Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins, a two-time Academy Award-winning Welsh actor, shared revelations about his troubled first marriage in his memoir We Did Ok, Kid, released on November 4, 2025. Known for his role in The Silence of the Lambs, Hopkins offers insight into his distinguished career, personal struggles, and relationships.
Hopkins married British actress Petronella Barker in September 1967. Reflecting on this period, he called their union "the worst two years of my life." He attributed the breakdown to conflicting personalities and his battle with alcoholism.
"What followed were the worst two years of my life."
By the time he recognized their incompatibility, Petronella was already pregnant with their first child.
Petronella Barker, daughter of actress Pearl Hackney and comedian Eric Barker, built her career in film and television, appearing in productions such as Othello, A Flea in Her Ear, The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes, and Miss Nightingale. She was 24 years old when she married Hopkins.
The couple separated in 1972 after a turbulent marriage marked by their differences and Hopkins' personal challenges.
Author's summary: Anthony Hopkins candidly reflects on his difficult first marriage and personal struggles, shedding new light on the man behind the iconic roles.