Sir Anthony Hopkins Announces ‘Raw and Passionate’ Memoir We Did OK, Kid
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(674x481:676x483):format(webp)/Anthony-Hopkins-Book-We-Did-Ok-Kid-1-030325-4aa14902bb86459dbe75393d5e33523a.jpg)
Legendary actor Sir Anthony Hopkins, 87, is set to release his first-ever memoir, We Did OK, Kid, on November 4 through Summit Books. The two-time Academy Award winner will also narrate the audiobook, offering an intimate and unfiltered look into his illustrious career, turbulent childhood, and lifelong journey to sobriety.
“I like it, and I think you will too,” Hopkins says in a video announcing the memoir. “Have a read.”
A Deeply Honest Look at His Life
According to the publisher, the book promises to be raw and vulnerable, detailing the highs and lows of Hopkins’ personal and professional journey.
“His addiction cost him his first marriage, his relationship with his only child, and nearly his life,” the synopsis reveals.
The memoir will explore his struggles with alcoholism, the impact of his difficult upbringing, and his eventual path to sobriety—a commitment he has maintained for nearly 50 years. Hopkins also reflects on his fear of connection and contemplation of mortality, touching on what his father once called “The Big Secret.”
A Career Spanning Six Decades
Born in South Wales in 1937, Hopkins described himself as a “poor learner” in school. However, his passion for acting led him to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama before earning a spot as Sir Laurence Olivier’s understudy at the Royal National Theatre in London.
Over the years, Hopkins became a cinematic powerhouse, starring in classics like The Remains of the Day, Nixon, Amistad, and The Silence of the Lambs—the latter earning him his first Oscar in 1992. In 2021, at 83 years old, he made history as the oldest actor to win Best Actor at the Academy Awards for The Father.
A Personal Collection of Memories
Alongside his storytelling, We Did OK, Kid will include a collection of personal photographs, offering readers a glimpse into Hopkins’ life beyond the screen.
The actor first teased his memoir in January 2024, telling PEOPLE:
“I’m writing a biography. It’s a weird process. But I realized I’m blessed with one thing—maybe it’s my actor’s brain—I have quite a memory.”
What’s Next for Hopkins?
Even at 87, Hopkins remains active in the industry. He recently starred in the series Those About to Die and the Netflix film Mary and is set to appear in a biopic about the Maserati family directed by Oscar winner Bobby Moresco.
Hopkins resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Stella Arroyave, who is currently working on a documentary about his life.
“I don’t know when it’s coming out. I don’t ask her,” Hopkins joked. “It’s quite a lot of film.”
With We Did OK, Kid, the world will finally hear Hopkins’ life story in his own words—a testament to a career and life filled with art, struggle, and triumph.