Anthony Hopkins

I have no interest in Shakespeare and all that British nonsense... I just wanted to get famous and all the rest is hogwash. ”

I was bullied as a boy - lots of kids are, but hopefully most of us get on with our lives and grow up. ”

I was lousy in school. Real screwed-up. A moron. I was antisocial and didn't bother with the other kids. A really bad student. I didn't have any brains. I didn't know what I was doing there. That's why I became an actor. ”

Once you begin to fall off the track and believe you breathe different air to everyone else, you're doomed; you're finished. ”

I always had a knack for improvisation. I can write down the notes I play, but never really had a proper academic musical background. I suppose I'm blessed and cursed by the fact I have that freedom. ”

I couldn't say I ever dreamt of becoming a composer, a pianist, or anything else for that matter. I have the kind of brain where nothing is set in stone. ”

The knighthood was a tremendous honour, I don't dismiss it. But I feel embarrassed by the flowery, theatrical stuff that goes with being an actor. ”

I don't believe in nepotism. I don't much like the idea of parents who interfere. ”

I don't like freeloaders; I don't like people who are negative. ”

My father wasn't a cruel man. And I loved him. But he was a pretty tough character. His own father was even tougher - one of those Victorians, hard as iron - but my dad was tough enough. ”