Philip Seymour-Hoffman-Obituary

Philip Seymour Hoffman

1967-2014

Obituary

NEW YORK (AP) — Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won the Oscar for best actor in 2006 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote in "Capote" and created a gallery of other vivid characters, many of them slovenly and slightly dissipated figures, was found dead Sunday in his apartment with what law enforcement officials said was a syringe in his arm. He was 46.

The two officials told The Associated Press that glassine envelopes containing what was believed to be heroin were also found with the actor.

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The law enforcement officials, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk about the evidence at the scene, said the cause of death was believed to be a drug overdose.

Hoffman — no matinee-idol figure with his lumpy build and limp blond hair — made his career mostly as a character actor, and was one of the most prolific in the business, plying his craft with a rumpled naturalism that also made him one of the most admired performers of his generation.

The stage-trained actor was nominated for Academy Awards four times in all: for "Capote," ''The Master," ''Doubt" and "Charlie Wilson's War." He also received three Tony nominations for his work on Broadway.

Hoffman spoke candidly over the years about past struggles with drug addiction. After 23 years sober, he admitted in interviews last year to falling off the wagon and developing a heroin problem that led to a stint in rehab.

The law enforcement officials said Hoffman's body was discovered in a bathroom at his Greenwich Village apartment by a friend who made the 911 call and his assistant.

Late Sunday, a police crime-scene van was parked out front, and technicians carrying brown paper bags went in and out. Police kept a growing crowd of onlookers back. A single red daisy had been placed in front of the lobby door.

Hoffman's family called the news "tragic and sudden."

"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone," the family said in a statement.

In one of his earliest roles, he played a spoiled prep school student in "Scent of a Woman" in 1992. One of his breakthroughs came as a gay member of a porno film crew in "Boogie Nights," one of several movies directed by Paul Thomas Anderson that he would eventually appear in.

He often played comic, slightly off-kilter characters in movies like "Along Came Polly," ''The Big Lebowski" and "Almost Famous."

More recently, he was Plutarch Heavensbee in "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" and was reprising that role in the two-part sequel, "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay," which is in the works. And in "Moneyball," he played Art Howe, the grumpy manager of the Oakland Athletics who resisted new thinking about baseball talent.

Just weeks ago, Showtime announced Hoffman would star in "Happyish," a new comedy series about a middle-aged man's pursuit of happiness.

He was nominated for the 2013 Academy Award for best supporting actor for his role in "The Master" as the charismatic leader of a religious movement. The film, partly inspired by the life of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, reunited the actor with Anderson.

He also received a 2009 best-supporting nomination for "Doubt," as a priest who comes under suspicion because of his relationship with a boy, and a best supporting actor nomination for "Charlie Wilson's War," as a CIA officer.

Born in 1967 in Fairport, N.Y., Hoffman was interested in acting from an early age, mesmerized at 12 by a local production of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons." He studied theater as a teenager with the New York State Summer School of the Arts and the Circle in the Square Theatre. He then majored in drama at New York University.

In his Oscar acceptance speech for "Capote," he thanked his mother for raising him and and his three siblings alone, and for taking him to his first play. Hoffman's parents divorced when he was 9.

With a versatility and discipline more common among British performers than Americans, he could seemingly take on any role, large or small, loathsome or sympathetic, and seemed to be utterly lacking in vanity.

On Broadway, he took on ambitious roles like Willy Loman in "Death of a Salesman," Jamie in "Long Day's Journey Into Night" and both leads in "True West." All three performances were Tony nominated.

His 2012 performance in "Death of a Salesman" was praised as "heartbreaking" by AP theater critic Mark Kennedy.

"Hoffman is only 44, but he nevertheless sags in his brokenness like a man closer to retirement age, lugging about his sample cases filled with his self-denial and disillusionment," Kennedy wrote. "His fraying connection to reality is pronounced in this production, with Hoffman quick to anger and a hard edge emerging from his babbling."

Two films starring Hoffman premiered last month at the Sundance Film Festival: the espionage thriller "A Most Wanted Man," directed by Anton Corbijn, and "God's Pocket," the directorial debut of John Slattery.

Hoffman is survived by his partner of 15 years, Mimi O'Donnell, and their three children.

JAKE COYLE, Associated Press TOM HAYS, Associated Press

Associated Press writer Deepti Hajela and AP National Writer Hillel Italie contributed to this report from New York.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Godspeed Philip, a sadly short and troubled life. A wonderful actor, and wonderful, wonderful film memories. Unforgettable. Thank you Philip, and your issues are no more.

He was a fantastic actor and I'm sure a sweet, lovable man. We just watched Twister again and I was taken back to how young he was. He was brilliant in Capote. He wasn't himself. He WAS Capote. He is missed. My deepest regards to his family who miss him very much, I'm sure.

Hi How are you I am writing a late condolence. I give my condolences to his family. I loved his movies etc. I will miss him. He seemed like a nice guy. Take care bye.

If I had a once of one's talent, I would have been the happiest person on earth. Your talent was AWESOME! IT takes years to find folks with your qualities .....BRILLIANCE AT ITS BEST.....MISSING YOU...MISSING YOU....RIP

Brilliant actor. Never forgotten, Rest in Peace sir.

:(

You are a Light

I haveloved everything you have done, since the first time I saw you. I was shocked and saddened when I finaly saw Mockingjay Part 1 and at the end there was a memorium to you. I rarely watch or read the news because it's too depressing.I missed your passing by a while. I will miss your wonderful face. I thank you for the unforgetable entertainment.

I didn't know Phil except through his phenomenal work. He was and is my favourite actor. I think of him often. His expressive physicality and range as an actor were breathtaking. As we approach the first anniversary of his utterly tragic death, he will never be forgotten. I hope that his children and partner will treasure the happy memories they have of him- he always seemed like a wonderful and caring Dad. Much love and light to you