Sir Anthony Hopkins is widely considered one of the greatest actors in cinematic history. In a 2005 poll, Hopkins was selected as the greatest British actor of all time. If you want to get more modern, Hopkins comes in at #8 on IMDB’s list of the greatest 100 actors of all time from anywhere.
What I’m trying to say is that Hopkins’ credentials are pretty top-notch, so when he shares an opinion about the profession of acting people tend to listen. In a remarkable fan letter from Hopkins to Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston, the living legend exalted the latter’s performance as Walter White using a heaping, helping load of superlatives that you’ve got to read to believe.
Fellow Breaking Bad actor Michael Quezada (DEA agent Steven Gomez), shared the following mind-blower on his Facebook page but has since taken it down. This removal and the hard-to-believe accolades heaped on Cranston had many questioning the validity of the letter. The fine folks with Gawker reached out and are confirming that this is indeed Sir Anthony Hopkins sharing his thoughts on Breaking Bad to Bryan Cranston via a letter:
Dear Mister Cranston.
I wanted to write you this email – so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber – I take it we are both represented by UTA . Great agency.
I’ve just finished a marathon of watching “BREAKING BAD” – from episode one of the First Season – to the last eight episodes of the Sixth Season. (I downloaded the last season on AMAZON) A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing.
I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant!
Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen – ever.
I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bullsh*t in this business, and I’ve sort of lost belief in anything really.
But this work of yours is spectacular – absolutely stunning. What is extraordinary, is the sheer power of everyone in the entire production. What was it? Five or six years in the making? How the producers (yourself being one of them), the writers, directors, cinematographers…. every department – casting etc. managed to keep the discipline and control from beginning to the end is (that over used word) awesome.
From what started as a black comedy, descended into a labyrinth of blood, destruction and hell. It was like a great Jacobean, Shakespearian or Greek Tragedy.
If you ever get a chance to – would you pass on my admiration to everyone – Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Steven Michael Quezada – everyone – everyone gave master classes of performance … The list is endless.
Thank you. That kind of work/artistry is rare, and when, once in a while, it occurs, as in this epic work, it restores confidence.
You and all the cast are the best actors I’ve ever seen.
That may sound like a good lung full of smoke blowing. But it is not. It’s almost midnight out here in Malibu, and I felt compelled to write this email.
Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor.
Best regards
Tony Hopkins.
Insane!?! Can you imagine Cranston’s reaction when he received this? Here’s “Tony” and Bryan doing their thing in two unforgettable scenes:
