‘Anger and revenge’: Anthony Hopkins on how being bullied at school spurred him on

Veteran actor Anthony Hopkins has revealed that his experiences with bullying during his school years significantly influenced his personal development and subsequent career path. He openly discussed how the taunts and challenges he faced as a youth instilled in him a potent mix of anger and a profound desire for retribution. This difficult period, according to Hopkins, led him to adopt a distinctive coping strategy, describing himself as having become a “cold fish.” He explained that this emotional detachment and tendency to withdraw into himself served as a vital defence mechanism, a way to shield himself from the ongoing pressures and emotional wounds inflicted by his peers. Ultimately, these formative experiences, marked by adversity and the need for self-preservation, played a crucial role in motivating and propelling him forward in his life and professional endeavors.