Anthony Hopkins, 87, Reveals the Terrifying Incident That Made Him Realise He Was an Alcoholic — as He Prepares to Mark 50 Years of Sobriety
At 87, Sir Anthony Hopkins remains one of the world’s most respected and beloved actors — but behind his extraordinary career lies a story of personal struggle and redemption. As he approaches an incredible 50 years of sobriety, the Oscar-winning star has shared a haunting memory of the moment he realised alcohol was destroying his life.
Speaking candidly in a recent interview, Hopkins described a “terrifying incident” from his younger years that changed everything. “I woke up in a hotel room in Arizona,” he recalled. “I had no idea how I got there. My car was outside, and I didn’t even remember driving across the desert.” The memory, he says, still chills him to this day. “That was the moment I thought, ‘Something’s very wrong here.’ I was close to losing everything.”
Hopkins, best known for iconic roles in The Silence of the Lambs, The Father, and The Remains of the Day, said alcohol had become a dangerous escape during his early acting career. “I drank because I was full of fear and self-doubt,” he admitted. “But the drinking only made those feelings worse. It was like I was possessed by something that wanted to destroy me.”
Shortly after that terrifying night, Hopkins sought help — and in December 1975, he attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting that would change the course of his life. “A woman at the meeting asked, ‘Why don’t you just trust in something greater than yourself?’ I didn’t understand it at the time, but something clicked. From that day, I’ve never had a drink again.”
Now, nearly five decades later, the Welsh-born legend often speaks openly about sobriety, hoping to inspire others battling addiction. “I don’t preach,” he said. “But I tell people: you don’t have to suffer. Life can be amazing — but you have to get out of your own way.”
Hopkins frequently marks his sobriety anniversaries with heartfelt posts on social media, encouraging fans to seek help if they’re struggling. “Stay strong. Keep fighting. Be kind to yourself,” he wrote in a New Year’s message last year.
Beyond his acting triumphs, Hopkins credits his long-term recovery for giving him peace and purpose. “Without sobriety, none of this — the films, the music, the joy of life — would have been possible,” he said. “It gave me a second chance, and I’ve never taken it for granted.”
As he prepares to celebrate 50 years sober this December, Sir Anthony’s message remains as powerful as ever: even from the darkest moments, redemption is possible.
“I’m just grateful to be alive,” he reflected. “That lost man from the desert is gone — and I never want to see him again.”
