It's been said that Sir Anthony Hopkins might be the world's most lauded actor and he has the awards to prove that: An Oscar for his unforgettable Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs;" a British Academy of Film and Television Arts, or BAFTA, award, Oscar's British equivalent for "The Remains of the Day;" numerous critics awards for "Shadowlands;" a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Golden Globes; and, of course, the knighthood bestowed upon him by the Queen of England.

"They just keep giving me roles," he says, but he would rather dabble in other creative outlets. Hopkins' landscapes have been exhibited in San Antonio, Texas, while the piano virtuoso performs his own classical compositions. He has written a screenplay and is a voracious reader. And all this he credits to his wife for her inspiration to make the most out of his talents. As he said in his Golden Globe acceptance speech, "I am not yet finished."

Bankrate: Which film in your 50-year career has been the most lucrative?

Sir Anthony Hopkins: "Hannibal" probably. That film let me pursue other creativity. It's no secret that I've done some movies just because the money is good. I haven't made a secret of that.

Bankrate: You also had a lawsuit against Merchant Ivory for a production.

Sir Anthony Hopkins: Well, I've learned that you always have to make sure you get your money up-front from that company because they cheated so many people out of money. They had a whole crew of people in Argentina where we were shooting and they didn't pay anybody. You can't do that to people, especially in a country where the economy is so poor. I really like James Ivory but you have to pay the crew and actors ... it's that simple.

Bankrate: When you were doing "The World's Fastest Indian," you were on location and happy to feed quarters into the slot machines.

Sir Anthony Hopkins: Actually, the hotel was on the border, so the parking lot was in Utah and you went up the steps and you were in Nevada. So I played the slot machines. I'm not a gambler so I just put in $20. One thing I did notice is it's all a trick. You put in $20 and they give you a bit of money; they give you a bit of money back and you think, now you've got another $80 and they've got you. You put it all back into the machine ... and more. It's funny ... it's a mug's game.