The actor thanked the Academy for the award with a video from his native Wales.
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| [Anthony Hopkins/Wikimedia] |
Anthony Hopkins won Best Actor for The Father at the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday night, April 25. The actor was not in attendance to accept the honor. Despite this, he posted a video from his native Wales and expressed gratitude to the Academy for the honor. He also paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman, the late actor.
"I did not intend to receive this award at the age of 83. I honestly didn't think so. I owe the Academy a debt of gratitude. Thank you so much. I'd like to honor Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us way too soon. And, once again, thank you very much. I really did not expect this, and I am incredibly grateful and honored "he said.
Hopkins' representative gave the following statement to People: "Tony was in Wales, where he grew up, and when I woke him up at 4 a.m. to tell him the news, he was sound asleep. He was overjoyed and thankful." Hopkins was nominated alongside Riz Ahmed, Boseman, Gary Oldman, and Steven Yeun for Sound of Metal, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, Mank, and Minari.
Many people expected that Boseman would win the Oscar this year. The order of the awards was also altered, with the Best Actor award being announced last. When the results were revealed, however, disappointed fans took to Twitter to share their displeasure.
"Anthony Hopkins is faultless. The Father is a class act with a brilliant score. He, Boseman, and Ahmed were all in a tight race for my vote. The fault lies with the Oscar executives, who, in the name of ratings, made the loss of an icon even more painful for those who were looking forward to his honor "a fan wrote on Twitter.
Hopkins has now won an Academy Award for the second time in his career. The actor had previously been recognized for his legendary role in The Silence of the Lambs, for which he had received an award. Hopkins has made history by being the oldest actor to receive an Academy Award.
