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Anthony Hopkins on Hollywood: Preparation is Key
16 May
Summary
- Hopkins emphasized acting as a craft requiring discipline and preparation.
- He criticized co-stars arriving late and unprepared.
- Hopkins' comments highlight a 1970s Hollywood divide in acting styles.

Anthony Hopkins, a renowned actor with a distinguished career spanning decades, has emphasized the paramount importance of preparation and discipline in the acting profession. His early career experiences, particularly from the 1970s, shaped his views on professionalism.
During the filming of "The Girl from Petrovka" in 1974, Hopkins expressed frustration with a co-star, Goldie Hawn, who he felt arrived late and unprepared. He argued that actors must master their craft, asserting that lateness and a lack of preparedness were unacceptable, especially given substantial salaries.
Hopkins' perspective was influenced by his classical theatre background, where rigorous preparation was non-negotiable. This view often contrasted with the more intuitive or comedy-focused approaches prevalent among some Hollywood stars of that era, including those emerging from television.
The actor's comments also highlighted a division within 1970s Hollywood, where performers from traditional stage disciplines sometimes clashed with those from television or a more instinctive acting school.