Sir Anthony Hopkins is writing a memoir

The 86-year-old actor admitted that he found it "weird" to document his life story, but is grateful that he has always had an excellent memory.

He told People magazine: "I'm writing a biography. It's a strange process. I've realized how blessed I am with one thing. Maybe it's my actor's brain. I really have a pretty good memory. I remember days from months to years."

And it's not just Sir Anthony looking back on his life - his wife Stella, 67, is making a documentary about him and he has given her "carte blanche to [tell] everything".

While the screen legend knows that Stella - who they have been married to for 20 years - has interviewed his Silence of the Lambs co-star Jodie Foster for his film, he is not sure how far she has gone with the project.

He added: "I don't know. I'm not asking her. It's quite a long movie. I don't know when it's coming out."

One of the topics the actor is likely to touch on in his book is his struggle with alcoholism.

He admits: "I drank myself to death sometimes. One day I had a real scare. I sought help. That was 48 years ago."

Then he remembers hearing a voice in his head telling him, "You can start living," and that pushed him toward sobriety.

These days, the "Meet Joe Black" star spends her time playing the piano, painting and hanging out with her family when she's not working. He is convinced that he could not be happier with the path his life has taken.

He said: "I'm just happy. I've been through ups and downs, depression, despair, anger and all these things, but gradually over the last few years I've said to myself, 'Well, I'm still here.'"/BGNES