I first noticed Philip Seymour Hoffman when I watched the movie, “Scent of a Woman,” a 1992 sleeper hit that starred Al Pacino and introduced Chris O’Donnell, Mr. Hoffman, and Gabrielle Anwar to us. It has since been included in best movies to watch before you die. Since that film, I have watched him in The Big Lebowski, Flawless (as a drag queen teaching Robert de Niro his humanity!), the scary “Talented Mr. Ripley,” all the way to his Oscar-winning portrayal of Truman Capote, as Father Flynn in Doubt, and as the charismatic leader in The Master.

Philip Seymour Hoffman at the piano as Robert De Niro watches in a scene from the film ‘Flawless’, 1999. (Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images)
If there is also one film I found Philip’s portrayal so powerful, it’s also his character in Sidney Lumet’s “Right Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead.” I was exhausted after watching it. What a film!

Right Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead, Theatrical Release Poster, 2007, photo courtesy of Wikipedia
In 2012, Philip further distinguished himself when he performed the lead in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman at the Barrymore Theater . What I would do/pay/cajole/coerce/plead to see his live performance now!
I have been smarting since the news of Tony Soprano’s sudden premature stage exit about six months ago. Ooops! It’s James Gandolfini, actually. It’s hard to separate one persona from the other. However, Mr. Gandolfini has proved himself beyond getting typecast only as a mob boss with his other films.
And now, Philip Seymour Hoffman goes out NOT with a bang but a tragic end tangled with drugs? What a shame!
R.I.P. Philip Seymour Hoffman. We will miss enjoying all your great work. We will enjoy all that you have contributed until February 2014!
Beautiful post.
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very nice tribute post…. well done.
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How many greats do we lose before we make the war on drugs a priority? Maybe then, high school chemistry teachers will find other means to support their families than cooking up some meth in their home labs.
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Scent of a Woman is my all time favorite movie. I started so many drafts after seeing the news of his death and it’s a tough thing to write about. You did a great job.
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I have a VHS and DVD version of Scent! Love the film and the cast. Im saddened by Phil’s untimely passing. Can you imagine the movies he could be in? Endless!
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Another good one lost due to drugs. So sad.
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well said – so sad….
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