Oscar Winner Hoffman dead at 46: Was he the greatest actor of his generation?

We wake this morning to sad news from Hollywood, that Oscar winning actor, Phillip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his apartment in New York, at the age of 46.  An official cause of death has not been confirmed.  Whilst it might not be deemed over 60 news… an actor of this magnitude must be farewelled with grace.  My personal favourite movie of his was Charlie Wilson’s War, but others will remember him for his award winning movie role in Capote among many other films.

In 2005, Hoffman played the title role in Capote, for which he won multiple acting awards including an Academy Award for Best Actor. He received another three Academy Award nominations for his supporting work in Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), Doubt (2008) and The Master (2012). Other critically acclaimed films in recent years have included Owning Mahowny (2003), Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead (2007), The Savages (2007), Synecdoche, New York(2008), Moneyball (2011) and The Ides of March (2011). In 2010, Hoffman made his feature film directorial debut with Jack Goes Boating.

A larger list of his roles best remembered include: March, Doubt, Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Wilson’s War, Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead, Mission: Impossible III, Capote, Along Came Polly, Almost Famous, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Magnolia, Boogie Nights.  The list doesn’t include his tremendous career in theater, a stage where his talents were recognised by reviewers all over America.

Hoffman’s family have already released the following statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone. This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers.”

According to Twitter reports, actor Hoffman had just seven days of filming left in his upcoming movie, part two of The Hunger Games, and will no doubt leave a gaping hole.

Enjoy this clip from Charlie Wilson’s War, where there was no doubt he was a fantastic actor in a non-traditional role.  

The outpouring on Twitter under the handle #phillipseymourhoffman is beautiful and devastating at the same time.