Hannibal Lecter (Silence of The Lambs) by Anthony Hopkins

There are few actors whose lines can thrill you while still sending chills down your spine. This article will show you one of those rare exceptions: Anthony Hopkins. The man has had a long and distinguished career. Still, he is most recognized for his iconic depiction of Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs and Red Dragon. From Joker in Batman to Amy from Gone Girl, the Oscar-winning artist has inspired a new generation of baddies over the last decades, ever since his debut appearance as the enigmatic Hannibal.

The moment Anthony laid eyes on the 1991 script, he knew how to portray this special villain right away. Anthony explained that he was influenced by the world-class acting of his seniors - Truman Capote, Katherine Hepburn, and HAL - whose distinct auras have been combined in the portrayal of Hannibal. The actor crafted everything, from Hannibal's appearances to his stern stance and sinister grin. Anthony was the one who came up with the idea of dark slick hair for the character. He also suggested the character's attire to be a tight set of jail outfits, depicting Hannibal's authoritative nature. In a 2014 interview for Empire, Anthony expressed that the final result impressed even him upon his first time looking into the mirror.

Anthony spent a lot of time creating the right vibe for Hannibal. And his immense efforts paid off. Hannibal Lecter has consistently topped surveys and opinion polls since the public launch of The Silence of the Lambs almost thirty years ago. Still skeptical about Anthony's performance? The actor was honored with BAFTA, New York Circle Award, Oscar Award, and several other prizes, despite only appearing for 20 minutes throughout the film's 140-minute length.