14 DAY TRIAL // Sir Anthony Hopkins has more in common with you than you think, that is, if you happen to be a fan of AMC’s “Breaking Bad” as well. Gawker confirms that the actor sent a totally amazing fan letter to actor and producer Bryan Cranston, to personally congratulate him on his work on the series.
If you’re late to the game, you should probably know that “Breaking Bad” ended last month after 5 very well received seasons. Cranston played Walter White, a former chemistry teacher diagnosed with lung cancer, who turns to cooking meth to make sure his family isn’t left dirt poor when he’s gone.
The letter was originally posted on series co-creator Steven Michael Quezada’s Facebook page and was even linked to on his Twitter. Both posts were deleted within hours, which made some fans believe the letter must have been fake.
Gawker is now confirming its authenticity: Hopkins did reach out to Cranston after a “Breaking Bad” viewing marathon to shower him with unrequested praise, which he generously and rightfully extended to the entire cast and staff.
The letter, if we’re to sum it up, is precisely what any fan of the series would have probably written, but it comes from someone with more experience in the industry and, as he puts it, who has come to be disappointed in the craft.
“Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen – ever. I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bull[expletive] in this business, and I've sort of lost belief in anything really. But this work of yours is spectacular – absolutely stunning,” Hopkins writes after the 2-week marathon, which he describes as “addictive viewing.”
“What is extraordinary, is the sheer power of everyone in the entire production. What was it? Five or six years in the making? How the producers (yourself being one of them), the writers, directors, cinematographers... every department – casting etc. managed to keep the discipline and control from beginning to the end is (that over used word) awesome,” the actor continues.
“From what started as a black comedy, descended into a labyrinth of blood, destruction and hell. It was like a great Jacobean, Shakespearian or Greek Tragedy. If you ever get a chance to – would you pass on my admiration to everyone – Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Steven Michael Quezada – everyone – everyone gave master classes of performance ... The list is endless,” he says.
Hopkins ends the letter by actually thanking Cranston for restoring his faith in art.
“That kind of work/artistry is rare, and when, once in a while, it occurs, as in this epic work, it restores confidence. You and all the cast are the best actors I've ever seen. That may sound like a good lung full of smoke blowing. But it is not. Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor,” he says.
Now that you’ve read most of the letter here, it’s not hard to see why it’s gone viral.