From a baker's son in a bleak post-war Welsh village to "unquestionably the greatest actor of his generation" (Richard Attenborough), Anthony Hopkins has amassed a prodigious body of work, and created some of the most memorable characters in cinematic history. Callan traces Hopkins' long and illustrious career; his training at RADA; the first performances with the Phoenix Theatre Company in the early sixties; auditioning for his idol Laurence Olivier for a position at the National Theatre; and the numerous film roles which have seen his gift for acting and directing rewarded with Emmy and Academy Awards. In a career that spans fifty years, and with over ninety films and plays to his name, Hopkins has worked with some of Hollywood's most talented actors and directors. 'The Lion in Winter' saw him with legends Peter O'Toole and Katharine Hepburn, he is fondly remembered for his searingly human performances in the Merchant Ivory classics 'Howard's End' and 'The Remains of the Day,' and justly celebrated for the role of Hannibal Lector.
Awarded the OBE in 1987 but an American citizen since 2000, Callan investigates Hopkins' relationship to Britain, to his friends, family and colleagues. This wide-ranging, detailed and authoritative biography does justice to the richly varied career of this much respected star of stage and screen.