Those are the hardest words I’ve ever typed as a blogger. Philip Seymour Hoffman has inexplicably passed away at 46 after an apparent drug overdose. Philip Seymour Hoffman was my acting idol. I could only wish to one day be as talented, and as acclaimed as him. And he did it all in 46 short years. Acting, directing, producing, he was a juggernaut in the industry.
As I write this RIP for him, I’m watching Mission Impossible III, which threw him into an interesting villain role. His IMDb profile is already updated. 1967-2014. He graduated from Tisch School Of The Arts with a BFA in Drama in 1989. I remember first noticing Hoffman in 1996′s Twister, as one of the gang chasing tornadoes. Hollywood would really take notice the following year with Boogie Nights, which lead to other breakthrough roles in The Big Lebowski, Patch Adams, Flawless, Magnolia, and The Talented Mr Ripley. Critically acclaimed roles in State and Main, Almost Famous, Punch Drunk Love, Red Dragon, The 25th Hour, and Cold Mountain paved the way for his Oscar win for Capote in 2005. He would later be nominated 3 more times for Charlie Wilson’s War, Doubt, and The Master.
My personal favorite is Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead. A little seen, but terrific film. I’d recommend that if you’re looking for your Philip Seymour Hoffman tribute film.
Hoffman immersed himself in every character. He was enigmatic. He was impossible to look away from. He could speak the wordiest monologues, or control a scene with a set of looks. It’s probably why he rarely ever had a film “rotten” on the tomatometer. In fact, he hasn’t “starred” in a rotten film since 2002 (or 2004 if you count his large supporting role in Along Came Polly).
To say he will be missed is an understatement. Hoffman’s absence from film will be felt. I feel it now, as many film lovers, and aspiring actors are feeling it.
“Success isn’t what makes you happy. It really isn’t. Success is doing what makes you happy and doing good work and hopefully having a fruitful life. If I’ve felt like I’ve done good work, that makes me happy. The success part of it is all gravy.”- Philip Seymour Hoffman
