Summary
Overview
Sir Anthony Hopkins joins Armchair Expert to discuss his new memoir 'We Did Okay, Kid.' The legendary actor shares stories from his challenging childhood in Wales, his struggles with alcoholism, his 50-year sobriety journey, and how a working-class boy labeled a 'dunce' became one of cinema's greatest actors. Hopkins reflects on iconic roles including Hannibal Lecter, his photographic memory, his relationship with mentors like Laurence Olivier, and his philosophy that life shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Life Philosophy: Let Them and Don't Take It Seriously
Throughout the conversation, Hopkins emphasizes his core philosophy of acceptance and not taking life too seriously. He connects with the concept of 'let them'—being powerless over people, places, and things. He's learned to be dispassionate about acting while being cautious not to diminish others who find it deeply important. He maintains that we should just 'live our lives' and 'enjoy it' rather than getting caught up in rigid systems or guru worship.
- Hopkins immediately connected with the 'let them' philosophy of acceptance
- He learned in AA not to listen to gurus or follow rigid formulas, just 'live your life and enjoy it'
- Hopkins is dispassionate about acting but cautious not to rain on others' parades
- He advises being bold and stupid in youth: 'Be bold, the mighty forces will come to your aid'
- His motto is 'nil carborundum—don't let the bastards get you down'
" Whatever we can do to avoid making people uncomfortable and all the little problems they love, accept them. Because when you look in the mirror behind you a staff. Not sometimes. "
" You may fail. You may run into a wall. So what? You get up and you do it. Especially when you're young. You've got the guts and the strength to do it. And the stupidity. Be stupid. Just have a go at it. Be bold. The mighty forces will come to your aid. "
Alcoholism and 50 Years of Sobriety
Hopkins opens up about his battle with alcoholism and the pivotal moment in December 1975 when he sought help at an intergroup in Westwood. He describes hearing a voice that told him 'it's all over, now you can start living' and credits the program with saving his life. He emphasizes that he never felt like a victim and approaches his recovery with the same 'let them' philosophy he applies to life, rejecting rigid approaches and guru worship.
- Hopkins got sober on December 29th, 1975, approaching 50 years of sobriety
- He checked into an intergroup in Westwood, almost turned back, but heard a voice saying 'it's all over, now you can start living'
- A mentor named Jack Bailey told him 'don't listen to the gurus' and to just live his life and enjoy it
- Hopkins still attends meetings almost 50 years later and says he never preaches or talks about it constantly
- The craving to drink left immediately after getting sober and has never returned
" Coming up on 50 years. 50 years changed my life. I knew I was in big trouble. And I was about to turn back, and the voice in my head said, just get there, do something. The voice said, it's all over. Now you can start living in this open for a purpose. "
" I was drunk. I drank a lot. It was fun, you know, when booze works very quickly and it changes your relationship to space around you. It relaxes everything, and it's a false courage. But finally, I was just lucky to have enough brain cells left to say, you're going to die. "
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