Anthony Hopkins Opens Up About Alcohol Addiction
Sir Anthony Hopkins has revealed that his battle with alcohol addiction nearly cost him his life. The 87-year-old, an Academy Award-winning Welsh actor, expressed deep regret about leaving his first wife and baby daughter due to his struggles.
Memoir Reveals Personal Struggles
In his upcoming memoir, We Did Ok, Kid, released on Tuesday, Hopkins reflects on the challenges he has faced throughout his life. He discusses how heavy drinking was common in his family and the theatre community, becoming a destructive habit.
Impact on Career and Personal Life
The actor confessed that his addiction led to conflicts with directors and performing on stage while intoxicated alongside his colleagues. Hopkins told The Guardian:
"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."
He described heavy drinking as once being a typical part of the environment and a form of rebellion:
"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."
However, he also recalled a moment of harsh realization:
"But I remember thinking one day: 'Yeah, and it’s going to kill you as well.'"
Summary
Hopkins' candid memoir sheds light on his near-fatal addiction, illustrating the toll it took on his career and family, while emphasizing the painful awareness that saved his life.
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