Anthony Hopkins: The Unauthorized Biography [Hardcover]

Michael Feeney Callan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1994

The first biography of the Academy Award-winning actor explains how Hopkins has struggled throughout his long career to balance his brilliant craftsmanship with erratic career decisions, emotional instability, and alcoholism.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The first life study of a hot older actor, written by a biographer to the stars (he's done Sean Connery, Julie Christie, and Richard Harris).
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Callan (who has written biographies of Sean Connery, Julie Christie, and Richard Harris) presents the star of Silence of the Lambs as someone who was under the influence of alcohol for years. As a boy, Hopkins was alternately withdrawn and rebellious, characteristics he exhibited through much of his life. He had early stage successes, but for years fell short of the big American film success he so desired, the reason apparently being that, with booze, he was "committing suicide on the installment plan." At the age of 38, he heard the "voice of God," renounced his drinking, and joined Alcoholics Anonymous. His larger accomplishments on the big screen took a number of years, but he was sober when he achieved them. Sound familiar in this age of glamorized excess, recovery, and subsequent prosperity? Yes, but Callan's book is well done, never gossipy or snippy. Brian McCombie

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 359 pages
• Publisher: Scribner; 1st Us Edition edition (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684196794
• ISBN-13: 978-0684196794
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,862,439 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything about Hopkins... and more, January 22, 2000

By 

Jennifer (Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Anthony Hopkins: The Unauthorized Biography (Hardcover)

An amazing depiction of Hopkins, I got what I wanted out of it! Unlike most biographies, this one was a keeper. It was a page-turner, especially if you are interested in Hopkins. I just wish it was more up to date!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Boring biography? NOT, November 2, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Anthony Hopkins: The Unauthorized Biography (Hardcover)

I've always found biographies to be a bit on the dry/boring side, this one, however, is not. There was not a boring page in this book. I enjoyed it immensely and could barely bring myself to put it down. This biography covers Mr. Hopkins life from birth through his success in Silence of the Lambs. It gives you an in depth look at his youth/childhood/formative years, as well as following his every career move. It was definitely a worth while read.