'The Best Acting I Have Seen — Ever': Anthony Hopkins Loves 'Breaking Bad,' Writes Fan Letter to Bryan Cranston

The guy who won an Oscar for playing Hannibal Lecter knows a thing or two about playing an iconic villain, so the fact that Anthony Hopkins wrote a fan letter gushing about his love of Breaking Bad to Bryan Cranston is a pretty big deal.

The letter, which was first posted by Steven Michael Quezada, who played Steve Gomez on Breaking Bad, was later published in full by a Reddit user. In the letter, Hopkins called Cranston's performance "the best acting I have seen — ever" and says that Cranston is "truly a great, great actor." It's funny to see Hopkins, one of the top talents of his time, writing this fanboy letter to Cranston, talking about him and Breaking Bad just like we all did after watching the show ourselves. Hopkins even binge-watched the series, albeit on Amazon instead of Netflix.

Here's the full text of Hopkins' letter to Cranston:

Dear Mister Cranston. I wanted to write you this email — so I am contacting you through Jeremy Barber – I take it we are both represented by UTA. Great agency. 

I've just finished a marathon of watching "BREAKING BAD" — from episode one of the First Season – to the last eight episodes of the Sixth Season. (I downloaded the last season on AMAZON) A total of two weeks (addictive) viewing. I have never watched anything like it. Brilliant! 

Your performance as Walter White was the best acting I have seen — ever. 

I know there is so much smoke blowing and sickening bullshit in this business, and I’ve sort of lost belief in anything really. 

But this work of yours is spectacular — absolutely stunning. What is extraordinary, is the sheer power of everyone in the entire production. What was it? Five or six years in the making? How the producers (yourself being one of them), the writers, directors, cinematographers ... every department — casting etc. managed to keep the discipline and control from beginning to the end is (that over used word) awesome. 

From what started as a black comedy, descended into a labyrinth of blood, destruction and hell. It was like a great Jacobean, Shakespearian or Greek Tragedy. 

If you ever get a chance to – would you pass on my admiration to everyone — Anna Gunn, Dean Norris, Aaron Paul, Betsy Brandt, R.J. Mitte, Bob Odenkirk, Jonathan Banks, Steven Michael Quezada — everyone — everyone gave master classes of performance … The list is endless. 

Thank you. That kind of work/artistry is rare, and when, once in a while, it occurs, as in this epic work, it restores confidence. You and all the cast are the best actors I’ve ever seen. That may sound like a good lung full of smoke blowing. But it is not. It’s almost midnight out here in Malibu, and I felt compelled to write this email. 

Congratulations and my deepest respect. You are truly a great, great actor. Best regards 

Tony Hopkins.

According to TheWrap, Hopkins' publicist confirmed the authenticity of the letter.

Speaking of Breaking Bad, did anyone spend a lot of Sunday's The Walking Dead premiere thinking it just wasn't the same now that we've seen AMC wrap up one of the greatest series in TV history?