Anthony Hopkins issues update on relationship with estranged daughter as 'get over it' response sparks backlash

Acclaimed actor Anthony Hopkins has spoken out on his relationship with his own estranged daughter Abigail.

Back in November, the Silence of the Lambs star published an entire memoir about it, called We Did Ok, Kid.

In 1968, Hopkins became a father when his first wife, British actress Petronella Barker, welcomed their first and only child, Abigail.

In his book, Hopkins, who struggled with alcoholism but has now been sober for 50 years, details what it was like to walk away from them.

Following a disagreement with his wife one night, Hopkins recalls going to see 14-month-old Abigail for the last time.

“I looked down at her and whispered goodbye,” he wrote. “Then I walked back to the hall, picked up my suitcases, and left the house.”

Now 57 years old, Abigail has remained estranged from her father.

And this week, Hopkins sat down with New York Times journalist David Marchese for a special episode of The Interview, where he discussed his movie career, sobriety, and his memoir.

Marchese broached the subject of estrangement, asking the 88-year-old his thoughts on parents and children reconciling.

His answer sparked a mixed reaction from social media users.

Anthony began: “My wife Stella sent an invitation to come and see us.

“Not a word of response. So I think, okay, fine. I wish her well, but I'm not going to waste blood over that."

The Academy Award winning actor continued: “If you want to waste your life being in resentment... 58 years later, fine. Go ahead...

“I could carry resentments over the past, this and the other, but that's death. You're not living."

He added that 'we are imperfect...We're all sinners and saints or whatever we are,' but 'we do the best we can.'

Anthony continued: “Life is painful. Sometimes people get hurt. Sometimes we get hurt. But you can't live like that.

"You have to say get over. it. Now, if you can't get over it, fine. Good luck to you.”

“But I have no judgment. I did what I could. So that's it."

When asked if he hopes his daughter reads his book, Anthony responded: "I'm not going to answer that. No, I don't care... I don't want to hurt her."

The short clip of their 42-minute-long interview was shared to Instagram, where some laid into Anthony for his response.

One person called in the 'perfect example' of 'what's wrong with "get over it" parents,' adding: "No care or accountability at all. Just 'get over it' and an insistence of wanting to try and make things right on their own terms.

"A great quote I heard once was, 'The biggest blessing one can have as a parent is having kids who want to talk to you.' Sir Anthony, sadly, doesn’t give a s**t.”

A second weighed in: "I could never not try to make amends with my child, no matter what the situation. How can you be so unbothered?"

"This attitude from someone who starred in The Father. How sad," another said, referencing the 2020 movie in which Anthony starred as a dad with dementia being cared for by his daughter, played by Olivia Colman.

However, some were quick to defend him.

"I wouldn’t judge him on this one answer when these relationships are complex - anymore than I would judge his daughter for not replying..." one person said.

"Maybe he should reach out... But regardless, he is right. We aren't perfect and you can't live your life in resentment," a second added.

In his memoir, Anthony wrote that he will 'always be sorry' for hurting her when he left but believes 'to this day' he had no other option.

“I hope my daughter knows that my door is always open to her," he added.

UNILAD has contacted both Abigail and Anthony's representatives for comment.