Anthony Hopkins explains the reason he missed the surprise Oscar win at this year’s ceremony for his marvelous performance on The Father.
Sir Anthony Hopkins gained notoriety at this year’s Academy Awards not only for his Best Actor win for The Father (2020) but also for failing to appear to accept his accolade.
As the Oscars experimented with a new broadcast sequence this year, revealing Best Film before the two leading performer categories, Hopkins’ absence ensured the evening finished on an unusual note.
Watch: Anthony Hopkins Wins Best Actor | 93rd Oscars
While his success surprised both Hopkins, fans, and bookmakers, who had favored Chadwick Boseman‘s effort in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020), the legendary actor has now confessed that he skipped the event because he didn’t believe he had any chance of a victory.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, Hopkins explained:
I wasn’t being cynical, I didn’t expect to get it, at all. The main contender was Chadwick Boseman, so I went to bed.
The Silence of the Lambs star was in Wales at the time, several hours ahead of the event in Los Angeles, so you can’t blame him for wanting to get a good night’s sleep.
He added,
My phone went, and it was a text from my agent saying, ‘You’ve won the Oscar.’ It was about 5 o’clock in the morning, I couldn’t believe it.
The 83-year-old continued,
I really couldn’t believe it, I didn’t expect it. The next morning I made a little speech of thanks to the Academy and a tribute to Chadwick Boseman and I really didn’t expect such a… it was a shock!
In the clip posted to Instagram, Hopkins said:
I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman who was taken from us far too early, and again, thank you all very much. I really did not expect this, so I feel very privileged and honored. Thank you.
Prior to the ceremony, both Hopkins and Boseman were nominated for BAFTAs and Golden Globes, with Hopkins winning the former and Boseman winning the latter.
The Father released on 26th February 2021.
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Last modified: June 11, 2021
