Anthony Hopkins Admitted These Two Movies Almost Caused Him to Quit Acting

Anthony Hopkins is widely considered one of the greatest actors in cinematic history. From his chilling portrayal of Hannibal Lecter to his heartbreaking performance in The Father, his career seems like an unstoppable force of talent. However, the legendary star once reached a breaking point where he nearly walked away from Hollywood entirely.

Despite his immense success, Hopkins hit a period of severe disillusionment in the late 1990s. He revealed that the profession he had dedicated his life to had begun to feel meaningless. During this dark time, he viewed acting as a “disturbing, repulsive, futile, and wasteful life.”

The specific projects that pushed him to this edge were the 1998 fantasy romance Meet Joe Black and the 1999 historical tragedy Titus. While both films have their fans today, the experience of making them left Hopkins feeling drained and disconnected. He struggled to find fulfillment in the work, leading him to seriously contemplate retirement.

At that moment, it seemed highly likely that the screen icon would turn his back on the industry for good. The feeling of wasting his life on sets became overwhelming, and the joy of performance had vanished.

Fortunately for cinema lovers, this sentiment did not last forever. Hopkins eventually found his passion again, continuing to work on major projects like the Thor franchise and winning a second Oscar in his eighties. His resilience allowed him to leave a legacy that extends far beyond those difficult years.

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