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We Did Ok, Kid: A Memoir
Academy Award-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins delves into his illustrious film and theatre career, difficult childhood and path to sobriety in his honest, moving and long-awaited memoir.
Born and raised in Port Talbot – a small Welsh steelworks town – amid war and depression, Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up around men who were tough, to say the least, and eschewed all forms of emotional vulnerability in favor of alcoholism and brutality. A struggling student in school, he was deemed by his peers, his parents and other adults as a failure with no future ahead of him. But, on a fateful Saturday night, the disregarded Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, sparking a passion for acting that would lead him on a path that no one could have predicted.
With candour and a voice that is both arresting and vulnerable, Sir Anthony recounts his various career milestones and provides a once-in-a-lifetime look into the brilliance behind some of his most iconic roles. His performance as Iago gets him admitted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and places him under the wing of Laurence Olivier. He meets Richard Burton by chance as a young boy in his art teacher’s apartment, and later, backstage before a performance of Equus as an established actor meeting his hero. His iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was informed by the creepy performance of Bela Lugosi in Dracula and the razor-sharp precision of his acting teacher. He pulls raw emotion from the stoicism of his father and grandfather for an unforgettable performance in King Lear.
Sir Anthony also takes a deeply honest look at the low points in his personal life. His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life – the latter ultimately propelling him toward sobriety, a commitment he has maintained for nearly half a century. 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.
Featuring a special collection of personal photographs throughout, We Did OK, Kid is a raw and passionate memoir from a complex, iconic man who has inspired audiences with remarkable performances for over sixty years.
Born and raised in Port Talbot – a small Welsh steelworks town – amid war and depression, Sir Anthony Hopkins grew up around men who were tough, to say the least, and eschewed all forms of emotional vulnerability in favor of alcoholism and brutality. A struggling student in school, he was deemed by his peers, his parents and other adults as a failure with no future ahead of him. But, on a fateful Saturday night, the disregarded Welsh boy watched the 1948 adaptation of Hamlet, sparking a passion for acting that would lead him on a path that no one could have predicted.
With candour and a voice that is both arresting and vulnerable, Sir Anthony recounts his various career milestones and provides a once-in-a-lifetime look into the brilliance behind some of his most iconic roles. His performance as Iago gets him admitted into the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and places him under the wing of Laurence Olivier. He meets Richard Burton by chance as a young boy in his art teacher’s apartment, and later, backstage before a performance of Equus as an established actor meeting his hero. His iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter was informed by the creepy performance of Bela Lugosi in Dracula and the razor-sharp precision of his acting teacher. He pulls raw emotion from the stoicism of his father and grandfather for an unforgettable performance in King Lear.
Sir Anthony also takes a deeply honest look at the low points in his personal life. His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life – the latter ultimately propelling him toward sobriety, a commitment he has maintained for nearly half a century. 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.
Featuring a special collection of personal photographs throughout, We Did OK, Kid is a raw and passionate memoir from a complex, iconic man who has inspired audiences with remarkable performances for over sixty years.
370 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2025
709 people are currently reading
6769 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Hopkins
21 books79 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database.
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage, and television, and a composer and painter. After graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 1957, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and was then spotted by Laurence Olivier who invited him to join the Royal National Theater. In 1968, he got his break in film in The Lion in Winter, playing Richard I.
Considered to be one of the greatest living actors, Hopkins is well known for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, its sequel Hannibal, and the prequel Red Dragon. Other notable films include The Mask of Zorro, The Bounty, Meet Joe Black, The Elephant Man, Magic, 84 Charing Cross Road, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Legends of the Fall, Thor, The Remains of the Day, Amistad, Nixon, The World's Fastest Indian, Instinct, and Fracture.(-wiki)
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, is a Welsh actor of film, stage, and television, and a composer and painter. After graduating from the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in 1957, he trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, and was then spotted by Laurence Olivier who invited him to join the Royal National Theater. In 1968, he got his break in film in The Lion in Winter, playing Richard I.
Considered to be one of the greatest living actors, Hopkins is well known for his portrayal of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, its sequel Hannibal, and the prequel Red Dragon. Other notable films include The Mask of Zorro, The Bounty, Meet Joe Black, The Elephant Man, Magic, 84 Charing Cross Road, Bram Stoker's Dracula, Legends of the Fall, Thor, The Remains of the Day, Amistad, Nixon, The World's Fastest Indian, Instinct, and Fracture.(-wiki)
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November 15, 2025always interesting to read about actors and their journey.
November 21, 2025
I've always admired Anthony Hopkins and his work. This memoir offered a wonderful glimpse into the man behind the spotlight. Throughout the book, Hopkins reflected on the roles he embraced and made his own, both on the screen and the stage. He elevated each character with the details that made them believable and memorable and that in turn made Hopkins himself impossible to forget.
I completely enjoyed the parts where he opens up about his family, his early experiences in acting, his journey to stardom, his alcoholism, and his other struggles. His success never felt like a matter of being in the right place at the right time. He clearly had the talent, discipline, and the presence to support every opportunity that came his way. He still remembered a lot of his lines from early on....and took every opportunity to share them with the reader. That wasn't always my favorite, but I have to say, I loved his tenacity.
Overall, this memoir was a heartfelt and engaging look at an extraordinary career and the person behind it. So 5 stars.
I completely enjoyed the parts where he opens up about his family, his early experiences in acting, his journey to stardom, his alcoholism, and his other struggles. His success never felt like a matter of being in the right place at the right time. He clearly had the talent, discipline, and the presence to support every opportunity that came his way. He still remembered a lot of his lines from early on....and took every opportunity to share them with the reader. That wasn't always my favorite, but I have to say, I loved his tenacity.
Overall, this memoir was a heartfelt and engaging look at an extraordinary career and the person behind it. So 5 stars.
November 9, 2025
Невероятният и истински Антъни Хопкинс. Не е нужно да казвам нищо повече.
November 9, 2025
Really interesting. An interesting life to read about!
I really appreciated his reflections on alcoholism and on his (“failed”) relationship to his daughter. I also found it so interesting that he stayed very close with his own parents throughout his life. Given his fame and age, it was just really interesting to hear so much about his relations with his parents. Not all famous people’s autobiographies would spend this much time reflecting on their relationships with their parents. He is especially eloquent/loving in describing his father and the men of his father’s generation.
He makes passing reference to his infidelities during his 2nd marriage. That seemed odd to me, because he never said more about it before or after that. So I was surprised he mentioned the topic, if he wasn’t going to discuss it more.
At the end there is 45 minutes of him reading his favorite poems, which was just really interesting.
(Interestingly, in contrast to what I recently said about Bjorn Borg’s autobiography, Anthony Hopkins really, really makes it clear in this that he has wrestled with how he handled fatherhood and his relationship with his daughter. I think he said it’s his greatest remorse and greatest sadness (?), or something along those lines—and that he is also sure the choice he made, to leave her mother because their marriage was so dysfunctional, was the correct one. But the level of his remorse, and the admission of his own imperfection is so clear here. It’s exactly the degree of introspection that I thought seemed to be missing from Borg’s autobiography.)
I really appreciated his reflections on alcoholism and on his (“failed”) relationship to his daughter. I also found it so interesting that he stayed very close with his own parents throughout his life. Given his fame and age, it was just really interesting to hear so much about his relations with his parents. Not all famous people’s autobiographies would spend this much time reflecting on their relationships with their parents. He is especially eloquent/loving in describing his father and the men of his father’s generation.
He makes passing reference to his infidelities during his 2nd marriage. That seemed odd to me, because he never said more about it before or after that. So I was surprised he mentioned the topic, if he wasn’t going to discuss it more.
At the end there is 45 minutes of him reading his favorite poems, which was just really interesting.
(Interestingly, in contrast to what I recently said about Bjorn Borg’s autobiography, Anthony Hopkins really, really makes it clear in this that he has wrestled with how he handled fatherhood and his relationship with his daughter. I think he said it’s his greatest remorse and greatest sadness (?), or something along those lines—and that he is also sure the choice he made, to leave her mother because their marriage was so dysfunctional, was the correct one. But the level of his remorse, and the admission of his own imperfection is so clear here. It’s exactly the degree of introspection that I thought seemed to be missing from Borg’s autobiography.)
November 5, 2025
A beautiful and brutally honest retrospective by Hopkins on his life, relationships, sobriety, and career… I loved every moment of this book.
November 10, 2025
A long slog through the life of an actor whose mindset is that of a very insecure rebel. It's a pretty unsatisfying read, especially if you're hoping to hear much about his movie work. There's a short chapter on Silence of the Lambs, but little about most other films and some of his best-known screen work isn't even mentioned. Seriously?
You may enjoy this if you admire a lot of introspection, poetic views of existence, his turning alcoholism into a life of sobriety, or hearing too much about his theater work. I admire Hopkins for facing head-on his faults and weaknesses, though he also skips over some major flaws (he mentions cheating on his wife with many women in just one sentence and his reputation for being a scary hothead on movie sets is barely acknowledged).
His single-sentence aside that his grandfather fed him beer regularly as a child is probably one of the most important things in the book, considering the mean alcoholic he became, but the author fails to hone in on that.
Meanwhile he goes off on tangents about stars he watched at the movie theater and quotes from other performers but it all has nothing to do with his actual life. Why is he including multi-paragraph Wikipedia style entries about American film actors, some of whom he tells more about than himself?! The oddest inclusion is a halfhearted message to his estranged daughter, who he abandoned when she was a child and he has failed to do much to show her his love.
In the hands of a better co-writer this could have been a worthy memoir. By the tenth time he's repeating his depressive "whoa-is-me" commentary it gets old, especially after he's rich and famous! And while he skips over many major events and films, in almost every aspect of his life he includes simplistic narrative on unimportant things like answering a door, answering a phone, the name of the pub where he had a drink and where he sat, what he ate at a restaurant, etc.
It feels like the book was rushed to publication while he's still alive (even a quick note added about his 2025 house fire a few months before publication) and it needed a sweeping edit that would cut out at least fifty pages. He could also dump the thirty pages of poetry that he includes at the end. It feels like one of those rambling four-hour theatrical productions that seems interesting at first, has some good spots, but would have been better cut almost in half.
I understand the title, since Hopkins internally still considers himself that little boy from Wales who was told he'd amount to nothing, but it also reflects that he wrote a memoir that is just "ok."
You may enjoy this if you admire a lot of introspection, poetic views of existence, his turning alcoholism into a life of sobriety, or hearing too much about his theater work. I admire Hopkins for facing head-on his faults and weaknesses, though he also skips over some major flaws (he mentions cheating on his wife with many women in just one sentence and his reputation for being a scary hothead on movie sets is barely acknowledged).
His single-sentence aside that his grandfather fed him beer regularly as a child is probably one of the most important things in the book, considering the mean alcoholic he became, but the author fails to hone in on that.
Meanwhile he goes off on tangents about stars he watched at the movie theater and quotes from other performers but it all has nothing to do with his actual life. Why is he including multi-paragraph Wikipedia style entries about American film actors, some of whom he tells more about than himself?! The oddest inclusion is a halfhearted message to his estranged daughter, who he abandoned when she was a child and he has failed to do much to show her his love.
In the hands of a better co-writer this could have been a worthy memoir. By the tenth time he's repeating his depressive "whoa-is-me" commentary it gets old, especially after he's rich and famous! And while he skips over many major events and films, in almost every aspect of his life he includes simplistic narrative on unimportant things like answering a door, answering a phone, the name of the pub where he had a drink and where he sat, what he ate at a restaurant, etc.
It feels like the book was rushed to publication while he's still alive (even a quick note added about his 2025 house fire a few months before publication) and it needed a sweeping edit that would cut out at least fifty pages. He could also dump the thirty pages of poetry that he includes at the end. It feels like one of those rambling four-hour theatrical productions that seems interesting at first, has some good spots, but would have been better cut almost in half.
I understand the title, since Hopkins internally still considers himself that little boy from Wales who was told he'd amount to nothing, but it also reflects that he wrote a memoir that is just "ok."
November 5, 2025
This was an amazingly written memoir.
November 13, 2025
Incredibly autistic for a guy who suddenly doesn't think autism is a thing despite proudly wearing that diagnosis about 10 years ago. Still an excellent book. One of those rare celebrity memoirs that doesn't make me feel like the guy who wrote it is kinda gross by the end of it.
November 6, 2025
An extremely interesting and thought provoking memoir. Sir Anthony talks about his alcoholism in depth and what eventually made him give up drinking. He talks about his family and how he regrets walking out on his then wife and daughter. It has not been an easy life but by God he's worked to get where he is today. Well done. Would definitely recommend to any one who loves memoirs.
December 3, 2025
As far as memoirs go, this was top shelf. The audiobook is narrated by Kenneth Branagh, not Anthony Hopkins himself, but this does nothing to detract from the atmosphere and that intimate listening feeling that a good memoir should give you. We do hear from Anthony, in the epilogue, which is made up of him reading a selection of poems that mean a lot to him. It's in this section that you appreciate why Anthony did not read his own memoir for the audiobook - he's almost ninety, and his age is evident in his voice. Kenneth Branagh was able to bring the full force of his acting talent to the 'role', which he did with vigour, and the resulting audiobook was a wonderful listening experience.
Anthony Hopkins certainly has a story to tell. It’s a long and winding life with plenty of initial setbacks in terms of his acting career, a bad first marriage, estrangement from his only child, alcoholism, a better second marriage, but still another divorce, a change of direction within his career, London, Hollywood, New York, and marrying for a third time later in life.
I absolutely loved his relationship with his parents. And while not without difficulty at times, it was always one of love, and as their only son, this came through in waves. His father asking him to recite Hamlet to him while on his death bed; his mother watching him win an Oscar for his role as Hannibal Lecter, even though she had to watch at 4am from Wales. These, and many other moments, brought tears to my eyes. His stories of his grandparents were also heart warming. His strong Welsh heritage is such a defining part of his character.
I laughed, also cried, was impressed over and over. One story I'll share and leave you with, is how Anthony tells of Jodi Foster admitting after the filming of The Silence of the Lambs was concluded, that she had been terrified of him the entire time, from the very first table read. He was that convincing as Hannibal Lecter.
I highly recommend this memoir. It was a brilliant read, entertaining and inspiring.
Anthony Hopkins certainly has a story to tell. It’s a long and winding life with plenty of initial setbacks in terms of his acting career, a bad first marriage, estrangement from his only child, alcoholism, a better second marriage, but still another divorce, a change of direction within his career, London, Hollywood, New York, and marrying for a third time later in life.
I absolutely loved his relationship with his parents. And while not without difficulty at times, it was always one of love, and as their only son, this came through in waves. His father asking him to recite Hamlet to him while on his death bed; his mother watching him win an Oscar for his role as Hannibal Lecter, even though she had to watch at 4am from Wales. These, and many other moments, brought tears to my eyes. His stories of his grandparents were also heart warming. His strong Welsh heritage is such a defining part of his character.
I laughed, also cried, was impressed over and over. One story I'll share and leave you with, is how Anthony tells of Jodi Foster admitting after the filming of The Silence of the Lambs was concluded, that she had been terrified of him the entire time, from the very first table read. He was that convincing as Hannibal Lecter.
I highly recommend this memoir. It was a brilliant read, entertaining and inspiring.
November 13, 2025
I am a huge fan of Anthony Hopkins, so I was pretty sure I would enjoy this memoir, impeccably read (on Audible) by Kenneth Branagh with a wonderful Epilogue of favourite poetry, read by Hopkins himself.
A surprise, I guess, was the fact that Hopkins, in his younger years, was quite a difficult person, difficult to understand and difficult to get along with, obviously lacking self confidence and belief in himself, ultimately leading to his alcoholism, despite his growing success and achievements. His story is filled with theatre and movie anecdotes and stories about other well known actors along with references to his often difficult family life.
What is no surprise of course, is his ultimate success . . . all the great plays and movies, the Oscars and so on.
As an ageing person myself, I particularly liked his reflections on getting older despite these being somewhat melancholy, his looking back on life and the philosophies he developed through his many and varied life experiences.
While being a Hopkins' fan certainly enhances this memoir, I think it would be an interesting read for anyone. I really enjoyed it. ****
A surprise, I guess, was the fact that Hopkins, in his younger years, was quite a difficult person, difficult to understand and difficult to get along with, obviously lacking self confidence and belief in himself, ultimately leading to his alcoholism, despite his growing success and achievements. His story is filled with theatre and movie anecdotes and stories about other well known actors along with references to his often difficult family life.
What is no surprise of course, is his ultimate success . . . all the great plays and movies, the Oscars and so on.
As an ageing person myself, I particularly liked his reflections on getting older despite these being somewhat melancholy, his looking back on life and the philosophies he developed through his many and varied life experiences.
While being a Hopkins' fan certainly enhances this memoir, I think it would be an interesting read for anyone. I really enjoyed it. ****
November 17, 2025
If there's a better memoir published this year, I sure don't know what it could be. Sir Anthony Hopkins' life from a perceived ne-r-do-well youth to an accomplished actor, award winner, and British knight is fascinating in its own right. He is a humble man who tells his extraordinary life . But what makes this book special is that he weaves in poems, lines from his movies and plays that add depth and emotion to his story. A must for movie fans, but actually, a must for anyone who is interested in reading a book well told.
This is a book that should be experienced as an audiobook. With Kenneth Branagh as the narrator, and Sir Anthony reading his favorite poems and reciting lines from various plays, it is an auditory feast. Find it on Libro dot fm or Libby.
This is a book that should be experienced as an audiobook. With Kenneth Branagh as the narrator, and Sir Anthony reading his favorite poems and reciting lines from various plays, it is an auditory feast. Find it on Libro dot fm or Libby.
December 2, 2025
Piękne podsumowanie życia z perspektywy człowieka, który wiele osiągnął, ale i popełnił mnóstwo błędów. Nie ma tu tego, co w autobiografiach doprowadza mnie do szału, czyli wybielania swoich występków. Hopkins pisze z perspektywy osoby, która przeżyła długie życie, wie, że niedługo się z nim pożegna i pokazuje, jak przez lata zmienił mu się charakter i priorytety. Na plus wybór ulubionych wierszy autora (na końcu książki)
December 12, 2025
Still reading, but oh, so good. I'm listening to the recording of this book done by Kenneth Branagh. Completely engrossing.
Brilliant book. Now I want to go back through all of Anthony Hopkins's movies. I rarely give five stars to any book, but this one earned it.
Thank you, Donna, for nudging me to read this book, so timely for me.
Brilliant book. Now I want to go back through all of Anthony Hopkins's movies. I rarely give five stars to any book, but this one earned it.
Thank you, Donna, for nudging me to read this book, so timely for me.
November 19, 2025
I actually started reading this book, but when I encountered the exceptional poetry in between its pages, I had to switch to the narrated version. I listened to the audiobook on Audible, and Kenneth Branagh’s performance is nothing short of remarkable. His skill at seamlessly shifting between different voices, accents, and emotional tones when voicing various characters is thoroughly engaging.
We Did OK, Kid is far more than a conventional actor’s memoir. Hopkins writes candidly about Port Talbot, alcoholism, and fractured relationships, but what surprised me most was how literary the book feels: he keeps circling back to Shakespeare and even the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam as if they were old companions helping him think through ageing, regret, and grace.
I cherished the moments when a line from Hamlet or King Lear would resonate alongside Khayyam’s quatrains, which encapsulate the blend of resilience, uncertainty, and tenderness that permeates the entire book. His writing style moves fluidly between straightforward, unvarnished confession and sudden bursts of poetic expression. This stylistic tension beautifully captures the contrast in his life between his strict working-class "son of a baker" upbringing and the refined, cultivated world of theatre and film that he inhabits.
This is a moving, self‑questioning memoir from someone who has every excuse to be self‑congratulatory and NEVER IS. It left me feeling that the title isn’t just a verdict on his career, but on the fragile, hard‑won peace of his later life.
Thank you, Sir Anthony, for sharing this remarkable memoir that has not only enriched my spirit with inspiration but also illuminated the profound beauty of perseverance and the human experience.
We Did OK, Kid is far more than a conventional actor’s memoir. Hopkins writes candidly about Port Talbot, alcoholism, and fractured relationships, but what surprised me most was how literary the book feels: he keeps circling back to Shakespeare and even the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam as if they were old companions helping him think through ageing, regret, and grace.
I cherished the moments when a line from Hamlet or King Lear would resonate alongside Khayyam’s quatrains, which encapsulate the blend of resilience, uncertainty, and tenderness that permeates the entire book. His writing style moves fluidly between straightforward, unvarnished confession and sudden bursts of poetic expression. This stylistic tension beautifully captures the contrast in his life between his strict working-class "son of a baker" upbringing and the refined, cultivated world of theatre and film that he inhabits.
This is a moving, self‑questioning memoir from someone who has every excuse to be self‑congratulatory and NEVER IS. It left me feeling that the title isn’t just a verdict on his career, but on the fragile, hard‑won peace of his later life.
Thank you, Sir Anthony, for sharing this remarkable memoir that has not only enriched my spirit with inspiration but also illuminated the profound beauty of perseverance and the human experience.
November 25, 2025
This started off stronger than I was expecting tbh and I liked hearing about his early family life and early acting career. I thought he was pretty honest/open about his alcoholism and journey to sobriety including what it cost him to get there. I also felt like he was really respectful about the way he selectively mentioned certain family members/partners. Then towards the end of the book he just starts reciting poems and Shakespeare soliloquies and he lost me. I could have done without the last 20% of the book but on the whole I’m happy I read this!
November 14, 2025
What a sensitive soul. So much of Mr Stevens (from Remains of the Day) in these lines. You can easily imagine this entire life like a movie, bullied “large-headed” boy, brave career moments, battles with drinking feelings down. A man of poetry, and a good ear. No wonder The Waltz Go On moves anyone who hears it the first time with familiar melancholy, it has so much unexpressed life bottled between its notes, and this memoir unveils plenty of it.
December 5, 2025
Noo, napisać dobrej książki nie daliście (rady, chłopaki).
Jedyny plus tej książki jest taki, że po latach obejrzałam Milczenie owiec.
34 (sic!) lata od premiery jest tak samo straszne jak oglądane za pierwszym razem, gdy się miało naście lat.
Jedyny plus tej książki jest taki, że po latach obejrzałam Milczenie owiec.
34 (sic!) lata od premiery jest tak samo straszne jak oglądane za pierwszym razem, gdy się miało naście lat.
December 9, 2025
What a heart wrenching memoir. This, at least to me, shows how early childhood can affect everything you do going forward. Some of the pages and statements hurt, but, it seems that, through it all, there was a glrious light at the end. To truly be yourself is a gift and I'm glad Hopkins was able to find it.
December 12, 2025
Really liked it
December 12, 2025
I will not be okay when this man leaves us.
November 17, 2025
9.05 hours on Audible. Overall enjoyed it, but tedious appendix at the end.
December 2, 2025
But if you survive long enough, you come to the point: We come and say, "Hello," hang around, then say, "Goodbye, kids."
Hopkins' voice is so well known from his famous roles on stage and screen that reading this book was, for me, almost like listening to an audiobook version. Writing at age 87 and from a clearly happy place, he shares life lessons learned and his difficulties along the way, and he does pull too many punches. The saddest part to me was his anecdote about playing King Lear eight years ago and uttering the line "I did her wrong," Lear's tragic realization regarding Cordelia, only then--at age 79--feeling "deeply," he says, "perhaps for the first time in my life, how I had hurt my own daughter, Abigail," whom he'd left when she was an infant when he walked out on his first wife in 1972. It's the one part of his narrative that doesn't jibe with this memoir's title, and even though he doesn't provide any details on how Abigail's life turned out, he does say, unflinchingly, "After realizing I was unfit as a father for Abigail, I vowed not to have any more children, and I have kept that promise. I knew I was too selfish." Other parts of the book are way more fun, especially when he's discussing his iconic roles--particularly the whole chapter on portraying Hannibal Lecter ("That role was a turning point in my lie, not just my career, because it helped me reach a new level of self-assurance.")--and delivering acting advice in general ("go through the script a thousand times"). Even before he divulges late in the book that his third/current wife believes he probably has Asperger's, he's related enough details along the way regarding his obsessive-compulsive tendencies and photographic memory for poetry that the revelation makes sense. What was surprising to me was the level of anger and self-doubt he harbored for so much of his life, all of which makes his current level of peace and serenity a happier book ending. I like these lines he shared with the young people at his "artists forum":
Believe that your life is all a matter of weaving; when you look back over the years, you'll see a tapestry.
His book is an intricately rich example of one of those.
First line:
"One gray Sunday morning in 1941, in the sand dunes of Aberavon Beach, a friend of my father's, Cliff Mathers, handed me a cough lozenge."
December 9, 2025
I'm listening to Hopkins' beautiful composition, And the Waltz Goes On as I type this review.
I listened to the audiobook, brilliantly narrated by Sir Kenneth Branagh with poetry readings by Sir Anthony Hopkins. It was often hard to tear myself away from this audiobook. The narration was wonderful and the writing was every bit as good. I really admire Hopkins' candour; he doesn't shy away from his flaws, but faces them head-on.
He talks a lot about his battle with alcoholism as well as his abandonment of his only child; something that is obviously still very painful for him.
I know other reviewers have said they're disappointed that he didn't talk as much about his work, but I'm far more interested in the person behind the films, than the films themselves. Hearing all the nitty gritty about how each film was made would've got boring eventually, I'm sure.
Hearing about his childhood in Wales and how he struggled at school, and about his dad's bakery, and his parents' depression was really interesting to me, as was his assertion that actors are only human and he can't stand the ones who have enormous egos and can't bear eye contact from us peasants.
Hopkins is a national treasure and I'm grateful that he put pen to paper and wrote about his life, which has been far from boring.
The added joy of the audiobook was the final chapters in which Hopkins himself reads some of his favourite poems and soliloquies. My personal favourite which really resonated with me is, Remember by Christina Rossetti. I also adored The West Wind by John Masefield; the first poem Hopkins really "performed" when he was just a boy.
I listened to the audiobook, brilliantly narrated by Sir Kenneth Branagh with poetry readings by Sir Anthony Hopkins. It was often hard to tear myself away from this audiobook. The narration was wonderful and the writing was every bit as good. I really admire Hopkins' candour; he doesn't shy away from his flaws, but faces them head-on.
He talks a lot about his battle with alcoholism as well as his abandonment of his only child; something that is obviously still very painful for him.
I know other reviewers have said they're disappointed that he didn't talk as much about his work, but I'm far more interested in the person behind the films, than the films themselves. Hearing all the nitty gritty about how each film was made would've got boring eventually, I'm sure.
Hearing about his childhood in Wales and how he struggled at school, and about his dad's bakery, and his parents' depression was really interesting to me, as was his assertion that actors are only human and he can't stand the ones who have enormous egos and can't bear eye contact from us peasants.
Hopkins is a national treasure and I'm grateful that he put pen to paper and wrote about his life, which has been far from boring.
The added joy of the audiobook was the final chapters in which Hopkins himself reads some of his favourite poems and soliloquies. My personal favourite which really resonated with me is, Remember by Christina Rossetti. I also adored The West Wind by John Masefield; the first poem Hopkins really "performed" when he was just a boy.
November 10, 2025
With vivid candor and insight, Anthony Hopkins’s memoir, “We Did Ok, Kid,” offers a window into the life of one of cinema’s most celebrated figures. Hopkins’ reflections on his bond with his parents are especially poignant, notably his turbulent relationship with his father and how he later found peace. A compelling part of the book is learning how Hopkins, unaware he was on the autism spectrum for much of his life, adds depth to his early struggles with relationships and academics.
Hopkins’ openness about his struggles with alcohol is both forthright and commendable—he takes responsibility for the harm it caused, particularly in his relationship with his daughter, and his apology for a hurtful remark in an interview feels deeply sincere and heartfelt. Throughout the memoir, Hopkins recounts pivotal moments from his career, yet he remains modest and grounded, never boasting or displaying arrogance—a quality consistent with his stance on entitlement. Notably, he omits mention of his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, further demonstrating his humility despite such a prestigious distinction.
The memoir closes on an optimistic note. Hopkins finds fulfillment in his third marriage and harmony in his later years, continuing to deliver memorable performances. “We Did Ok, Kid” is both candid and uplifting, offering a nuanced portrait of a remarkable life.
Hopkins’ openness about his struggles with alcohol is both forthright and commendable—he takes responsibility for the harm it caused, particularly in his relationship with his daughter, and his apology for a hurtful remark in an interview feels deeply sincere and heartfelt. Throughout the memoir, Hopkins recounts pivotal moments from his career, yet he remains modest and grounded, never boasting or displaying arrogance—a quality consistent with his stance on entitlement. Notably, he omits mention of his knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II, further demonstrating his humility despite such a prestigious distinction.
The memoir closes on an optimistic note. Hopkins finds fulfillment in his third marriage and harmony in his later years, continuing to deliver memorable performances. “We Did Ok, Kid” is both candid and uplifting, offering a nuanced portrait of a remarkable life.
November 29, 2025
I definitely don't like Hopkins more than I did before I read this book, but I certainly understand him better. I had a few lightbulb moments reading this book as an artist and overall found it deeply inspiring. my main issue is with Hopkins as a person, which I tried not to let influence my rating or overall perception of the book.
still, it was difficult to read about him burning through two marriages, including one where he abandoned a year old daughter, before settling on a woman nearly twenty years his junior who has taken it upon herself to "fix" him. gratitude is shown toward her capacity to caretake and her beauty and not much else. it's just such cheap, stereotypical behaviors for men with power and money. I appreciate that he seems to take responsibility for harming the ex wives and estranged daughter, I guess. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up - I'll use what I need out of this memoir and skip the rest if I feel the need to revisit it.
still, it was difficult to read about him burning through two marriages, including one where he abandoned a year old daughter, before settling on a woman nearly twenty years his junior who has taken it upon herself to "fix" him. gratitude is shown toward her capacity to caretake and her beauty and not much else. it's just such cheap, stereotypical behaviors for men with power and money. I appreciate that he seems to take responsibility for harming the ex wives and estranged daughter, I guess. 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up - I'll use what I need out of this memoir and skip the rest if I feel the need to revisit it.
November 14, 2025
Had some time to let this book ruminate. It’s got so much life experience packed into it that I didn’t know where to start. The book is very honest, especially in the topics of alcoholism, relationships, and embracing faith. Anthony is at times complex and blunt, but he’s a master at crafting the narrative to build believable on-screen characters. I loved the behind-the-scenes film stuff (I always have), and there’s even some deep dives into poetry and theater. I was pleased that he wasn’t self-aggrandizing, and he makes it clear that he values what everyone brings to the table. This book is Anthony’s legacy wrapped up in an easy-to-follow story that dumps all the good and bad of a full, respectable life.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm for the ALC.
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Audio and Libro.fm for the ALC.
November 21, 2025
I’ve had a thing for Anthony Hopkins since I was a teenager and saw him in Silence of the Lambs, so I had to read this. He’s had an incredible career, and considering his difficult, self-destructive personality and serious alcohol addiction it’s surprising he made it. He talks about his childhood in Wales a lot, the influence of his parents and the actors who inspired him. He has a rare ability to memorise whole conversations, dates and details, and this, paired with his frank and acute self-awareness makes for a very readable life story, one that isn’t over yet. I love the inclusion of his favourite poems at the end too.
November 12, 2025
The best memoir I’ve experienced. Found it to be very emotional and relatable, I thought Anthony was honest and reflective in a way that felt very natural. As if I was sitting opposite him listening to him talk over a cup of tea.
I listened to the audiobook and I would HIGHLY recommend consuming it in audio format. It’s narrated by Kenneth Branagh who brings wonderful depth to the words and then at the end there are poems that are read by Anthony himself, along with a piece of music that he composed.
It’s a beautiful reflection on life that I already know will be in my thoughts for a long time.
I listened to the audiobook and I would HIGHLY recommend consuming it in audio format. It’s narrated by Kenneth Branagh who brings wonderful depth to the words and then at the end there are poems that are read by Anthony himself, along with a piece of music that he composed.
It’s a beautiful reflection on life that I already know will be in my thoughts for a long time.
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