Tribute: Philip Seymour Hoffman
One of my favourite actors and, most certainly, one the very finest actors of his generation, Philip Seymour Hoffman is without doubt a true talent. His commitment to his craft was always plain to see as he threw himself into every role he played, no matter how small. His tragic and untimely death on February 2nd 2014, is a sore loss for cinema and theatre but we can at least be thankful that he’s left us with some legendary characters and performances. The following clips include a selection of some of his best moments.
Gus Avrakotos in
Charlie Wilson’s War
Scotty J in
Boogie Nights
Young Craps Player in
Hard Eight
Father Brendan Flynn in
Doubt
Lester Bangs in
Almost Famous
Lancaster Dodd in
The Master
Andy in
Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead
Rusty in
Flawless
Sandy Lyle in
Along Came Polly
Dean Trumbell in
Punch Drunk Love
Truman Capote in
Capote
Allen in
Happiness
Brandt in
The Big Lebowski
Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014)
February 3, 2014 at 11:38 pm
What a range of roles and what an actor. Fine tribute, Mark.
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February 4, 2014 at 2:57 pm
Thanks Michael. Such a great actor that these little clips don’t even scratch the surface.
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February 4, 2014 at 12:19 am
Glad you’re doing a tribute too, Mark! It’s incredible how varied his filmography is.
I wish I had seen Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead when it was still on Netflix streaming, it’s been yanked away now. But
Pirate Radio, Jack Goes Boating and Capote are on Amazon Instant Video so my hubby n I are hoping to catch more of his films.
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February 4, 2014 at 2:59 pm
I’ve seen most of his films Ruth and you’re in for a real treat with some of those you mention. Jack Goes Boating was a lovely little directorial debut, Capote is another masterclass in acting and Before the Devil is just superb. I loved that movie and Hoffman was, once again, very intense.
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February 4, 2014 at 1:25 am
He was one of the finest actors of his generation and it’s tragic to see him go. Hoffman’s work with Paul Thomas Anderson is outstanding and I’d argue his performance in The Master is his best.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Most definitely, man. I find it hard to choose a favourite performance. The Master is up there with the best but Doubt, Charlie Wilson’s War and Boogie Nights always come back to me. Thought he was marvellous in Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead too. Like I say, far too many to choose from.
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February 4, 2014 at 7:29 am
Nice selection of clips man. What a loss. For me, his turns in Doubt and Charlie Wilson’s War were his best (I do have a couple of gaps in his filmography though)
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February 4, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Cheers man. Doubt and Charlie Wilson are two of my favourites too but it’s really difficult to single particular ones out when there were so many. He never have a bad performance.
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February 4, 2014 at 8:33 am
One of my favourite actors. He will be greatly missed. Film just won’t be the same 😦
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February 4, 2014 at 3:06 pm
Same here, man. He will be sorely missed and films will certainly be lacking without his contribution.
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February 4, 2014 at 9:18 am
Lovely tribute mate. Not much I can add to what’s already been said to be honest, it’s just a huge, huge loss. Still doesn’t feel real to be honest.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:08 pm
I hear you, Chris. What can you say? I think as film fans we’re all feeling the loss of this great performer. Truly one of the very best and he proved that in a relatively short time. 46 years old, man. He had years left in him. 😦
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February 4, 2014 at 9:57 am
Such a tragic loss to cinema (and, of course, to his friends and family). There are so many lauded performances of his I’m yet to see, to the point where I want to drag them out …as we won’t get another 😦
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February 4, 2014 at 3:11 pm
It certainly is a loss Dave. Everyone always says things like he was a real favourite but he genuinely was for me. He has been one of my top five actors for years now. He really was top class stuff. Relish those performances you’ve yet to see, man. I’ve a few to get to myself but I’ve seen the majority of his film so I’m gutted that I’m left with only a few that will be fresh.
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February 4, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Flawless. Thanks for highlighting this. Incredible acting and showed him in a leading role. Was so sad to her the news. A big loss.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:12 pm
He was marvellous in Flawless. To hold court with DeNiro is no easy task but Hoffman could do it and then some. The guy was the real deal, man.
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February 4, 2014 at 2:12 pm
Lovely tribute, I’m so saddened at his death. The world has lost an outstanding actor.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:13 pm
I feel the exact same way Vinnie. I’ve been going over some of his best moments on youtube and there’s really just too many to mention. Very sad loss.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:08 pm
I’ve just watched the clips from the four or five films above that I haven’t actually seen; you can see here everything you need to know about the man. His talent will be sadly missed.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:15 pm
Sadly missed indeed Stu. Can you ever think of a below par performance? He simply didn’t provide one. Every time he tackled a role, he gave it his all. That’s what made him the talent that he was and that’s also what makes him such a tragic loss.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:45 pm
He stole every film he was in.
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February 4, 2014 at 3:46 pm
Bold statement Abbi but one I can’t argue with. 🙂
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February 4, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Such a wonderful selection, really shows how versatile he was. I saw Along Came Polly yesterday and my God the way he delivered the sharted line was hilarious.
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February 4, 2014 at 5:01 pm
Yeah, and there’s still plenty more on top of this. Love that scene from Along Came Polly, Sati. Hoffman’s delivery is just perfect.
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February 4, 2014 at 4:31 pm
An outstanding actor. A great tribute Mark, some of his best performances: The Big Lebowski, Boogie Nights etc.
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February 4, 2014 at 5:02 pm
Too many to mention Chris. A real favourite of mine and I’m really gutted that we’ll see no more of him. Really shite news, man.
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February 4, 2014 at 7:45 pm
Great celebration of his work, Mark. An incredible talent, so sadly cut short.
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February 4, 2014 at 7:59 pm
Cheers Dan. He certainly was an incredible actor who managed to do so much in so little time. Even his smaller roles seemed larger than what they were.
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February 4, 2014 at 8:27 pm
Lovely tribute Mark. Still devastating.
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February 4, 2014 at 9:00 pm
Cheers Mark! I feel the same, man. Totally gutted.
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February 4, 2014 at 9:22 pm
He really is an actor who always elevated anything he was in, and never once gave a bad performance that I saw. Truly a shame. 😦
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February 4, 2014 at 11:51 pm
Absolutely Chris. A truly great actor that was so good that you always knew you’d get quality from him. His name may not have been headlining a lot of movies but his appearance would always make it worthwhile.
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February 4, 2014 at 9:30 pm
I couldn’t quite believe the news when I got it, he didnt strike me as the type. However, looking further into his history I now releasie it was a lengthy battle with addiction. Such a shame, such a loss, the industry has truly lost one of its greats. 😦
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February 4, 2014 at 11:55 pm
I knew nothing of his addictions Allan but on reflection, it shows in a lot of his tortured performances. I think a lot of the characters he played, had a little of him in them. That’s why he was so good and so natural. I’ll really miss this man’s contribution to acting. 😦
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February 5, 2014 at 5:28 am
Such epic acting in each of these scenes… love it. And hate it for what sparked this post… RIP
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February 5, 2014 at 8:34 am
I hear you, man. I’m saddened that I even had to do a post like this. 😦
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February 5, 2014 at 7:59 am
This really was a dreadful loss. He was a massively talented actor… great selections you have up here too Mark!
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February 5, 2014 at 8:37 am
One of the best Zoe and I’m not just saying that because he’s gone. He’s been a favourite of mine for years now. Hard to believe we won’t see this guy again. 😦
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February 5, 2014 at 8:41 am
😦 It really sucks. Every now and then we are truly robbed of a great!
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February 5, 2014 at 8:42 am
Indeed. Gandolfini and then Hoffman is a bitter pill though, eh? Two great actors.
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February 5, 2014 at 8:43 am
Definitely 😦
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February 6, 2014 at 1:40 am
He was the best working actor in the business. Such a devastating loss.
Very nice tribute, Mark.
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February 6, 2014 at 9:56 am
Definitely one of the very best Eric. His presence alone elevated even the poorer films he was involved in. 😦
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May 15, 2014 at 8:21 pm
“Excellent stuff here Mark. Philip Seymour Hoffman was a creative genius and absolute legend in my opinion. Such a bloody damn shame. Awesome site..I love your postings.”
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May 16, 2014 at 4:28 pm
I couldn’t agree more, Chris. Absolutely the finest actor of his generation and one of my personal favourites. I was gutted when I heard the news of his death. Thanks for dropping in and commenting my friend. It’s always great to see new faces and hear new opinions. 🙂
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May 15, 2014 at 8:34 pm
Reblogged this on ChrisMentillo.com and commented:
Found A Wonderful Tribute to …
“Philip Seymour Hoffman on one of my friend’s web, “Mark Walker.”
Phil was a creative genius and absolute legend in my opinion. Such a bloody damn shame.”
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May 16, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Thanks a lot for the reblog, man! I appreciate that very much. 🙂
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