OBITUARIES
Oscar-Winning Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman Found Dead at Age 46
by Ethan Anderton
February 2, 2014
Source: WSJ
A shocking tragedy has struck this afternoon as actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, the Oscar-winning actor of Capote, was found dead in his New York City apartment. The actor was only 46 years old, and Wall Street Journal says a cause of death is likely a drug overdose. The actor was just seen at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival as the star of Anton Corbijn's A Most Wanted Man and John Slattery's God's Pocket. In addition, Hoffman had just brought to life a pivotal character in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire last year. The actor also had several gestating projects that are now up in the air in the wake of the terrible news.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was originally defined as a "character actor", but few character actors had the charisma, screen presence and raw talent that he displayed in every single role. Whether it was early, minor work in Scent of a Woman, or his lead actor work in P.T. Anderon's The Master, Hoffman poured every bit of himself into each performance. From goofy, wild characters like Dusty in Twister to the intimidating bad guy Owen Davian in Mission: Impossible III. Hoffman was a treasure, giving definition to every character he played, no matter how small. Here's a 26-minute Q&A with Hoffman on his career and acting:
Hoffman's most impressive work came from the frequent collaborations with acclaimed filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, including a breakthrough performance in Hard Eight in 1996, and memorable turns in Boogie Nights, Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love. But never was a Hoffman performance stale, no matter who the director or what kind of film. Whether it was the intense, sloppy Sandy Lyle in Along Came Polly in 2004, or pencil-pushing, cleancut characters like Brandt and Mitch in The Big Lebowski and Patch Adams, respectively, both films from 1998.
More recently, Hoffman's work truly showed why he was always destined to be more than a character actor with amazing performances in Doubt, Pirate Radio, The Savages, Charlie Wilson's War, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, The Ides of March, and his first turn as a director with Jack Goes Boating. Hoffman leaves behind a legacy that was cut short far too soon, and this is a loss that will resonate for years to come. The late actor was truly one of the best of his generation, and arguably the best working actor today. Our thoughts go out to his friends and family. Rest in peace.
Update: The early word from officials (via NY Times) is that Philip Seymour Hoffman was found with a needle in his arm at his apartment, hinting at a likely drug overdose. Stay tuned for more details.
30 Comments
1
a terrible loss.
Chris Purdy on Feb 2, 2014
2
dammit! I will miss him! RIP buddy!
Avi on Feb 2, 2014
3
Way too soon, no words...
Neuromancer on Feb 2, 2014
4
Wow. I'm stunned. Another incredible actor gone from this world. Terrible news.
Quanah on Feb 2, 2014
5
Unbelievable. I've watched him make a fantastic career for himself since I first saw him in The Getaway. Goddamn shame. RIP
grimjob on Feb 2, 2014
6
it is hard to take in. an absolute firebrand on screen, you knew that in every single role he would deliver an outstanding performance. his heartbreaking role in Magnolia, the way he stole Charlie Wilson's War completely as soon as he came on, the barely suppressed rage beneath the manufactured surface in The Master, the genuinely nasty streak to his MI: 3 role, and on, and on. 46 - he had so much time to wow us again and again. no more. just awful. RIP.
son_et_lumiere on Feb 2, 2014
7
This is insane.
Reznik on Feb 2, 2014
8
RIP
BreakingChad on Feb 2, 2014
9
Wow...this tragic...RIP. Hope its not drug related...but odds are.
Xerxexx on Feb 2, 2014
10
This really sucks. R.I.P., Philip.
ikkf on Feb 2, 2014
11
true talented actor RIP Philip
Quynh Truong on Feb 2, 2014
12
He was flawless. And I am speechless. What a tragedy.
Nash on Feb 2, 2014
13
Great actor.
Guy who comments on things on Feb 2, 2014
14
My stomach cringes ... My nerve collapses ... My eyes popping ... My breath takes away ... My fever getting high ... My soul dying ... My ears burning ... My comment sucking "Fuck the Luck"
Ehsan Davodi on Feb 2, 2014
15
This is the first shocking death I have about in a while. I had no idea Hoffman had this bad of a drug problem. Such a talented actor.
DAVIDPD on Feb 2, 2014
16
likewise. i saw this on a few newsfeeds and was so shocked i just refused to believe it.
son_et_lumiere on Feb 2, 2014
17
I'll remember him most from Capote and Red Dragon.
OfficialJab on Feb 2, 2014
18
Such sad news truly sad... What a talented man. If the alledged heroin overdose turns out to be true it would just show us one more time that it is so difficult to really know what goes on in someone's life. He had a family and was considered as one of the best actors out there but hey it just wasn't enough.
maytheforce on Feb 2, 2014
19
This simply sucks plain and simple. I can't believe this. I refuse to and yet here it is. Prayers are with his family.
Nathan Williams on Feb 2, 2014
20
He's 46, yet looks much, much older. A great actor who let lethal drugs take over his life. What a shame.
ali3000 on Feb 2, 2014
21
I acknowledge that every one is an individual. Addiction is something that manifests itself differently in everyone it affects. From what I have heard from recovering addicts, it takes hitting rock bottom to realize one's life is not better with drugs in it. Unfortunately, for Mr. Hoffman, bottoming out came at the cost of his own life.
DAVIDPD on Feb 2, 2014
22
I have struggled with Depression for many years now, and it certainly took 'rock bottom' to bring me back up. Not quite the same situation, but very similar. His family will hopefully get plenty of support. He was one of those actors/directors that defined a whole generation of talent.
Zichago on Feb 2, 2014
23
sad day, sad days ... RIP ...
cabo on Feb 2, 2014
24
Massive bummer.
Brian Sleider on Feb 2, 2014
25
not again ,not again first Paul Walker, now this, and philip was truly one of the great actors of our generation. RIP.
lars on Feb 2, 2014
26
Fucking sucks.
Nielsen700 on Feb 2, 2014
27
Before the Devil knows youre dead, my fav film of his, terrible news
Simon Dark on Feb 2, 2014
28
Heartbreaking news! Loved watching this guy's movies and his incredible acting ability. You will be missed.
Rock n Rollllll on Feb 3, 2014
29
Yeah, no good. Will miss his "all in" acting. Stupid heroin / depression. Everything in moderation folks. (though heroin in moderation is like running an Atlas rocket on 1/4 throttle I understand)
avconsumer2 on Feb 3, 2014
30
He was a great actor, don't think he was bad in any of the films I saw him in, even if I didn't like the film, his acting was always on point.
Carpola on Feb 3, 2014
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