Veteran Welsh actor Anthony Hopkins has sent out support to those struggling with addiction, sharing a message about his 47 years of sobriety. The 84-year-old actor, star of The Father, Silence of the Lambs and Remains of the Day, will celebrate his 85th birthday on New Year's Eve and shared the positive message to his four million plus followers on Instagram and Twitter.
The Oscar-winner said: "I just want to wish you a happy new year, and also to say I'm celebrating 47 years today of sobriety I am a recovering alcoholic, and to you out there, know that there are people struggling... Be kind to yourself, be proud of your life."
He urged others in a similar situation, and those dealing with depression and anxiety, to seek help and also be kind and proud of themselves. And while he added he's not a 'do-gooder' he has the best life he could ever imagine.
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Hopkins, who became the oldest ever Academy Award winner in 2021 for his role in The Father, continued: "This is a message that's not meant to be heavy but I hope helpful. I am a recovering alcoholic and to you out there, in this day and age of cancel and hatred and non-compromise and children being bullied, be kind to yourself.
"Stay out of the circle of toxicity with people if they offend you. Live your life. 47 years ago I was in a desperate situation of despair."
Hollywood stars posted their reactions in the comments, including Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman and supermodel Naomi Campbell, who herself has been sober since 2008 and called Hopkins a 'shining beacon of light' and an inspiration in her own 'journey in recovery.'
Hopkins previously said he had a wake-up call after almost drinking himself to death, saying: "45 years ago today, I had a wake up call. I was heading for disaster, drinking myself to death. I'm not preachy, but I got a message, a little thought that said: 'Do you want to live or die'? And I said I wanted to live."
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