Anthony Hopkins doesn’t care about neglecting daughter
By Tribute on May 24, 2018 | 20 Comments
Is Anthony Hopkins a grandfather? He doesn’t know, and he doesn’t care.
In an interview with the Radio Times, while promoting his upcoming BBC adaption of King Lear, the 80-year old actor revealed he hasn’t spoken to his only child, daughter Abigail Hopkins, for nearly two decades. That’s not surprising, since when Abigail was a baby, he walked out on her and her mother.
Naturally, he has no interest in finding out whether he’s become a grandfather.
Hopkins shares Abigail with ex-wife Petronella Barker, whom he divorced in 1972 when Abigail was two or three. He then moved to Los Angeles in January 1973 with his second wife, Jennifer Lynton.
Abigail and her father briefly reconciled over 20 years later, in the 1990s, and she appeared in cameos in two of his films, but they have since lost contact again.
Hopkins said he has not seen his daughter in nearly 20 years and insists he doesn’t care whether she has children now.
“I don’t have any idea,” he told the Radio Times. “People break up. Families split and, you know, ‘Get on with your life.’ People make choices. I don’t care one way or the other.”
When told his comments came off as cold, Hopkins replied, “Well, it is cold. Because life is cold.”
The Silence of the Lambs star, who married for a third time, rarely gives comments about Abigail or his first marriage to Barker, but in 2002 he admitted, “I guess I am selfish. I have not been a good husband or father.”
Abigail has gone on to become a singer-songwriter, actress, and acting coach. In a 2006 interview with The Telegraph, she revealed she saw Hopkins when she was growing up, but only about once a year.
“There’s a little bit of sadness, but I have to get on with my life,” she said. “It has always been like that. See him, and then not.”
In the same interview, Abigail revealed she’d experimented with alcohol and drugs, due to depression.
“I came very close to killing myself,” Abigail said. “The root cause was the fact that my father and I had an intermittent relationship when I was young. I was angry and there was a lot of grieving going on.” ~Caitlyn Clancey
Mr. Hopkins should be ashamed of himself. He is living proof that money can’t buy class, morals or a conscience. You would think a man of his advanced years would be wanting to make some amens in his life. But it’s okay – one day he will be held accountable before God.
not quite the “gentleman” we thought he was…..
i used to love him but anymore it just seems like he’s showing us his true colors. not such a nice guy afterall i guess. great actor, terrible father.
What a selfish creep. I have a father like that. And being neglected doesn’t come without lifelong consequences, I can vouch for that. Children suffer when their parents don’t give a damn.
That’s it , use your stinking rich father to blame for your problems !!
Well Derek, my father isn’t stinking rich. But as I grew up fatherless, I realized that I don’t trust men, because men don’t care about anyone but themselves, which means I will remain single for life. I didn’t touch drugs or alcohol, but my life is vastly different from my friends, who have fathers who support them and show interest in them. I’m amazed when people have nice fathers, honestly. It also made me wonder what was wrong with me because my father didn’t give a rat’s ass about me. Made me think I was less than other people whose fathers did care. So tell me again, fatherless girls are blaming their fathers for their problems? How awful for their fathers.
Stacey don’t worry about Derek’s opinion – he’s just trying to start a fight. Just another angry man with “short man’s syndrome”…… looking to be a big man. You have the right to feel the way you do – I too had a terrible father – I just chalk it up to selfishness – which is just what I see in Anthony Hopkins. ….can’t be bothered – all that money and no heart. That’s okay – his day is coming.
He’s a good actor, but reading about his behaviour towards his daughter has made me lose all respect for him. Even going through wives like tissue! Seems like women don’t mean much to him unless they serve a purpose.
I am a father of 2 girls who are. I am a product of 2 divorces and lived in a military family so moved around a lot. No drugs ever. Rarely drink unless it’s in a social situation and even then it’s maybe 1 drink. I still keep in contact with friends from the bases I lived at etc. Life is also what you make of it. If you chose to experiment and came out of that stronger and with more realization that the parent is the one with the issue, not you, then good for you!
In this case, Anthony Hopkins is sounding pretty cold and cruel. But, I will try to look at it from his point of view and we have no idea why the falling out occured. None of us were there. But, he did admit he’s been a bad husband and father, so he does recognize that he has issues. There is a conscience in his heart. He’s 80 and lived his life, stared in some pretty great flicks and as an actor he’s great. As a parent he’s crappy and he knows it. I hope he leaves a really heartfelt apology in his will and leaves them a lot of $ since he can’t take it with him. It’s been over 30 years and he moved on and maybe he’s 90% healed. Some people deal with separation and whatever drama occured in different ways.
wow.. I meant father of 2 girls who are amazing and I will NEVER abandon them if my wife and I divorce. is what I meant to write in that sentence. And *starred, not stared*
At least he is being very honest. I respect that because people tend to lie about their choices. He made it very clear and very upfront about his feelings about his daughter. He admitted not being the fatherly type. I completely understand. I am not a motherly type and I made sure I didn’t have children. I don’t judge him. He is by far one of the best actors around. His work is what drives him.
We should be more respectful and not judge others from third hand information and without knowing the full story. That said, the personal lives of others is none of our business. I respectfully refuse to intrude on Sir Anthony Hopkins private life. I do like him as an actor.
Kevin – how chivalrous of you…… but …any man who denies his children is a cad. This “respectfully refuse to intrude on Sir Hopkins life” is another excuse for the bad behavior that people demonstrate. You must have some “forgotten” kids in your life….
we have no idea what happened between Hopkins & his daughter. maybe he tried and something on her side caused the falling out? either way, it’s none of my business. doesn’t affect his acting skills, which is the only thing about him that any of us actually know
Lorena, some people are not cut out to be parents, and to recognize that and not subject the child you have to cycles of abuse or neglect or whatever might not be honourable but it is probably for the best. If memory serves, Sir Anthony had quite the drinking problem throughout the 70s and into the 80s. That probably starts him well on the road to being a shitty parent, and if he was a mean drunk (and again I thunk I have read that he was) then not having a relationship with his daughter where she would be subjected to that while a child is the right thing to do for everyone.
Like or hate his comments, you have to admit they are at least refreshingly honest.
She’s probably better off without him in her life if he is like that.
He is responsible for his daughter as he sired her. Such a narcissist!
I will never watch a film of his again!
Shame.
Shame, he was one of my favorite actors. All the money in the world cant help some people. What a waste of opportunity and privilege. Seems he may be in denial. Coming off cold and harsh may be to mask his true feelings. I suspect a damaged person who knows they cant be fixed (or wont commit)as he admitted previously he hasn’t been a good father or husband.