HOPKINS ANTHONY: (1937- ) Welsh Actor, Academy Award winner. A revealing T.L.S., Tony, two pages, 8vo, Beverly Hills, California, n.d. (2nd January 1977), to Eric Harrison ('Dear Bloss'), on his personal printed stationery. Hopkins announces 'I hope Bob Shaw gets himself sorted out' and continues 'Tell him that if he wants to phone me, he can, anytime, that is if he really wants help. He has to want to stop drinking; no one can stop drinking for him. If he wants help, then I and many other people can and will do anything to help - it costs nothing and the only requirement for membership in AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) is a deep desire to stop drinking. It is impossible to stop on one's own, if alcoholic that is. It's not a question of strength or weakness of will. Alcoholism is a disease of mind and body….'. Hopkins further writes of his own life and work, 'I've had the best year of my life. I have peace of mind and contentment. That's all I want. No more fucking wars and battles. All that shit is over. I am not vegetating. I came to California and got my ass saved out here with AA. We've bought a house, and we love it out here….this is where I intend to stay for a long time. When a play turns up (if it is good, that is) then I will do a play. But I'm not coming back to New York to work in restaurants or drive cabs between jobs. Peter Hall said “get back to the Theatre” like it is some Holy temple. For what?? Plays like “Equus” turn up once in five or maybe ten years. I was lucky. But I've done it and it's over with…..My life and my peace of mind are more important than the holy altar of talent. There are many brilliant and talented people around this very moment who are sick inside. I'm very talented, but I'm getting well inside….I've stopped running scared. No one is going to spook me again. I was really sick and insane. Fighting people. Fucking up in work….But I'm not scared any more. I'm doing one film in March or April. I've made myself a promise: to do one film a year and the rest of the time is mine.' In concluding Hopkins asks for his love to be sent to various mutual friends, including the playwright Peter Shaffer, and also briefly refers to Welsh actor Richard Burton. Accompanied by the original envelope hand addressed by Hopkins. A letter of excellent content. About EX

Eric Harrison - Set Dresser and Costume Supervisor who worked in theatres both in London and New York.

Robert Shaw (1927-1978) English Actor. Shaw died of a heart attack at the age of 51 in the year following the present letter.

Hopkins, a recovering alcoholic, stopped drinking on 25th December 1975. The actor had been encouraged and influenced in his early stage career by his Welsh compatriot Richard Burton, also an alcoholic, whom he briefly refers to in the present letter.