to go. Phone any intergroup, 12-step program, whatever you could do – because it is a killer – with that, happy new year!’
The actor is pictured in 1975, the year he said he confronted his alcoholism problems
Back in December 2023 he sent his fans and followers a sweet New Year’s message on Instagram – while also celebrating 48 years of sobriety
The year before that in December 2023 he sent his fans and followers a sweet New Year’s message on Instagram – while also celebrating 48 years of sobriety.
‘Hello there, Happy New Year to you all!’ he enthusiastically kicked off the clip. ‘All of you revellers, and drinkers all having fun. Wonderful!’
‘Happy New Year, have a great time,’ the Oscar winner continued, and added with a laugh, ‘If you get a hangover, remember me.’
The star expressed, ‘I don’t get them anymore because 48 years ago today, I stopped. I got help for it and my life changed.’
‘I don’t envy you having fun out there,’ Hopkins stated, and then encouraged individuals who are struggling with addiction to seek help.
‘But if you need help, there’s a time. Life is in session. Go for it,’ the Hannibal actor positively concluded.
Hopkins won his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Lecter in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs.
The film also won the Best Picture, Best Actress for Jodie Foster and Best Director for the late Jonathan Demme, among other honours, at the 1992 Oscars.
He reprised the role in 2001’s Hannibal opposite Julianne Moore, and 2002’s Red Dragon opposite Edward Norton.
Hopkins won his second Best Actor Oscar for 2021’s The Father opposite Olivia Colman for filmmaker Florian Zeller.
If you need help contact Alcohol Anonymous: 0800 917 7650 / help@aamail.org
