Anthony Hopkins Speaks Highly of Former Co-Star Jodie Foster’s Work Ethic

Renowned actor Anthony Hopkins recently shared his admiration for his former co-star Jodie Foster and her no-nonsense approach to her craft. The two actors had worked together over three decades ago on the 1991 thriller film based on Thomas Harris’s best-selling novel.

Hopkins portrayed the enigmatic character Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist and cannibalistic murderer incarcerated in a high-security institution for the criminally insane. His character becomes intertwined with FBI trainee Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, who seeks his expertise to catch another sinister criminal.

The movie, directed by Jonathan Demme, was a smash hit and went on to win five Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Hopkins and Best Actress for Foster. It also took home the awards for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Though the two acting giants had not seen each other in person since their Zoom reunion in 2021, where they reminisced about their experiences working on the film for its 30th anniversary, Hopkins fondly praised Foster’s down-to-earth nature. He spoke of her simplicity and practicality, highlighting her lack of an entourage and her ability to effortlessly slip into her role.

During their virtual reunion, Foster touched upon the enduring impact of their collaboration. She playfully mentioned that Hopkins still likely receives references to his famous line, “Would you like a nice Chianti?” from enthusiastic fans.

Hopkins, in turn, shared an anecdote from actor Robert Mitchum, who had once quipped that acting beats regular work. He marveled at Foster’s healthy cynicism towards the industry and recalled a conversation where she revealed her initial doubts about pursuing a career in front of the camera. Nevertheless, Foster continued to excel, taking on various challenging roles such as appearing in the films “Nyad” and the HBO series “True Detective.”

Currently, Anthony Hopkins can be seen on the big screen in the movie “Freud’s Last Session.” For more details on Hopkins and his career, the latest issue of PEOPLE magazine provides an in-depth look.