Sir Anthony Hopkins says 'I wonder how' as he speaks out about personal struggles in tell-all book
Sir Anthony Hopkins’ long-awaited memoir, We Did OK, Kid, is all set to be published this fall.
With its title inspired by a childhood photo of the Hollywood legend, the title will hit the stands on November 4.
In a statement released by publisher Summit Books (a Simon & Schuster imprint), Sir Anthony gave some insight into his memoir, sharing: “There is a photograph I keep on my phone of my father and me on the beach when I was a child. I often tell that boy: ‘We did OK, kid.
The Oscar-winning icon went on to add: "I wonder how a boy from Wales, the son of a baker, got here. My entire life is a great mystery. This book is my story.”
Sir Anthony Hopkins, 87, is a Hollywood superstar known for genre-defining films like The Silence of the Lambs, The Father, The Remains of the Day and The Lion in Winter.
Summit has announced that the actor has written about his childhood in Wales, his film and stage career, and his personal struggles – deep diving into his relationship with alcohol and how drinking destroyed his first marriage, impacted his relationship with his only child, and nearly cost him his life—the latter being the ultimate propeller towards giving up the drink. The memoir will chronicle his journey to sobriety and delve into how he has remained sober for nearly half a century.
The publisher’s announcement reads: “He constantly battles against the desire to move through life alone and avoid connection for fear of getting hurt — much like the men in his family — and as the years go by, he deals with questions of mortality, getting ready to discover what his father called The Big Secret.”
Summit’s announcement shares an insightful glance into the life of the young boy who was born and raised in Port Talbot, a small Welsh steel town shaped by war and depression. Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up surrounded by tough men who rejected emotional vulnerability, instead embracing alcoholism and brutality.
Struggling academically, he was seen by his peers, parents, and others as a failure with no prospects. However, one fateful Saturday night, the overlooked Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, igniting a passion for acting that would set him on an extraordinary path no one could have foreseen.
The memoir will also feature a special collection of personal photographs from the actor’s embellished life. The memoir’s audiobook will be narrated by Sir Anthony Hopkins himself.
We Did OK, Kid is being touted as a passionate and raw memoir from a complex, iconic figure who has inspired audiences for over 60 years with his impactful performances.
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