Cup of coffee buys Sir Anthony drama tips

He may be one of the world’s most celebrated actors but Oscar-winner Sir Anthony Hopkins thinks nothing of giving up his free time to teach acting classes to students at a Californian school.

The 64-year-old Welshman spends his Saturdays at the Ruskin School of Acting in Santa Monica advising a new generation of actors on their craft.

The school’s founder John Ruskin spoke of his amazement that the actor who won an Academy Award for his role as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of The Lambs agreed to offer his teaching services.

Hopkins had originally come to the school to give a talk to the class of 40 students after being asked to do so by a friend.

Now he is in the classroom, based at Santa Monica airport, lecturing and sharing his experience each week.

And all he asks for in return is a cup of coffee.

Mr Ruskin, 41, said: ‘‘It’s unheard-of for someone of his stature to offer to do this. That’s part of what makes it so amazing.

‘‘He could be doing anything he wants and he’s offering himself to our school and our students.

‘‘We are beyond indebted to him he’s changing the students’ lives.’’

He said one of his students knew Hopkins as an acquaintance and invited him to speak to the class late last year.

Afterwards, Mr Ruskin asked the Los Angeles-based actor if he would consider teaching the students.

He said: ‘‘He agreed and now he teaches for three to five hours each Saturday unless he is away.

‘‘He teaches everything from monologues to Shakespeare to Chekhov and helps the students understand how to work on a piece.

‘‘He talks about theory and things he learned as a young actor.’’

The school has a total of 115 students and those in the masterclass taught by Hopkins have finished the two-year basic course.

Mr Ruskin added: ‘‘He’s as humble and noble as anyone I have ever met, there’s nothing about him that says he’s a big movie star.’’

Hopkins is currently filming Red Dragon in which he will return to his most famous role as cannibalistic killer-psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter.

He is soon to appear in Bad Company with Chris Rock and later this year stars in The Human Stain with Nicole Kidman which is said to have some raunchy scenes in which he appears nude.

Hopkins said he gives the acting classes because he enjoys himself.

‘‘It’s a wonderful feeling to see somebody suddenly opening up ... I feel I have an intuitive thing about actors, especially younger actors.

‘‘And I feel I can help out a bit and give encouragement because it’s a tough business,’’ he said.