Anthony Hopkins applauds 'lovely' and 'very practical' 'Silence of the Lambs' co-star Jodie Foster for her 'healthy cynicism'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster have a special bond that goes back to their iconic roles in 'The Silence of the Lambs.'

The veteran actor, 86, currently starring in 'Freud’s Last Session,' opened up about his admiration for his former costar and friend.

Hopkins and Foster’s friendship began on the set of 'The Silence of the Lambs'

In the 1991 film, based on Thomas Harris’s novel, Hopkins and Foster, 61 played Hannibal Lecter and Clarice Starling, respectively.

Lecter is a cannibalistic psychiatrist who is imprisoned for his crimes of skinning women.

Starling is a young and ambitious FBI agent who seeks his help to catch another serial killer.

The film depicts their complex and intriguing relationship as they challenge and develop respect for each other.

Hopkins, 86, told People that he was impressed by Foster’s professionalism and simplicity on the set.

“She’s lovely,” he says. “What’s wonderful about Jodie is that great actor that she is, she has no entourage. She just comes on the set and does it. Very laid back. Very cool. What I like about her, she’s very practical.”

The 'Silence of the Lambs' won five Oscars and became a masterpiece

The Silence of the Lambs was a huge hit, both with critics and audiences. It won five Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Hopkins and Best Actress for Foster.

It is widely regarded as one of the best movies of all time.

Hopkins and Foster still cherish the memories of making the film that changed their careers.

“It’s a life-changing adventure, that movie, for both of us,” Foster, 58, told Hopkins when they reunited for Variety’s 'Actors on Actors' series over Zoom in 2021 to mark the film’s 30th anniversary.

Hopkins said at the time that he knew what Hannibal sounded like as soon as he read the script. “I knew what the character looked like,” he said. “The voice had come to on the first reading.”

Foster said, “I remember that specific voice you had, the metallic tinge to your voice,” she said. 

Anthony Hopkins says Jodie Foster had expressed uncertainty about facing the camera again

Hopkins also revealed to the publication how Foster, who has been honest about her mixed feelings about acting, told him that she was not sure if she wanted to continue in the industry.

He said that he respected her healthy cynicism and pragmatism.

“She’s got that nice healthy cynicism about it. It’s a job,” he said, quoting actor Robert Mitchum. “When he was asked, ‘Why did you act?’ He said, ‘It beats work.’ I love that. That’s good. Beats working.”

Foster has since kept busy as an actor, appearing in 'Nyad' and the HBO series 'True Detective.'