Sir Anthony Hopkins is one of the most acclaimed and respected actors of our time. He has starred in some of the most iconic films over the past five decades, including The Silence of the Lambs, The Remains of the Day, Nixon, and many others. However, Hopkins has also lent his acting talents to various commercials throughout his career. Here is an overview of some of the most notable commercials featuring Anthony Hopkins over the years.
What Companies Has Anthony Hopkins Done Commercials For?
Hopkins has appeared in commercials for several high-profile companies and brands. Some of the most significant include:
- Knorr: Hopkins appeared in various commercials for Knorr soup products in the 1990s. He often played an aristocratic Englishman enjoying a bowl of Knorr soup.
- Lucini Italia Olive Oil: Hopkins was the spokesperson for Lucini Italia’s Tuscan Villa Brand olive oils in the 2000s. The ads featured Hopkins endorsing the olive oil’s quality and taste.
- Turkish Airlines: In 2016, Hopkins starred in an elaborate commercial for Turkish Airlines featuring a dialogue with his younger self (played by a body double). It highlighted the airline’s attention to quality and detail.
- Qualcomm: Hopkins appeared in a series of Qualcomm Snapdragon processor ads portraying historical figures like Einstein and Frankenstein relying on the processor’s speed.
- Audible: In 2021, Hopkins narrated an Audible ad promoting the audiobook service as a means to experience more books and stories.
What Was Anthony Hopkins’ Most Famous Commercial?
Hopkins’ most renowned commercial is likely his appearance in a series of ads for Turkish Airlines in 2016.
The lavish commercial was nearly 6 minutes long and filmed by award-winning director Ridley Scott. It featured Hopkins playing chess with his younger self at a palatial Turkish Airlines airport lounge.
The conversation touches on themes like wisdom, curiosity and self-reflection. The sumptuous setting showed off Turkish Airlines’ luxury amenities and service.
The extended short-film format and revered Hollywood talent gave the Turkish Airlines ad major prestige and publicity. It was hailed as redefining the artistic potential of commercials.
What Commercials Showcase Anthony Hopkins’ Humor?
While Hopkins often plays serious, refined characters, he’s shown his fun side in a few memorable commercials:
- ZTE Mobile Phone: A 2017 Chinese ad saw Hopkins playing an elder professor figure who preaches silly advice to a group of students. Hopkins shows his comedic chops as he gleefully gives nonsensical life lessons.
- Qualcomm Snapdragon: Hopkins portrayed different historic figures like Einstein and Frankenstein in over-the-top comedic situations, emphasizing the processor’s speed and reliability.
- Knorr Soup: A couple of Hopkins’ Knorr ads from the 1990s had humorous elements. In one he inaccurate recounts historical tales to a boy while enjoying the soup.
- The Mask of Zorro: To promote the 1998 film The Mask of Zorro, Hopkins appeared in an irreverent TV ad set in a supermarket. He swashbuckled his way through the store as his Zorro character from the film.
Hopkins has proven he can find the funny side of even the most serious roles. His comedic turns in commercials provide a memorable counterpoint to his usual gravitas.
What Luxury Brands Has Hopkins Represented?
In addition to his acting pedigree, Hopkins’ refined English manner lends an air of sophistication to any product he endorses. He has used his prestige to promote several high-end luxury brands via commercials:
- Hennessy Cognac: Hopkins was the spokesperson for the elite French cognac maker in the late 1990s and early 2000s. His air of refinement perfectly matched the spirit’s upscale image.
- Lucini Italia Olive Oil: For Lucini Italia’s Tuscan Villa luxury olive oils, Hopkins added an extra touch of prestige and discernment to the brand.
- Breitling: Hopkins appeared in ads for Breitling’s exclusive mechanical watches in 2002. His status helped convey Breitling’s sense of elite pedigree and craftsmanship.
- Turkish Airlines: As one of the world’s leading airlines, Turkish Airlines carries an air of luxury that was complemented by having Hopkins speak about their unmatched service and attention to detail.
- Audible: Even Hopkins’ ad for the audiobook service emphasized Audible as a premium experience for discerning listeners.
Hopkins lends any high-end brand he associates with a greater perception of taste, exclusivity and prestige. Luxury companies have frequently taken advantage of this through commercial partnerships.
What Ads Has Hopkins Done For Non-Profit Causes?
In addition to commercial brands, Hopkins has used his renown to support noble causes by appearing in advertisements for:
- UNHCR: Hopkins narrated a 2016 ad for the UN refugee agency highlighting the struggles faced by refugees and the need for solidarity and solutions.
- RED Campaign: The same year Hopkins took part in a RED campaign ad promoting the charity’s fight against AIDS.
- Stem Cell Research: Hopkins has advocated for stem cell research in various public service ads seeking to build awareness and support.
- Global Fund: In 2021, Hopkins appeared in a Global Fund ad asking for public donations to provide health resources for those in need.
- Climate Change: For Earth Day 2022, Hopkins participated in a Call for Code ad warning of climate change’s effects and the need for action.
Hopkins lends these important social and humanitarian causes the star power to help their messages reach a wider audience. His willingness to contribute his time and fame reflects his sense of social responsibility.
What Car Commercials Has Hopkins Appeared In?
Surprisingly, despite his stature as an actor, Hopkins hasn’t appeared in many car commercials over the years. Some spots include:
- Toyota: Hopkins was part of a 2002 Super Bowl ad for Toyota highlighting their certified used vehicles. He questions if a used car can feel new.
- Mazda: In 2011, Hopkins voiced a Mazda CX-9 ad emphasizing the vehicle’s backseat roominess by having him recite classic poetry to a child in the back.
- Kia: For the 2022 Super Bowl, Hopkins starred in Kia’s ad for the all-electric EV6 portraying an evil villain angry at electric vehicles for ruining his evil plans.
While limited, Hopkins shows his versatility as a performer in how he can adapt his delivery and persona to suit the very different tones of each car ad. The Kia EV6 ad allowed him to tap into his prowess at playing memorable villains.
What Unorthodox Commercials Has Hopkins Been Part Of?
Never one to be pigeonholed, Hopkins has surprised viewers over the years by showing up in some peculiar and unexpected commercials:
- Masked Mexican Wrestler: Hopkins appeared randomly in a 2017 Mexican commercial for pneumococcal vaccines as a masked Lucha libre wrestler.
- Chinese Mobile Game: The same year, Hopkins promoted a fantasy mobile game called Celtic Heroes in an odd Chinese commercial done in full CGI fantasy costume.
- Japanese Robot Vacuum: Hopkins also did a Japanese ad for a Roomba-style robot vacuum cleaner, where he whimsically rode on the back of the vacuum like a horse.
- California Raisins: He briefly appeared in Claymation form with the California Raisins singing group in a memorable 1980s ad.
- 1-800-COLLECT: Before he was famous, a young Hopkins appeared in a strange late 90s 1-800-COLLECT ad set at a creepy school dance.
Hopkins isn’t afraid to show his eccentric side in commercials, often popping up in playful and peculiar international ads. These offbeat appearances highlight his range and willingness to think outside the box.
How Has Hopkins Approached Advertising Differently Than Other Actors?
Throughout his career, Hopkins has leveraged his fame for commercial gain in ways distinct from many of his acting peers:
- He started doing ads relatively late, in his 50s, whereas many actors begin much earlier.
- He often participates in international ads largely unseen by US audiences.
- He takes on silly, comedic roles in ads he’d never do in films.
- Hopkins seems to have no qualms about mocking his serious acting image.
- He embraces bizarre concepts, like playing a Mexican wrestler or Claymation raisin.
- Hopkins tends to favor short-term advertising partnerships rather than long-term brand ambassador deals.
- His ads feature more artistic concepts and elaborate production values.
Hopkins enters advertising on his own terms, focused on pursuing opportunities for creative expression rather than building a branded persona or maintaining prestige. His unique approach keeps viewers guessing what unexpected commercial he’ll turn up in next.
Conclusion
In closing, Anthony Hopkins stands as one of the most prolific and acclaimed actors ever to grace the big screen. However, he has also proven equally adept at adapting his prodigious talents to the small screen through memorably eccentric and artistic commercial roles.
Hopkins began leveraging his prestige for advertisements relatively late in his career. But he embraced the opportunities to show his versatility and humor outside his usual dramatic roles. Hopkins starred in international hits like the Turkish Airlines ad as well as silly spots like a masked Mexican wrestler.
The commercials reviewed here represent only a sampling of Hopkins’ advertising output over the decades. But they demonstrate his unique willingness to send up his refined image and take on bizarre character concepts if they allow him creative expression. Brands frequently seek Hopkins out to lend their products gravitas and reputation. Yet Hopkins ultimately uses advertising on his own iconoclastic and unpredictable terms rather than shaping a consistent brand identity.
Approaching his eighth decade, Sir Anthony Hopkins continues to choose projects that challenge him in new ways. If his past advertising record is any indication, viewers can count on more surprising and eccentric Hopkins commercial appearances for years to come.
FAQs
What was Hopkins’ first commercial?
Hopkins’ first known national commercial appearance was relatively late in his career. It was for a 1990s American Express ad promoting traveller’s checks that leaned into Hopkins’ image as Hannibal Lecter.
Has Hopkins ever done commercials for alcoholic brands?
In addition to Hennessy cognac, Hopkins was a spokesperson for the Spanish wine company El Coto in the 1990s, appearing in commercials and advertisements.
Did Hopkins do ads earlier in the UK?
There is less record of Hopkins appearing in major British ad campaigns during the early stages of his career. He seems to have begun leveraging his fame for advertising purposes later on.
What upcoming projects will Hopkins appear in?
Upcoming Hopkins roles include starring in the drama One Life about Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter. He also appears in the Marvel film Thor: Love and Thunder reprising his role as Odin.
How much does Hopkins typically earn for a commercial?
While amounts aren’t public, as a decorated Oscar-winner Hopkins likely earns over $1 million for national commercial campaigns requiring substantial time commitment. International ads may pay several hundred thousand.