Believe it or not, it’s been almost two weeks since Breaking Bad aired its final episode. Fans and critics of the show have been praising the series’ finale ever since the final shot faded to black. Almost everyone from George R.R. Martin to Damon Lindelof has voiced their affection for AMC’s hit crime drama, but now a very high-profile name has joined the masses, and he did it in a way that spoke volumes.

Recently Steven Michael Quezada, who played ATF Agent Steve Gomez on the show shared a letter that had been sent to the cast from none other than Sir Anthony Hopkins, who is best known for his Academy Award-winning performance as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs. After binge-viewing the entire run of AMC’s hit crime drama, Hopkins wrote a beautiful letter expressing his admiration to Bran Cranston and the rest of the cast and crew. He specifically said that Cranston’s performance was the best he’s ever seen. Talk about some high praise!

We have included the full text of Hopkins’ letter for your viewing below.

Dear Mister Cranston.

I wanted to write you this email – so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber – I take it we are both represented by UTA . Great agency.

I’ve just finished a marathon of watching “BREAKING BAD” – from episode one of the First Season – to the last eight episodes of the Sixth Season. (I downloaded the last season on AMAZON) A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing.

I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant!

Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen – ever.

I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bullshit in this business, and I’ve sort of lost belief in anything really.

But this work of yours is spectacular – absolutely stunning. 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.

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.

Thank you. 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. It’s almost midnight out here in Malibu, and I felt compelled to write this email.

Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor.

Best regards

Tony Hopkins.

Wow. Talk about class!

Unfortunately, Hopkins is very right about the way the entertainment business works. There is far too much focus on smoke-blowing and bullshitting, and far too few genuine examples of class like this display from Sir Anthony. I’m a sucker for moments and gestures like this, and I think this one just joined my Top 10 list.

 

What do you think about Anthony Hopkins’ letter? Do you agree with him on his praises or do you think he’s being too modest? Why don’t you just tell us what you think in the comments below?

Source: IGN