Filmmaker Stella Arroyave is making a documentary on the life and career of her husband, Anthony Hopkins

Anthony Hopkins’ wife, Stella Arroyave, whom he married two decades ago is making a documentary on his life. Filming in Wales, his place of birth is almost over. The documentary already has interviews with Jodie Foster, Oliver Stone and Ian McKellen about his life.

Stella turned into filmmaking, writing and acting rather late in life. She was an antiques dealer when Anthony Hopkins first met her in her shop in Los Angeles. She was so happy to see him in her shop that instead of merely walking across to show him around, she actually danced.
Till that point, Anthony who had been married twice earlier had given up hopes of ever finding someone suitable to marry. But on meeting Stella for the first time, he was floored and the two married after a two-year courtship in 2003.

Stella’s life changed completely from this point onwards. She chucked up her antiques business and collaborated with her husband actively in the entertainment industry. She was the producer for Slipstream, the story for which was written by Hopkins. She also acted in it. Later, she appeared with Anthony in another small role in The Human Stain.
Stella, who has done UCLA courses in writing, directing and filming, finally directed her husband in a psychological drama, Elyse in 2020.

For now, she is concentrating on the documentary. While filming in Wales, she was happy to speak to one of Anthony’s old grammar school teachers who gave a glimpse of his childhood. She learnt that Anthony was a quiet child and was fond of drawing and playing the piano.