Played a spectacular version of Truman Capote in the movie based on his life...and Pirate Radio...

He apparently had a history of drug addiction (heroin I believe) and checked himself into rehab just last year.

I think its another case of falling off the wagon and believing you have the same tolerance for the substance you once gave up...

but not surprising really. He seem to take on roles so personally and he played some really messed up roles. You could see the inner sadness in him in many of the roles he did.

I hope he found peace.

RIP

You may have heard of a few little movies like, oh, I dunno

Scent of a Woman (he's the bad guy)
The Talented Mr. Ripley
the Big Lebowski
Mission Impossible 3
Capote (he won a little-known award for his portrayal of Truman Capote - it's called the Academy Award for Best Actor, also called an Oscar...I know, very obscure)
Moneyball
The Master

etc., etc. That's just off the top of my head.

Jesus. That's your response?

But I do recognize him.

Often chose very interesting projects, and brought great humanity to them. Super talented actor.

Seems to have done a lot since he got started in the 90's, just nothing that I'd find interesting.

Shame, really.

I know my coworkers would all be like "WHO?!" and maybe only recognize him from Hunger Games.

The budget for camera work and special effects in my mind is infinite, and I can cast any actor alive or dead to play characters.

reach or transport me to places beyond my ability to imagine. Like other people sometimes do. And generally Hoffman went for great scripts with very talented supporting casts. The kind that don't sacrifice talent for great looking lead actors. Amazing to have a career like that these days. All too rare.

All too rare in entertainers in general. Hats off to him.

Phoenix's characters, both fighting back their demons and flailing for anything to give them strength was quite powerful to see.
A lot of food for thought there, which surprised me because I knew bit too much about Scientology and it's beginnings. But it was really interesting to see their take on this whole struggle for identity, for answers, for belonging. How shooting for normalcy can feel like not enough, so you get yourself a bit crazy reaching for more. And get lost in that.

Heard so much about his talent,

But I think that was his best performance.

I first saw him in a 1996 film, Hard Eight. He's only in screen for 5-10 minutes, taunting Philip Baker Hall over a craps table, but he absolutely won me over with that performance. Mr. Hall is also terrific in that movie, as is John C. Reilly and Samuel Jackson. I highly recommend it.

Twister.

It's not like the poster said "horror movies" or "westerns."

Look at the range, just in this list:

Scent of a Woman -- Coming of Age/Dramedy
The Talented Mr. Ripley -- Suspense/Thriller
The Big Lebowski -- Quirky Cult Comedy
Mission Impossible 3 -- Blockbuster Action
Capote -- Biography
Moneyball -- Sports Flick
The Master -- Indie Drama

You just eliminated some heavy hitting genres. What the heck IS your cup of tea?

Some sci-fi / fantasy, on occasion, on cable. There hasn't been a movie that I 'have to see' so badly to make me hit a theater in 15 or so years. I think the last time I was in a theater was for the first Lord of the Rings movie, and that was a work sponsored event.

I'll read damned near any genre, but I don't spend much money on someone else's interpretation when I can do much better in my head.

and even if so, why stop at the cinema? Why read someone else's written interpretation of a story, when you can do much better in your head?

As to your last sentence.. don't strain yourself, that's quite a stretch.

The special effects, dramatic scores, and acting in my mind are far beyond what anyone has ever put to film. My imagination isn't limited as to budget, length, or casting.

was in Twister. Played a somewhat goofy character. But you could see the talent that would later be evident in the roles you mentioned. Damn!

He was a great actor, without doubt. He did great work.

I always think of him in that movie.

just about everything I ever saw him in..He always stood out, and frankly, this shit is really pissing me off.

It may seem a strange reaction, but I loved this guy, loved his work..He was a national treasure, IMO,

and as a Boomer, I've been seeing this continued tragic WASTE go on and on and on and on...

He was amazing in that. As a loony, but brilliant CIA agent.

Based on true story. With Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, and Ned Beatty.

He was destined to be a giant...

Artists! What can you do?

Agree re: the shitty response.

and I'm actually angry that he did this to himself, however unwittingly.

He was at the top of his game and he will be greatly missed.

I understand about the anger -- he had young children. I guess you never know what sort of demons a person is dealing with.

It's the first time I took notice of him, but definitely not the last.

I'm glad someone understands the anger. His family, of course, are hardest hit, but I'd bet I'm not alone,
especially among his fans. I did, of course, remind myself of the truism you've stated about no one knowing
the inner demons others battle.

Something else I learned mitigates it too, and that's that he was addicted at a young age and then kicked it in his
twenties and stayed CLEAN for at least twenty years before starting again. That shows that he did have discipline
and some respect for himself and his talent. I'm hoping we'll find out what may have triggered his relapse -- that
would help too.

Oh well. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings with me, SMC..We've lost another great one, damn it,
and we will miss him.

which is an awesome and dark and strange weird movie but a lot of people just hate it. I loved it.

Damn fine actor. Can't remember being disappointed with any of his roles.

I shall watch it as a tribute tonight.

I was startled to learn of death. I had no idea he was a heroin addict. I'm going to miss his great talent.

above it all to recognize any name from popular culture.

particularly when the news is of death.

I'll admit I've done it a couple of times with regard to politics, then realized it was a total dick thing to do. So I stopped.

It's very odd how people do that.

Its like those people who go on a thread to say "I couldn't care less about this topic". Why in dog's name would you go out of your way to comment then? I really don't get people like that...makes me ever so slightly nuts.

to turn out some fantastic performances that always pushed the edges and never, ever were predictable. He was honestly a great talent, something of a younger and even more intense John Malkovich, and this is just such a shitty loss. He's been excellent in every film he's been in, and the list includes just about every great film of the past two and a half decades, from Scent of a Woman (one of his very first films, in which he stole scenes with his outstanding character-acting from the hyperventilating Al Pacino), the cult favorite The Big Lebowski, his career-making turn as music-journalist-icon Lester Bangs in Almost Famous...on and on.

His filmography is frankly dazzling -- there are too many to list from imdb but here is a selection. If you don't know him you missed out on one of the few truly great actors of the past twenty years. He was a rare type in Hollywood -- a fabulously talented, REAL actor, who did not use looks or celebrity to get roles, who avoided fame and all of its obnoxious trappings to live a very quiet life. His death, and what must have been a terrible addiction, are tragedies. Truly.

The Hunger Games franchise
The Master (he portrayed the L. Ron Hubbard character) 2012
Moneyball (2011)
The Ides of March (2011)
Pirate Radio (2009)
Doubt (2008) -- one of his many outstanding performances.
Charlie Wilson's War (2007)
Mission Impossible III (2006)
Capote (2005) he won the academy award for this film
Cold Mountain (2003)
25th Hour (2002)
Almost Famous (2000)
State and Main (2000)
The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) he is the best part of the film
Magnolia (1999)
The Big Lebowski (1998)
Boogie Nights (1997)
When a Man loves a Woman (1994)
Scent of a Woman (1993)

Definitely one of those performances that make you sit up and take notice. I'd give mixed reviews to "The Savages" with Laura Linney, but damn, he did a good job with the character he played.

but have seen Capote (and a couple of others he did that are not in your list, none of which have stuff blowing up.) I think I'll put Capote up on my netflix queue to see it again

(Nice SCTV reference by the way. "He blowed up real good!&quot

However, I would also ask "WHO ?" of the sub-thread poster, because, despite a post-count of over 10k, I don't recognize the username at all.

He will be missed

RIP

He was a superb actor who, if you saw him, you'd know because of how many support roles he does in big movies. Never mind his leading roles in smaller budget movies (that often win awards).

Lost a good one today. RIP.

He was by far one of the best actors of his generation (or any really) -- an Osacr winner and just a great talent. And now his kids will not have their father. Ugh.

Wonderful actor. May he rest in peace.

Sad.

Terrible news.

TYY

Wonder if they finished his scenes.

Still filming the last one, due out in 11/2015. Given post-production schedules, I'm hoping they had filmed most of his stuff. He was found in NYC and the movie's being filmed in Georgia, so his part may have wrapped.

One of my favorites.

What a tragedy for all who know him.

Until I hear from a reputable source, I find this claim suspect.

Meanwhile, Dickhead Cheney lives with another's heart beating in his chest. Talk about "fucked up"...

Is not suspected.

I hope this isn't true

that's so much better than RIP, which I personally have issues with.



Cher

He was an artist of great heart and soul. I am sincerely shocked by this. The world changes. Fuck.

Sigh........

Because life's too short and there's no now to be wasted.

Peace to you too.

Great actor

I has a Sad.

Such a great talent. One of the best actors of my generation IMHO.

And not at all a puffed-up celebrity like so many others. And he had young children. Condolences to his family...

When you saw him on screen, he *was* the character he was playing, not Philip Seymour Hoffman. So many actors are just themselves in any role, not PSH.

He walked around his Manhattan neighborhood like the average person.

good for them. I have to shake my head at the no-talents out there (Kardashians!) acting as if they are royalty. I've seen pics of Mr. Hoffman pushing strollers, biking with his son, trick-or-treating... he looked like any "normal" Dad. A normal Dad who just happened to be incredibly skilled at his craft. And I think like that with James Gandolfini, he was really respected by his peers. And by his fans. What a waste.

I thought he was an awesome talent and even if he wasn't, still so sad.

He was an amazing actor

My heart goes out to those that loved him!

Loved him in Owning Mahoney.

Sid

I wonder if he was privately involved in something that led to this. I wonder if he really ODed. He had a lot going on and this sounds kind of suspect.

...like so many creative people who've gone before him.

There's been a recent epidemic of overdose deaths from fentanyl laced heroin (China White). He was found with the needle still in his arm. I don't doubt how he died, I just hate to think he may have been a victim of this latest deadly drug cocktail.

TYY

I didn't know that about him, don't follow the personal lives of most famed persons... unless personally acquainted. I have heard about the China White stuff (though not by name). How sad. Never had an inclination to use needles, they scare me, I've known too many in my past who had that problem though.

Thanks for the info. Geeze.

May he rest in peace.

draw you right into his characters.

This is awful, such a waste.

RIP

one of my favorites - he brought Truman Capote to life

loved him in The Late Quartet

sad . . .

while young, brilliant artists get taken down by addiction or more traditional forms of disease every single day. I am not naming names with the old evil jackasses but you can imagine.

At least, that's what I think.

While he was incredible as the Joker in the Dark Knight, preparing for the role nearly drove him to the brink of insanity. Some times when actors really get into their characters like that it drives them to do crazy things that they normally wouldn't do.

absolutely terrific movie -

damn . . . this is sad

Hoffman does the voice of Max; its brilliant (I have a weak spot for claymation anything...)

St Luke in the Fields Manhattan.

What a fucking waste. Condolences to his family.

and now this man. Evil damn drug.

I really liked that movie.

He will be missed.

through drug overdoses or alcoholism.

Think about how many brilliant lights in their respective fields of endeavor blink out early because something in their souls drives them to self-destruction.

It's like they burn too brightly to last...

I'm so sorry to hear this. May his journey be gentle.