Anthony Hopkins, 87, is known for his precision and intensity on screen—qualities his wife, Stella Arroyave, believes may hint at autism. In a candid interview with The Sunday Times published November 1, the actor said Arroyave once suggested he might have Asperger’s after noticing his obsession with numbers, detail, and routine.
Hopkins, however, was quick to reject the notion. “I didn’t know what the hell she was talking about,” he said, adding, “I don’t even believe it.” The actor shared his skepticism about modern psychological diagnoses, calling them “rubbish” and part of today’s “fashion for labels.”
While Asperger’s is no longer a formal diagnosis (it’s now considered part of autism spectrum disorder), Hopkins said he prefers to see such traits as part of “the human condition,” not a disorder.
Indeed, people on the autism spectrum face stigma and misconceptions every day—but some well-known figures are helping change perceptions. Click on to meet celebrities who’ve spoken about autism and challenged the stereotypes.