Anthony Hopkins, the legendary actor behind Dr. Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs," has come out swinging with his memoir "We Did OK, Kid." The book is a candid account of his life, from his humble beginnings as a vulnerable toddler to his rise to global stardom.
Hopkins' entry into showbiz was far from glamorous. As a young boy, he was described by his father, Richard Arthur Hopkins, a baker and man's man, as "a bewildered, lonely, vulnerable little boy." But it was during an English lesson where he had to recite John Masefield's poem "The West Wind" sight unseen that Hopkins' voice came alive. This moment marked the beginning of his journey to becoming a renowned actor.
Throughout the book, Hopkins recounts his time at Rada and how he eventually joined the YMCA drama club, setting him on a path to stardom. His career took off when he was cast alongside Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic, an achievement that left his father in awe. It's clear that Hopkins' success is not just about talent but also about perseverance and hard work.
Hopkins has had his share of controversies, including quitting the National Theatre company in a fit of pique. However, he also credits being sober for 1975 as turning point in his life, allowing him to focus on his craft.
One aspect that might leave readers underwhelmed is Hopkins' persona becoming more opaque and studied towards the latter half of the book. Some anecdotes fall flat, and his responses to criticisms from co-stars like Paul Sorvino seem overly accommodating.
Despite this, Hopkins remains a talented actor who exudes professionalism on set. His infamous confrontation with an obnoxious director about treating a young extra with respect shows that he won't back down when it comes to defending others or standing up for himself.
The book concludes with an unusual yet fascinating appendix comprising Hopkins' favorite poems. This highlights the discipline and dedication required to master these works, which ultimately contributed to his success in the entertainment industry.
Ultimately, "We Did OK, Kid" is a memoir that showcases Anthony Hopkins' unyielding spirit and unwavering commitment to his craft. While some aspects may feel uneven, it remains an engaging account of a legendary actor's journey from vulnerability to stardom.
Hopkins' entry into showbiz was far from glamorous. As a young boy, he was described by his father, Richard Arthur Hopkins, a baker and man's man, as "a bewildered, lonely, vulnerable little boy." But it was during an English lesson where he had to recite John Masefield's poem "The West Wind" sight unseen that Hopkins' voice came alive. This moment marked the beginning of his journey to becoming a renowned actor.
Throughout the book, Hopkins recounts his time at Rada and how he eventually joined the YMCA drama club, setting him on a path to stardom. His career took off when he was cast alongside Laurence Olivier at the Old Vic, an achievement that left his father in awe. It's clear that Hopkins' success is not just about talent but also about perseverance and hard work.
Hopkins has had his share of controversies, including quitting the National Theatre company in a fit of pique. However, he also credits being sober for 1975 as turning point in his life, allowing him to focus on his craft.
One aspect that might leave readers underwhelmed is Hopkins' persona becoming more opaque and studied towards the latter half of the book. Some anecdotes fall flat, and his responses to criticisms from co-stars like Paul Sorvino seem overly accommodating.
Despite this, Hopkins remains a talented actor who exudes professionalism on set. His infamous confrontation with an obnoxious director about treating a young extra with respect shows that he won't back down when it comes to defending others or standing up for himself.
The book concludes with an unusual yet fascinating appendix comprising Hopkins' favorite poems. This highlights the discipline and dedication required to master these works, which ultimately contributed to his success in the entertainment industry.
Ultimately, "We Did OK, Kid" is a memoir that showcases Anthony Hopkins' unyielding spirit and unwavering commitment to his craft. While some aspects may feel uneven, it remains an engaging account of a legendary actor's journey from vulnerability to stardom.
The way he talks about being vulnerable as a kid, but finding his voice through that poem... it's amazing. And I love how he stays true to himself even when faced with criticism. Not perfect, but relatable. Also, can we talk about the appendix at the end? His favorite poems? That's dedication right there 
i mean, quitting the national theatre company in a fit of pique? big deal, happened to lots of actors. and don't even get me started on how "opaque" he becomes towards the end of the book... sounds like he's trying too hard to come across as some kind of intellectual or whatever 
I gotta say, I loved reading about how Anthony Hopkins got started in acting 
. The part where he had that English lesson and just nailed it is so cool 
. It's amazing how far he's come from being a 'bewildered, lonely' kid to becoming a global superstar 
. But what really struck me was his openness about struggling with sobriety - it shows that even the most successful people can have their own battles 
. The book might not be perfect, but it's still super inspiring and gives you chills when you see how dedicated he is to his craft 
. And I love the appendix with his favorite poems 
but seriously tho, it's actually kinda cool how he found his voice in that english lesson 
anyway, i do feel bad for him when he quit that national theatre company tho, sounded like a major tantrum 
but hey, being sober is def key to success and all that jazz 
. Like, yeah, being sober for 1975 was a big deal and all, but what about his actual struggles with fame? You'd think that would be worth more than a few paragraphs.
. I need to see some raw honesty in a memoir from someone of his caliber.
. It shows that even at 85, he still puts in the work and is dedicated to mastering the craft. That's something to be admired, I guess 
His memoir's all over the place like his acting career lol 1st half is fire 
but gets weird & stale towards the end 
just read about anthony hopkins' new book "we did ok kid" 
the guy was basically broke and didn't know what he was doing in his 20s, but then he started acting and suddenly he's a star 
The way he talks about his struggles as a young kid and how that affected his life is so relatable. It's like, you can feel the pain and loneliness behind those words. But at the same time, it's also super inspiring to see him persevere and turn his passion into an incredible career. His story is like a reminder that talent alone isn't enough, but with hard work and dedication, you can achieve greatness 
. And I love that he shares some of his favorite poems in the appendix - it shows just how disciplined and focused he's always been as an artist. Overall, it's a pretty cool read 
.
. I love how he shares his struggles and how he worked hard to get where he is today 
he went through so much as a kid but found solace in voice acting and poetry like his life was literally turned around when he started reciting that poem by John Masefield... it's crazy how that one moment sparked something within him 
. But what really impressed me is how candid he is about his struggles and controversies. Like, who knew he was kicked out of National Theatre for being a drama queen? 
I loved reading about how Anthony Hopkins got started in acting, especially the part where he had to recite that poem in class and just killed it 
It's crazy to think that was the moment that made him realize his passion for performing. And I gotta respect how honest he is about his controversies too, like quitting the National Theatre - not everyone has the guts to own up to those kinds of mistakes 
Overall though, it's a really engaging read and I loved getting a glimpse into Hopkins' world