Anthony Hopkins is a British actor, director, and producer, widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. He was born on December 31, 1937, in Margam, Wales, and grew up in a family of bakers. Hopkins initially trained as a musician, playing the piano and violin, before turning to acting.

He began his career on stage in the late 1950s and early 1960s before making his film debut in 1967. Hopkins gained international recognition for his role as Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 film “The Silence of the Lambs”, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. He reprised the role in the sequels “Hannibal” and “Red Dragon”.

Throughout his career, Hopkins has appeared in a wide range of films, from historical dramas to horror movies to romantic comedies. Some of his notable performances include “The Elephant Man” (1980), “Legends of the Fall” (1994), “Thor” (2011), and “The Father” (2020), for which he won his second Academy Award for Best Actor.

In addition to his acting work, Hopkins has also directed several films and stage productions. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1993 for his services to the arts, and in 2020 he was awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award.

Anthony Hopkins is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of all time, and his performances have inspired and entertained audiences for decades. He continues to work in the film industry and remains a beloved figure in the entertainment world.