Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard
Guest: Sir Anthony Hopkins
Release Date: November 10, 2025
Episode Overview
This remarkable episode welcomes Sir Anthony Hopkins, legendary Academy Award-winning actor, as he and host Dax Shepard embark on a vulnerable, wide-ranging, and deeply personal conversation. The discussion centers around Hopkins' newly released memoir We Did Okay, Kid, delving into his challenging childhood, struggles with self-worth, unlikely path to acting stardom, and nearly 50 years of sobriety. Hopkins reflects on the messiness of being human—from feeling like an outsider to finding meaning in both creative pursuits and recovery. For listeners, it’s a profound exploration of resilience, acceptance, and the beauty of growing older with self-compassion and humor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Memory, “Let Them,” and Acceptance
[03:28–05:31]
- Hopkins demonstrates his razor-sharp memory, recalling vivid dates and details, even names of childhood acquaintances from distant auditions.
- Dax: “We’ve met a lot of good memories. This one is like off the charts. Needs to be studied perhaps.” [00:49]
- The group discusses the viral “let them” philosophy—accepting the actions of others, not trying to control people, places or things.
- Hopkins: “Don’t fight, don’t fight. There’s a wonderful quote by some Greek philosopher ... Accept [problems]. When you look in the mirror, behind you is death. That sums up.” [04:04]
- Dax (on recovery): “People, places and things. I’m powerless... The let me part is the fourth step. It’s, ‘What am I doing in this scenario?’”
Sobriety and Recovery Journey
[05:02–05:35]
- Hopkins shares that he will soon celebrate 50 years sober, sobering up on December 29, 1975.
- Hopkins: “Coming up on 50 years... I knew I was in big trouble. I checked in at an inter group in Westwood... The voice said, it’s all over now. You can start living.” [05:02]
- He credits his wife Stella as a catalyst for writing his memoir, and notes he was hesitant, skeptical people would want to read about his life.
- Hopkins: “My wife Stella encouraged me to do it... I have one of those weird memories... I started writing... I thought, my life has been beyond my explanation.” [05:35]
- Cites Edgar Allan Poe’s reflection: “If we think about it, our lives have been written by some other author.” [06:17]
Early Life: Disconnection, Outsider Status, and Motivation
[07:26–10:57]
- Hopkins felt mostly disconnected, labeled a “dunce,” and was made fun of at school. He recalls a pivotal moment when his father despaired over his failing report card:
- Hopkins: “He said, I know what’s gonna happen to you. It’s hopeless. I mean, what’s the matter with you? Do you care? ... It was so clear. It was like I took a step back and I said, one day, I’ll show you. I’ll show both of you.” [08:12]
- Received children’s encyclopedia as a gift—kindled his curiosity, offsetting his school struggles.
Survival, Resilience & Reframing the Narrative
[09:17–11:19]
- Despite hardship, Hopkins now sees his perceived “deficits” as fuel:
- Hopkins: “All my debits inside me were the greatest power I could have had because it made me angry and all that... But now I have no room for all that anger.” [09:17]
- On consciously playing dumb as self-protection and the pain of bullies: “Kids are vicious. That’s a form of defense. Because life is rough for everyone.” [11:54]
- He reflects on his WWII childhood in Wales and the formative impact of global conflict.
Fortuitous Breaks and the Role of Mentorship
[16:31–23:19]
- Hopkins describes his reluctant participation in a YMCA Easter play (“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” [17:40]), his first taste of performance validation.
- Through friendships and chance, he was introduced as a boy to Richard Burton—a moment that foretold future career milestones and connections.
- Accepted into the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama on scholarship, despite mediocre academic records, surprising himself and his family.
Solitude, Asperger’s, and Identity
[24:21–25:02]
- Hopkins discusses being diagnosed with Asperger’s late in life, but shrugs off labels.
- Hopkins: “I don’t know what I believe... I don’t know what the hell they’re talking about. I just feel like everyone else, confused as we all are. Just human.” [24:29]
- He never felt lonely in his solitude: “I just felt uniquely myself. I didn’t need anyone. I never wanted to be part of anything.” [24:14]
Acting: Process, Craft, and Mentorship by Greats
[31:05–36:40]
- Hopkins humorously recounts his audition for Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and then meeting Laurence Olivier as a National Theatre auditionee.
- Olivier’s advice: “Nerves is vanity. You’re worried about what the audience will think.”
- Hopkins: “You may make a mistake. Who cares? It is important, but it’s not important. ... No one cares.” [34:47]
- Shares the dichotomy of caring deeply about the work and, over time, learning to be dispassionate and not take it or oneself too seriously.
Working with Luminaries & Major Roles
[38:08–41:21]
- On recurring collaborations with Richard Attenborough and Jonathan Demme’s casting of him in The Silence of the Lambs:
- Demme: “There’s something in you... I think you can do it.” Hopkins, inspired, plays Lecter “like HAL the computer in 2001.”
- The famous glass cell scene: “I said, no, I’d like to stand. Stand in the middle of the cell. I said I can smell it coming down the corner.” [40:36]
- His take: “You know what you look like to me with your good bag and your cheap shoes? You look like a rube. Well scrubbed, hustling rube with little taste...” [41:04]
- Dax notes how Hopkins’ version of Lecter is both “the right mix of charming, too. Terrifying devil.” [41:06]
Recovery, Happiness, and Advice for Others
[42:11–50:41]
- Honest discussion of active alcoholism: “I drank a lot. Booze works very quickly...a false courage.”
- Sobriety advice from fellow actor Jack Bailey: "Don’t take the first drink, that’s all you have to do... Live your life. Enjoy it. ... This is what it’s for." [43:20]
- On being a famous person in recovery: "That doesn’t bother me. I’m just a drunk like all the rest of them. ... I will never preach." [44:15]
- Never felt a craving after getting sober; continues to be fine around alcohol.
- Moving realization while working with Ian McKellen: "Lack of belonging was all in my imagination and all in my vanity." [45:37]
- Hopkins’ advice for outsiders & struggling youth:
"Believe in yourself totally. Even though you may think it’s a lie. ... Don’t let other people put you down." [50:06]
Creative Pursuits: Music and Art
[47:04–49:56]
- Hopkins actively composes music, improvises and records at Abbey Road, finds profound satisfaction in creating outside of acting.
- Also paints—works quickly to maintain spontaneity, encouraged by Stella.
- Hopkins: "Too many choices, you get fat and lazy. Just do it fast. If you make a mistake... go over it." [49:51]
Book and Closing Reflections
[51:10–51:54]
- Hopkins describes cover photo for memoir—standing with his father as a lost, “hopeless” kid in wartime Wales:
"Lost little kid. Like we all are, feeling hopeless or lost, you know. And I look at that, I think we did okay, kid." [51:20] - Dax underscores the memoir’s message: "For anyone listening who has a young son who is seemingly directionless... I hope this is so hopeful for them." [49:56]
Notable Quotes
- Anthony Hopkins: "All my debits inside me were the greatest power I could have had because it made me angry... But now I have no room for all that anger." [09:17]
- Anthony Hopkins (on solitude): "I just felt uniquely myself. I didn’t need anyone. I never wanted to be part of anything." [24:14]
- Dax Shepard: "I don’t learn from people’s successes. I kind of learn from people’s failures—mine and others’—it’s very helpful when I find out people I admire had a rough start..." [06:28]
- Anthony Hopkins (on playing Hannibal Lecter): "I said, I know exactly what I’m going to do—like HAL the computer in 2001." [39:17]
- Anthony Hopkins (to outsiders): "Believe in yourself totally. Even though you may think it’s a lie. ... Don’t let other people put you down." [50:06]
- Anthony Hopkins (on luck): "I just fell on my feet. It’s like a cat with nine lives. ... I survived, I think, because I isolated in a way—don’t let them get you. ... That’s how I played my whole life." [23:55]
Timestamps for Segments
- [03:28] Start of Anthony Hopkins interview
- [05:02] 50 Years Sober
- [07:26] Childhood struggles and being called a "dunce"
- [13:20] WWII memories in Wales
- [16:31] Introduction to acting at the YMCA
- [19:07] First encounters with Richard Burton
- [21:12] Auditioning for drama school; winning a scholarship
- [24:21] On Asperger’s, solitude, and identity
- [31:05] Audition at Royal Academy; joining National Theatre
- [34:47] Olivier’s advice: “Nerves is vanity”
- [38:08] Collaborating with Attenborough; Demme on casting Lecter
- [40:36] The iconic Lecter cell scene
- [42:11] Honest reflections on alcoholism and recovery
- [47:04] Music and painting as creative pursuits
- [49:56] Advice for young outsiders
- [51:20] Memoir cover story and final reflections
Tone and Language
The conversation is candid, often self-deprecating, laced with humor, and at times deeply philosophical. Hopkins provides brisk British wit, unsentimental honesty, and humility, while Dax fosters reflection and connection through his own vulnerability and empathy. Monica Padman brings perspective and curiosity, ensuring the dialogue remains both accessible and intimate.
Conclusion
This episode is a masterclass in vulnerability, resilience, and creative tenacity, suitable for anyone grappling with self-doubt or the belief that it’s too late—or too unlikely—to “do okay.” Hopkins’ story stands as living proof that being an outsider, surviving failures, and embracing the long journey are the stuff of not just good memoirs, but of great living.