Anthony Hopkins reveals near-death experience 49 years ago which turned his life upside down

Anthony Hopkins marked nearly five decades of sobriety on social media on Sunday and opened up to his fans about what made him change his life.

The two-time Oscar winner, who turns 87 on Tuesday, said further Instagram that a 1975 incident convinced him to quit drinking, noting, “Forty-nine years ago today I quit.”

The iconic Welsh actor admitted he was ‘having so much fun’ until he ‘realised’ he was ‘in big, big trouble’ because he ‘couldn’t remember anything’ and was ‘driving a car drunk’. [his] skull.’

Hopkins, known for playing the role of Dr. Hannibal Lecter in several films, said the near-tragedy led him to seek support to deal with his alcohol addiction.

“Then, on that fateful day, I realized I needed help – so I got it,” the Nixon actor said. ‘I called a group of people like me: alcoholics. And that was it: sober. Anyway, I’ve had more fun than ever these 49 years.’

Hopkins told more than 5.3 million followers that help is available for those looking for it.

Anthony Hopkins, 86, marked nearly five decades of sobriety on social media on Sunday and treated his fans to a story about what led him to turn his life around

“If you have a problem – having fun is great, having a drink is fine – but if you have a problem with the booze, there is help,” Hopkins said. ‘It’s not a terrible deal – it’s a condition if you’re allergic to alcohol, get help, there’s plenty of help around.

‘I didn’t realize one thing: I wasn’t unique. There are thousands of people like me. Anyway, I got sober and it sounds like a boring word, but I’ve had a great life.”

He added: They still employ me, they still give me jobs. In two days I will be 87.’

The actor captioned the clip: “One day at a time. 49 years. Life has begun.’

Hopkins ended by saying, “So I’m celebrating my long life – an unexpected long life.”

He added: “So if you have a problem, you know where to go. Call that an intergroup, 12-step program, whatever you can do – because it’s a killer -, Happy New Year!’

Hopkins has had a busy year professionally, amid a number of professional endeavors.

He provided the voice of Jimmy in the Zack Snyder film Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, which debuted on Netflix in April; and played the role of Vespasian in the ten-episode Peacock series, Those About to Die, which debuted in July.

The actor was pictured in 1975, the year he says he confronted his alcoholism problems

Hopkins told more than 5.3 million followers that help is available for those looking for it

Earlier this month, he played the role of Herod in the Netflix drama Mary opposite Noa Cohen.

Hopkins won his first Academy Award for his portrayal of Lecter in 1991’s The Silence of the Lambs.

The film also won Best Picture, Best Actress for Jodie Foster and Best Director for the late Jonathan Demme at the 1992 Oscars, among others.

He reprized the role in 2001’s Hannibal opposite Julianne Moore, and in 2002’s Red Dragon opposite Edward Norton.

Hopkins won his second Best Actor Oscar for 2021’s The Father opposite Olivia Colman for filmmaker Florian Zeller.