By now most of the country is aware of the shocking news that American actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died yesterday of a suspected heroin overdose at the young age of 46.

The sad news seemed to stun everyone, fans of his work were in disbelief and friends and colleagues in the film industry have been flooding the internet and social media with tributes.

Hoffman was one of those rare actors who was more than able to play the lead and carry a film but he was just as likely to play a lesser role in as a character part and steal every scene.
There may be some people that don’t recognise the name but will certainly know of his work. Without the risk of being boring here is a reminder of some of the films that he appeared in and there’s something here for everybody.

Boogie Nights (1997) Scotty J.
The Big Lebowski (1998) Brandt
The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) Freddie Miles
Magnolia (1999) Phil Parma
Patch Adams (1999) Mitch
Almost Famous (2000) Rock Critic Lester Bangs
Red Dragon (2002) Freddie Lounds
Cold Mountain (2003) American Civil War epic, Reverend Veasey
Along Came Polly (2004) Rom Com
Capote (2005) Truman Capote, Best Actor Oscar Winner
Mission Impossible III (2006) Owen Davian
Charlie Wilsons War (2007) Political drama, Gus Avrakotos
Doubt (2008) Father Brennan Flynn
The Boat That Rocked (2009) The Count
The Ides of March (201) Paul Zara, WW2 ensemble
The Master (2012) Evangelist Lancaster Dodd
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)  Plutarch Heavensbee

I wouldn’t normally include such large list of film credits (This is only half the films he has made) but I just wanted to share how much of a loss he is to the movie going public all over the world.

Hoffman, won the best actor Oscar for portraying the flamboyant novelist Truman Capote in “Capote” in 2005. Most recently Hoffman attended the Sundance Film Festival to promote his new films “God’s Pocket” and Anton Corbin’s “A Most Wanted Man.”
He was also shooting the “Hunger Games” follow-ups “Mockingjay  Part 1″ and “Part 2″ in Atlanta and apparently his scenes shot so far will remain in the film as his last ever performance.

He was also an accomplished stage actor and received two Tony nominations for his work on the stage in “True West” and “Long Day’s Journey Into Night.”
Hoffman also starred in an Off-Broadway play by Bob Glaudini called ‘Jack Goes Boating’ about two dysfunctional couples and their doomed relationships. Hoffman also produced the play along with fellow actor John Ortiz and the pair transferred the play onto the big screen in 2010. It was while he was in London promoting the film that I was lucky enough to be one of the small band of film critics to interview him at the FDA Cinema Showcase. He didn’t disappoint. Mr Hoffman was extremely courteous and charming and looked you directly in the eye as if you were in a one to one meeting.

Last year, Hoffman revealed that he had been addicted to the heroin when he was younger but had been clean for over 20 years. He had also just completed a 10-day substance abuse program for heroin.

My Philip Seymour Hoffman recommendations are: Charlie Wilson’s War (with Tom Hanks), The Boat That Rocked (directed by Richard Curtis), Along Came Polly (Rom com with Ben Stiller and Jennifer Aniston), Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr Ripley (both with Jude Law).


He is survived by his partner Mimi O’Donnell and three children.