Legendary actor Anthony Hopkins is celebrating life being “in session” as he looks back at 49 years of sobriety just two days ahead of his 87th birthday on Tuesday.
Hopkins, who won Oscars for his roles in “The Silence of the Lambs” and “The Father,” shared a video to his Instagram account Sunday where he reflected on his decision to stop drinking alcohol.
“And I was having such fun but then I realized I was in big, big trouble ’cause I couldn’t remember anything and I was driving a car, drunk out of my skull,” said Hopkins, who has looked back at the milestone in past years.
Hopkins has previously opened up about the moment he “stopped drinking abruptly” on Dec. 29, 1975 when he “found himself in Arizona with no idea how he’d arrived,” The Guardian reported in a 1998 profile on the actor.
The actor, while recalling the moment in a 2009 story for WalesOnline, said he heard a voice inside of him say, “It’s all over, you can start living.”
Hopkins, in his video on Instagram, said he realized on that “fateful day” that he “needed help.”
He then joined an Alcoholics Anonymous group and later revealed that he pledged “never to return” to alcohol after a woman in the group asked him, “Why don’t you just trust in God?”
The actor — who captioned the video, “One day at a time. 49 years. Life is in session. 🎉” — declared that he’s had “more fun these 49 years than ever.”
He added that having fun is “wonderful” and having “a drink is fine” before reminding those who spot a problem with their alcohol consumption that there’s help available for them.
“It’s not a terrible deal — it’s a condition if you’re allergic to alcohol. Get some help. There’s plenty of help around,” Hopkins said.
“One thing I didn’t realize, I was not unique. There are thousands of people around like me. Anyway, I got sober and, it sounds a dull word, but I’ve had a wonderful life. They still employ me, they still give me jobs. I’m going to be 87 in two day’s time. So I’m celebrating my long life, unexpectedly long life.”
We Need Your Support
Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.
Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.
Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.
Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.
You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.
Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
Need help with substance use disorder or mental health issues? In the U.S., call 800-662-HELP (4357) for the SAMHSA National Helpline.
)
English (US) ·