Anthony Hopkins Celebrates 50 Years of Sobriety: ‘Choose Life Instead of the Opposite’

For years, the Welsh actor has candidly spoken about his road to sobriety in hopes of helping others along the way.

Anthony Hopkins attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, Calif., on March 27, 2022. David Livingston/Getty Images

Oscar-winning actor Anthony Hopkins is going into the New Year celebrating a major milestone: 50 years of sobriety, while looking back on the frightening moment that changed his life forever.

Hopkins, who turned 88 on New Year’s Eve, took to social media to extend his well-wishes to followers during the holiday and reflect on his sobriety journey.

“Here we are, another happy new year coming up. Lots of cheer, lots of fun, and all that. So really have a great time,” he said in an Instagram reel on Dec. 29. “Congratulations on reaching another year, to all of you.”

“My only problem was I had too good a time because 50 years ago today I was nearly killed by driving my car in a drunken blackout. That’s the way it was. But I realized at that point that I was having too much fun. It was called alcoholism.”Anthony Hopkins attends the 94th Annual Academy Awards in Hollywood, Calif., on March 27, 2022. (David Livingston/Getty Images)

In his memoir “We Did OK, Kid,” released in October 2025, the “Silence of the Lambs” star went into detail about the incident, describing one night in 1975 when he drove nonstop from Arizona to Beverly Hills without recollection.

The realization that he could’ve killed someone, combined with personal loss in a failed first marriage and losing a relationship with his only child, led Hopkins to change the trajectory of his life.

“So anyone out there who’s got a little problem with having too much, check it out because life is much better,” he continued in his Instagram post. “So I stopped. Without bragging, I got help, and 50 years ago today was the end.”

For years, the Welsh actor, who rose to fame following the 1968 historical drama “The Lion in Winter,” has candidly spoken about his road to sobriety in hopes of helping others along the way.

At the time, he was able to seek treatment through Alcoholics Anonymous and continues to attend meetings through its 12-step program even today. Further, Hopkins credits focusing on his craft and discipline as the foundation for his recovery.

His dedication is reflected through his 157 acting credits, including 132 total award nominations and 74 accolade wins. Hopkins won two Academy Awards, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in 2021 for “The Father” and the same nod in 1992 for “The Silence of the Lambs.” 

“Choose life instead of the opposite. Life life life and more life. I’m also going to be 88 in two days. So maybe I did something right, I don’t know,” he concluded. “Happy New Year and happy life!”