Who Was Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, a Welsh actor and two-time Academy Award winner, shared intimate details of his early married life in his memoir We Did Ok, Kid, published on November 4, 2025. Renowned for roles such as in The Silence of the Lambs and Hannibal, Hopkins reflects on his career, personal struggles, and relationships.
Marriage to Petronella Barker
Hopkins married British actress Petronella Barker in September 1967. In his memoir, he described their union as turbulent, stating that it brought him "the worst two years of my life." He attributed the failure of their marriage to their "opposing personalities" and his own battle with alcoholism.
“What followed were the worst two years of my life.”
Hopkins realized they were ill-suited for each other too late, as Petronella was already expecting their first child. They eventually separated in 1972.
About Petronella Barker
Petronella Barker, daughter of actress Pearl Hackney and comedian Eric Barker, is a British actress known for her performances in productions like Othello, A Flea in Her Ear, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, and Miss Nightingale. She married Hopkins at age 24.
Summary
Anthony Hopkins' memoir reveals a difficult early marriage marked by personality clashes and addiction, providing insight into the personal challenges behind his celebrated career.