Anthony Hopkins is a veteran actor who gained fame and glory in movies like The Cannibal where he played Dr. Hannibal, he also played Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. These films bought him recognition and accolades. The actor won his first Oscar for Silence of the Lambs and his second Oscar for The Father (2020) making him the eldest Academy Award Winner.
Hopkins’ personal life holds no resemblance to his character in The Father. Unlike the film where he has a deeply loving relationship with his daughter; in real life, the actor is estranged from his only child.
Anthony Hopkins’ cold-hearted approach toward his family
His heartbreaking portrayal of a feisty old Londoner suffering from dementia while being tended to by his daughter, Olivia Colman, has received great reviews from critics. Ironically, Hopkins hasn’t seen his daughter, Abigail Harrison, in real life in more than 20 years.
In 2018, Hopkins was questioned about grandchildren, he was visibly agitated and said,
“I don’t have any idea. People break up. Families split and, you know, ‘Get on with your life.’ People make choices. I don’t care one way or the other.”
However, in 2002, the actor conceded that he has been an absent partner and father. He admitted to being selfish and was swept away by the toxic Hollywood.
“I guess I am selfish. I have not been a good husband or father. I hardly ever hear from her, she probably has good reasons I guess we are estranged. I hope she is well. She is too busy and has to do her own thing. I think she is in England somewhere. Life is life. You get on with it.”
Hopkins has been divorced twice and is currently married to a third lady who appears to have forced him into endeavors no one could have foreseen. He is renowned for being direct in interviews once when asked about the family he said, “You don’t have to like your family. Children don’t like their fathers. You don’t have to love each other.” When informed that he sounded cold, he responded, “Well it is cold. Because life is cold.”
Abigail Harrison was suicidal due to her estranged father
An argument between Abigail and Anthony Hopkins when she was 16 years old, allegedly over a remark the actor made about her mother, resulted in a time of no contact, which caused the adolescent to fall into drug addiction and suicidal ideation when she was 18, she left school. She revealed in an interview.
“I came very close to killing myself. It was the worst time I can remember. I abused my mind and body. The root cause was the fact that my father and I had an intermittent relationship when I was young. I was angry and there was a lot of grieving going on.”
The abuse continued before Harrison found peace in her budding acting career, the time lasted six months. She admitted in 2006 that she had done it alone because she wished to make a career for herself under the name Abigail Harrison rather than her father’s. Although they are more cordial towards each other the two cannot forgive and forget the past.
The Father is streaming on Starz.
Source: Mirror
