Sir Anthony Hopkins has revealed he didn’t show up to collect his Oscar for Best Actor because he expected the late Chadwick Boseman to win.
Sir Anthony Hopkins
Chadwick – who passed away last year following a secret battle with cancer – had been the favourite to scoop the prize at the Academy Awards in April for his performance in his final film, 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', but the trophy was instead awarded to Anthony, who wasn’t there to give an acceptance speech.
And now, Anthony – who picked up the gong for his role in ‘The Father’ – has admitted he “went to bed” because he “didn’t expect” to win.
He said: “The contender was Chadwick Boseman, so I went to bed. I didn't expect to get it, at all. My phone went, and it was a text from my agent saying ‘You've won the Oscar’ at about 5 o'clock in the morning.
“I couldn't believe it. I really couldn't believe it. I didn't expect it. I really didn't expect it. It was a shock.”
The 83-year-old actor – who’s win made him the oldest actor to ever win an Oscar – did give an acceptance speech the following morning, which he filmed from his home country in Wales.
Speaking during an appearance on ‘Lorraine’, he said: “The next morning I made a little speech of thanks to the Academy and Chadwick Boseman.”
In his belated speech, Anthony paid tribute to Chadwick and said he was “taken from us” far too soon.
He said in the clip: "Good morning. Here I am in my homeland in Wales, and at 83 years of age I did not expect to get this award, I really didn't.
"Very grateful to the Academy and thank you, and I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early.
"And again thank you all very much. Really did not expect this, so I feel very privileged and honoured. Thank you."
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