SIR Anthony Hopkins fulfilled one of talk show host Oprah Winfrey's dreams on her US TV show yesterday (20SEP05) when he read through a telephone directory.

The SILENCE OF THE LAMBS star was a first-time guest on the show and Winfrey wasted no time in telling him that she was a huge fan.

And when she told him that she thought he'd even sound great just reading the Chicago, Illinois area Yellow Pages, Hopkins gave it his best shot.

He read out ads for a nail salon, painting firm and construction company - even offering Oprah his best Marlon Brando impersonation.

Hopkins' wife of two years, STELLA, joined him on the show and recalled how the pair met after she fell in love with him when she spotted the actor on a float during a Pacific Palisades, California parade, and then he visited her antiques shop.

She explained, "I gave him the biggest hug and said, 'Hello, good to see you here,' and we started a friendship."

Stella confessed it was her husband's "remoteness, elegance" and "wonderful blue eyes" that first captivated her.