Anthony Hopkins is quite literally a legend in the world of acting, having been performing since 1960. How much does he make per movie?
Anthony Hopkins has been collecting huge paydays since the earliest days of his career. He earned $10 million from his appearances in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, $300k per episode of Westworld, and around $50 million from the Hannibal franchise.
Read on to learn more about the legendary Welsh actor’s claim to monetary fame.
Half A Century In The Game
Sir Anthony Hopkins is a fully established and iconic legend when it comes to the film and television industry. His career stretches more than half a century, having started in 1960. From humble beginnings in Wales, Hopkins has grown to be instantly recognizable and critically acclaimed several times over.
Reportedly, Hopkins was always artistic, even as a child. He managed to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London when he was young. His love for performance grew over time, and when he was twenty-three, he took to the stage. Hopkins found his start in the industry in theater, working with Laurence Olivier.
Olivier himself was one of the industry’s leading names at the time. In his memoirs, he would later recall Hopkins. He explained that he had ‘exceptional promise’, even as a youth. This praise was mirrored by other industry peers as the years rolled on. Richard Attenborough once referred to Hopkins as “unquestionably the greatest actor of his generation.”
After brief appearances in BBC productions, Hopkins was able to flesh out his resumé on the big screen. His television debut came in 1967, and by the mid-seventies, he’d be appearing in large, full-production movies.
His talent, awards, and acting credits grew exponentially as the years wore on. He began acquiring leading roles, some of which cemented him in movie history. One of the changes to occur as Hopkins aged was the amount he was paid simply to act.
In 1991, Anthony Hopkins appeared in Silence of the Lambs. This movie would go down as one of the most adored cult classic psychological thrillers of all time. In 1998, Hopkins reprised his role as Hannibal Lecter, a cannibal doctor, for an incredible $15 million. It’s reported that he picked up a further $20 million in the franchise’s third release, Red Dragon.
You can see a clip of one of Hopkins’ most infamous scenes in the video below.
Making The Money
It wasn’t just with Hannibal that Hopkins scored big. His time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the Allfather, Odin, earned him a reported $10 million. This is sizable, considering he was just a supporting character. His appearances in the Thor movies fleshed out his net worth considerably.
In 2010, Hopkins allegedly earned $15 million for one standalone film: The Wolfman. This isn’t too common, as actors traditionally earn more when they reprise an established character or act in a franchise. However, Hopkins took home a fantastic salary for this movie, which was a remake of a 1941 classic.
Throughout his acting career, Hopkins has landed some extremely prestigious roles. His filmography is incredible, and extensive, almost beyond recollection. He’s quite simply starred in a staggering number of productions, on film, stage, and television.
While a versatile actor, Hopkins has tended to gravitate toward the dramatic, grittier roles. However, he does have a penchant for light-hearted comedy from time to time. His filmography boasts the likes of Shakespearian characters, doctors, professors, and military generals. At one point, he even assumed the role of Adolf Hitler.
Before negotiations altered the fact, Hopkins was one of the highest-paid stars in HBO’s Westworld. The sci-fi show netted Hopkins an awesome $175k per episode, a massive amount for any actor.
In 1987, Anthony Hopkins was knighted by the Queen, Elizabeth II. It was the highest form of recognition for his achievements in arts and entertainment. He is one of just a few dozen actors to ever receive the knighthood for his work. Among the list are the likes of Laurence Olivier, Ian McKellen, Sean Connery, and Charlie Chaplin.
Away from the screen, Hopkins is a keen philanthropist. He’s donated millions of dollars to the preservation of natural areas in his home country of Wales. He’s also supported institutes and organizations in his local home area in Wales for decades. These include the likes of the YMCA and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.