Anthony Hopkinsis expressing his gratitude fortaking home the Best Actorhonor at the 2021 Oscars ceremony Sunday night.On Monday morning, the actorposted a video tohis official Instagram account, sharing with fans that he was currently “in his homeland in Wales.““At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award. I really didn’t. I’m very grateful to the Academy, and thank you,” began Hopkins, who won the award for his role as Anthony inThe Father.He went on to honor the lateChadwick Boseman, whom many considered the frontrunner in the category following his Golden Globe and Screen Actor’s Guild award wins forbest actor in a motion picture, drama, for his role inMa Rainey’s Black Bottom.“And I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early,” Hopkins said. “And again, thank you all very much. I really did not expect this. So I feel very privileged and honored. Thank you.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.PresenterJoaquin Phoenix, who won the Best Actor category last year forhis performance inJoker, accepted the award on Hopkins' behalf, asthe celebrated star was asleep in bed at the timeand had no idea he’d won what was the final award of the evening or that he had become a record holder as the oldest star to win an Oscar in the category.“Tony was in Wales, where he grew up, and he was asleep at 4 in the morning when I woke him up to tell him the news,” Hopkins' long-time agent Jeremy Barber told PEOPLE.He added of Hopkins, “He was so happy and so grateful.““After a year inquarantine, and being double-vaccinated, he was finally able to return to Wales, and age 83, it was a great relief after such a difficult year,” Barber continued. “But he loved the role inThe Father— it’s his proudest performance — and to be the oldest living actor to win in the category means so much to him.“Anthony Hopkins inThe Father.Sean Gleason/Courtesy of Sony Pictures ClassicsRELATED VIDEO: Chadwick Boseman’s Wife Simone Movingly Quotes Late Actor While Accepting His 2021 SAG AwardInThe Father, Hopkins plays Anthony, a man with dementia who defiantly rejects caregivers his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) introduces to him. As his condition worsens, Anthony’s confusion surrounding his memories affects his identity and the relationships around him.Hopkins — who has been nominated six times total at the Academy Awards — also beat out fellow nomineesRiz Ahmed(Sound of Metal),Gary Oldman(Mank) andSteven Yeun(Minari) to take home his second Oscar Sunday night.Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on the 2021 Oscars.He won his first at the 64th Academy Awards, earning the Best Actor trophy for his iconic performance as the expert psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the 1992 psychological thrillerThe Silence of the Lambsopposite Oscar winnerJodie Foster.The 93rd Academy Awards aired live on Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.
Anthony Hopkinsis expressing his gratitude fortaking home the Best Actorhonor at the 2021 Oscars ceremony Sunday night.
On Monday morning, the actorposted a video tohis official Instagram account, sharing with fans that he was currently “in his homeland in Wales.”
“At 83 years of age, I did not expect to get this award. I really didn’t. I’m very grateful to the Academy, and thank you,” began Hopkins, who won the award for his role as Anthony inThe Father.
He went on to honor the lateChadwick Boseman, whom many considered the frontrunner in the category following his Golden Globe and Screen Actor’s Guild award wins forbest actor in a motion picture, drama, for his role inMa Rainey’s Black Bottom.
“And I want to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who was taken from us far too early,” Hopkins said. “And again, thank you all very much. I really did not expect this. So I feel very privileged and honored. Thank you.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
PresenterJoaquin Phoenix, who won the Best Actor category last year forhis performance inJoker, accepted the award on Hopkins' behalf, asthe celebrated star was asleep in bed at the timeand had no idea he’d won what was the final award of the evening or that he had become a record holder as the oldest star to win an Oscar in the category.
“Tony was in Wales, where he grew up, and he was asleep at 4 in the morning when I woke him up to tell him the news,” Hopkins' long-time agent Jeremy Barber told PEOPLE.
He added of Hopkins, “He was so happy and so grateful.”
“After a year inquarantine, and being double-vaccinated, he was finally able to return to Wales, and age 83, it was a great relief after such a difficult year,” Barber continued. “But he loved the role inThe Father— it’s his proudest performance — and to be the oldest living actor to win in the category means so much to him.”
Anthony Hopkins inThe Father.Sean Gleason/Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
RELATED VIDEO: Chadwick Boseman’s Wife Simone Movingly Quotes Late Actor While Accepting His 2021 SAG Award
InThe Father, Hopkins plays Anthony, a man with dementia who defiantly rejects caregivers his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman) introduces to him. As his condition worsens, Anthony’s confusion surrounding his memories affects his identity and the relationships around him.
Hopkins — who has been nominated six times total at the Academy Awards — also beat out fellow nomineesRiz Ahmed(Sound of Metal),Gary Oldman(Mank) andSteven Yeun(Minari) to take home his second Oscar Sunday night.
Listen below to the episode ofour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more on the 2021 Oscars.
He won his first at the 64th Academy Awards, earning the Best Actor trophy for his iconic performance as the expert psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the 1992 psychological thrillerThe Silence of the Lambsopposite Oscar winnerJodie Foster.
The 93rd Academy Awards aired live on Sunday, April 25, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on ABC.
source: people.com
