Who Was Anthony Hopkins
Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, a distinguished Welsh actor and two-time Academy Award winner, shared candid details about his turbulent first marriage to Petronella Barker in his memoir We Did Ok, Kid, published on November 4, 2025.
Early Life and Career
Renowned for his commanding performances in both theater and film, Hopkins has built a remarkable career that has spanned decades. His memoir explores not only his artistic journey but also his difficult upbringing and personal struggles with alcoholism.
Marriage to Petronella Barker
Anthony Hopkins married British actress Petronella Barker in September 1967. Barker, the daughter of actors Pearl Hackney and Eric Barker, gained recognition for her roles in films and television series such as Othello, A Flea in Her Ear, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, and Miss Nightingale. They tied the knot when Barker was just 24 years old.
“What followed were the worst two years of my life.”
Hopkins reflected on his marriage, attributing its collapse to their conflicting personalities and his issues with alcohol. By the time he recognized that they were not meant to be together, Barker was already expecting their first child. The couple divorced in 1972.
Legacy and Reflection
Hopkins’s memoir highlights the complexities of his personal life and how his early struggles shaped both the man and the actor he became. Through self-awareness and honesty, he revisits key turning points that defined his career and relationships.
Author’s Summary: The memoir of Sir Anthony Hopkins unveils his artistic mastery, inner battles, and the painful lessons from a marriage that deeply marked his early adulthood.