Anthony Hopkins: the photo shoot and interview for L'Uomo
There are so many strings to Sir Anthony Hopkins’ bow that you’d be better off calling it a harp. In his professional milieu, Hopkins has won two Best Actor Academy Awards (including this year’s, for The Father). These highest of actorly accolades are the icing on a densely layered career that has seen him progress from his much loved home turf in Port Talbot, Wales, to the London stage, to mastering Merchant Ivory period dramas, to capturing the essence of a compelling community of flawed, driven and often monstrous protagonists including Richard Nixon, Alfred Hitchcock, Adolf Hitler and – perhaps most memorably – Hannibal Lecter. When he’s off camera Hopkins is a keen pianist, painter and – when schedules allow – holidaymaker. That last interest sparked the serendipitous circumstance that led to L’Uomo Vogue’s meeting with an actor who embodies excellence, understatement and dedication to his craft. After he’d completed his bravura performance as a model for these pages, he granted us a few words – before slipping out the stage door and on to his next adventure.
Hello Sir Anthony, and thanks very much for being part of this L’Uomo Vogue. Is it right you are in Umbria at the moment? Is Italy a place you and your wife Stella visit regularly?
Thank you. I’m honoured, and quite honestly, I don’t understand how it’s possible at 83 years of age to start a modelling career. We are currently in Tuscany. When my agent presented the offer of the L’Uomo Vogue photo shoot, Italy seemed like the most fitting location. It gave us a great reason to visit one of our favourite parts of the world.
Congratulations on your most recent Best Actor Academy Award. You won it this year for your role in “The Father”, which was a very harrowing story that many families – and fathers – can relate to. How did you approach the role of a man balancing his pride and independence against the onset of Alzheimer’s?
As I’m getting older, I find it easier to be in touch with my feelings and emotions. The script was so well written, condensed, contained and upsetting – it was a road map. I’m not a method actor, and I don’t sit in a corner embodying the character.
Richard Burton once said: “The Welsh are all actors. It’s only the bad ones who become professional.” I more than suspect he was being tongue-in-cheek, but what do you reckon your Welshness contributes to your facility as an actor?
I’m very proud of my Welsh heritage. I hold a strong nostalgic connection to my roots. My parents and grandparents were strong, hard-working people. I’m certain it’s the backbone of my life as an actor.
(Continues)
Fashion credits:
Photographs by Luis Alberto Rodriguez
Styling by Beat Bolliger
Stylist’s assistant Giovanni Beda
On set Take Off Productions
Opening picture: boxy coat made of poly wool, Lemaire; long-sleeved polo shirt in wool, cashmere and silk, Brioni; trousers in cool wool, Boss.
Read the full interview by Luke Leitch and see the photo shoot by Luis Alberto Rodriguez in the July issue of L'Uomo, on newsstands from June 29th
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