Michael Brooks
In an interview with the Catholic Herald, Jonathan Pryce and Anthony Hopkins discussed their film The Two Popes, a fictionalized account of a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and the future Pope Francis. Pryce, who was raised Welsh Presbyterian, and Hopkins, who did not grow up with religion, spoke about the spiritual impact of the film and their hopes that it would provide food for thought and leave audiences feeling better about themselves and their fellow humans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Anthony Hopkins' spirituality | Complicated matter |
| Anthony Hopkins' parents' religious beliefs | Father was an atheist, mother was agnostic |
| Anthony Hopkins' religion | Not Catholic |
| Jonathan Pryce's religion | Catholic |
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What You'll Learn
Jonathan Pryce's early life and career
Sir Jonathan Pryce, born John Price on June 1, 1947, is a Welsh actor known for his performances in film, television, and on stage. He has received numerous awards, including two Tony Awards and two Laurence Olivier Awards, as well as nominations for an Academy Award, three BAFTA Awards, and five Emmy Awards. Pryce was honored with a knighthood for his services to drama in 2021.
Pryce studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), graduating in 1971 with a diploma in acting. While at RADA, he also worked as a door-to-door salesman of velvet paintings. After graduating, he joined the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool and eventually became its artistic director. He also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Nottingham Playhouse.
Pryce made his first screen appearance in a minor role in the science fiction drama series "Doomwatch" in 1972. He gained particular notice for his performance as the successful but self-doubting writer Trigorin in a London production of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull" in 1985. From 1986 to 1987, he played the lead part in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of "Macbeth." Pryce also worked with director Terry Gilliam on several films, including "The Adventures of Baron Munchausen" (1988) and "The Brothers Grimm" (2005).
In the early 2000s, Pryce found newfound fame with roles in the "'Pirates of the Caribbean' franchise and the HBO series "Game of Thrones." He has since appeared in numerous other films and television series, including "The Wife" (2017), "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" (2018), and "Taboo" (2017). He has also continued to perform on stage, earning a Tony Award nomination for his role in the Broadway musical "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" in 2006.
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Anthony Hopkins' early life and career
Born on 31 December 1937 in Margam, Port Talbot, West Glamorgan, Wales, Sir Philip Anthony Hopkins is considered one of Britain's most recognisable and prolific actors. He is known for his performances on both stage and screen.
Hopkins began acting at age 18 when he joined a YMCA dramatic club. He received a scholarship to the Cardiff College of Music and Drama (now the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama), and he toured with the Arts Council as a stage manager and actor after his graduation. He then spent two years with the Royal Artillery. Upon his demobilization, he resumed his acting career, making his professional debut in 1960.
In 1965, he moved to London and joined the National Theatre at the invitation of Laurence Olivier, who could see his talent. In 1967, he made his first film for television, "A Flea in Her Ear". From this moment on, he enjoyed a successful career in cinema and television. In 1968, he worked on ""The Lion in Winter" with Timothy Dalton, and his remarkable acting style reached the four corners of the world.
Hopkins won an Emmy Award for his role as Bruno Richard Hauptmann in "The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case" (1976). Throughout the 1980s, he continued to impress critics with his work in film and TV, winning multiple Emmy Awards and a BAFTA Award. In 1989, he returned to the stage for a production of the musical drama "M. Butterfly".
In 1991, Hopkins, now well into his fifties, finally found himself shot to superstardom with his iconic role as serial killer Hannibal Lecter in "The Silence of the Lambs". He won an Oscar and a BAFTA for this role. He followed this up with "The Remains of the Day" (1993), for which he was nominated for another Academy Award. He would be nominated again for "Nixon" (1995) and "Amistad" (1997).
Hopkins has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Laurence Olivier Award. He has also received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2005 and the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime achievement in 2008. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his services to drama in 1993 and was named among the 100 Welsh Heroes in a Welsh poll in 2004.
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The Two Popes: acclaim and synopsis
The Two Popes is a 2019 biographical drama film directed by Fernando Meirelles and written by Anthony McCarten. The film premiered at the Telluride Film Festival on 31 August 2019 and began streaming on Netflix on 20 December 2019. It is adapted from McCarten's play 'The Pope', which premiered at the Royal & Derngate Theatre in 2019.
The film is predominantly set in Vatican City and follows the relationship between Pope Benedict XVI, played by Anthony Hopkins, and Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, played by Jonathan Pryce. The story is set against the backdrop of the Vatican leaks scandal, exploring the ideological differences and evolving dynamics within the Catholic Church. It delves into the personal and ideological complexities of the two religious leaders, highlighting their theological debates and temperamental differences.
The film received widespread acclaim, with critics praising the performances of Hopkins and Pryce, as well as the film's thoughtful examination of faith and leadership. It garnered nominations for Best Actor (Pryce), Best Supporting Actor (Hopkins), and Best Adapted Screenplay at the 92nd Academy Awards. The film holds an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a Metascore of 75 on Metacritic.
While the movie is inspired by true events, much of it is fictional. It offers a creative imagining of what might have taken place between Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal Bergoglio, the future Pope Francis, during a pivotal moment in the Catholic Church. The film shines a light on the loneliness of being pope and how the weight of leadership affected both men. It also explores themes of forgiveness and mercy, as the two men confront their pasts and strive to find common ground.
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Anthony Hopkins' philanthropy
While Anthony Hopkins was not raised in a religious household, he is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has supported various charities and appeals, including the National Trust's Snowdonia Appeal, for which he served as president and donated £1 million. He also contributed to the refurbishment of a £2.3 million wing at his alma mater, the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, which was named the Anthony Hopkins Centre.
Hopkins is a prominent member of the environmental protection group Greenpeace and has supported other environmental causes, such as voicing concerns about whaling in Japan. He has been recognised for his contributions to Wales, including his support for various Welsh charities and organisations. In 2004, he was named among the 100 Welsh Heroes in a Welsh poll.
In addition to his environmental advocacy, Hopkins has been a patron of the YMCA centre in his hometown of Port Talbot, South Wales, for over 20 years. He has also been involved in supporting individuals with addictions, serving as a patron of the Rehabilitation for Addicted Prisoners Trust (RAPt) and helping to open their first intensive drug and alcohol rehabilitation unit at Downview Prison in Surrey, England.
Hopkins has also supported other charitable causes, such as donating his landscape paintings to the San Antonio library's literacy program and contributing music he composed for a fundraiser for the San Antonio Symphony. He has been recognised for his contributions to the entertainment industry, receiving numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, four BAFTA Awards, and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
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Jonathan Pryce's theatre career
Jonathan Pryce is a Welsh actor known for his performances on stage and screen. He began his career as a stage actor in the 1970s after graduating from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1971. He joined the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, eventually becoming its artistic director. He also performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Nottingham Playhouse.
Pryce made his Broadway debut in October 1976 with Trevor Griffiths' Comedians, winning his first Tony Award in 1977 for Best Featured Actor in a Play. He won his second Tony Award in 1991 for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in the Broadway transfer of Miss Saigon. His other Broadway credits include Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, in which he played Lawrence Jameson in 2006.
In addition to his Tony Awards, Pryce has also received two Laurence Olivier Awards. He won his first Olivier Award in 1980 for his performance in the title role of Hamlet at the Royal Court Theatre. This performance was acclaimed by critics as the definitive Hamlet of his generation. Pryce won his second Olivier Award for his role in The Goat, Or Who Is Sylvia? He has also received numerous other accolades for his stage work, including awards from the Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk, and Theatre World.
Throughout his career, Pryce has continued to perform on stage while also appearing in film and television roles. In 2003, he returned to the non-musical stage with A Reckoning, written by American dramatist Wesley Moore. In October 2018, he returned to the West End stage to star in Florian Zeller's The Height of the Storm alongside Dame Eileen Atkins. The production later transferred to Broadway, running from September to November 2019.
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Frequently asked questions
Jonathan Pryce was raised Welsh Presbyterian. Anthony Hopkins did not grow up with religion as his father was an atheist and his mother was agnostic. However, he has explored the idea of becoming Catholic.
The Two Popes is a fictionalised account of a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI (Sir Anthony Hopkins) and the future Pope Francis (Jonathan Pryce).
Sir Jonathan Pryce is a Welsh actor known for his performances on stage and screen. He has received numerous awards, including two Tony Awards and two Laurence Olivier Awards.
Sir Anthony Hopkins is a Welsh actor known for his roles in films such as Steven Spielberg's Amistad (1997) and The Two Popes (2020).
Yes, they worked together 25 years ago when they were both voicing a recording of Under Milk Wood.
