Updated for this paperback edition, Callan reveals the full story of Hopkins's early years, from his childhood in Wales to his successes at the National Theatre and the break-up of his marriage to his move to Hollywood. Battling with insecurity and alcoholism, his career reached its lowest ebb in 1975 until his new-found maturity and a string of classic parts in films such as The Silence of the Lambs and Howards End earned him respect and growing fame. The life of Anthony Hopkins is traced by the author, with the co-operation of many of Hopkins's friends, family and fellow actors.