Anthony Hopkins' Lifelong Love for His Welsh Hometown

The Oscar-winning actor has maintained a deep connection to Port Talbot despite his decades-long Hollywood career.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:03pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a worn, weathered wooden surface in muted earth tones, with dramatic high-contrast lighting creating a sense of aged, nostalgic texture that conceptually represents the enduring connection between actor Anthony Hopkins and his Welsh roots.A weathered, textured surface evokes the deep-rooted connection between Anthony Hopkins and his Welsh hometown.Malibu Today

At 88 years old, acclaimed actor Anthony Hopkins has spent over five decades living and working in Hollywood, but he has never forgotten his roots in the Welsh town of Port Talbot where he grew up. Hopkins has continued to visit his hometown regularly over the years and has even returned to Wales to film a new project about Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, allowing him to explore his Welsh heritage.

Why it matters

Hopkins' enduring affection for his Welsh hometown, even after achieving massive success in Hollywood, speaks to the power of one's childhood roots and the importance of maintaining a connection to one's cultural identity, no matter how far one travels from home.

The details

Before becoming a two-time Oscar winner, Hopkins grew up in Port Talbot, the same town as the late actor Richard Burton. Though he's now a big Hollywood star, Hopkins has said the people in his hometown don't pay much attention to his fame, which he sees as a good thing to keep him grounded. Hopkins has also opened up about feeling lonely as a child, which he believes is part of what drew him to acting. Over the decades, Hopkins has returned to Wales periodically, including a recent visit where he delighted locals with a surprise appearance at a fish and chips shop. Most recently, Hopkins has traveled back to Wales to film a new project about Welsh poet Dylan Thomas, allowing him to further explore his Welsh roots.

  • In the 1970s, Hopkins moved to the US to pursue acting.
  • In April 2000, Hopkins became a US citizen.
  • In 2001, Hopkins purchased a property in Malibu, California.
  • In 2020, Hopkins sold his Malibu property.
  • In January 2025, Hopkins' home in Pacific Palisades, California was burned down in wildfires.

The players

Anthony Hopkins

An 88-year-old Welsh actor who has won two Academy Awards and has spent over five decades living and working in Hollywood, but has maintained a deep connection to his hometown of Port Talbot, Wales.

Richard Burton

A late Welsh actor who, like Hopkins, hailed from the town of Port Talbot.

Dylan Thomas

A renowned Welsh poet who is the subject of Hopkins' latest film project, which has brought the actor back to Wales to explore his cultural roots.

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What they’re saying

“I would like to go back to Wales. I'm obsessed with my childhood and at least three times a week dream I am back there.”

— Anthony Hopkins

“This is a powerful and profoundly beautiful story, one that allows me to return to my Welsh roots while exploring the remarkable vision and prose of Dylan Thomas.”

— Anthony Hopkins

“I don't think they really take it seriously, which is very good, it keeps my feet on the ground.”

— Anthony Hopkins

“When I became an actor my dream was to come here to Hollywood. This is synonymous with the dreamland of the movie business, and that's where I always wanted to come.”

— Anthony Hopkins

What’s next

Hopkins is currently filming his new project about Dylan Thomas in Wales, which is expected to be released in 2027.

The takeaway

Despite his immense success in Hollywood, Anthony Hopkins has never forgotten his Welsh roots and has maintained a deep, lifelong connection to his hometown of Port Talbot. His return to Wales to film a project about a beloved Welsh poet is a testament to the enduring power of one's cultural identity and the importance of honoring one's origins, no matter how far one travels from home.