Philip Seymour Hoffman
- Born:
- July 23, 1967, Fairport, New York, USA
- Died:
- February 2, 2014, New York City, New York, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Actor, Director, Producer
Early Life and Education
- Born to Marilyn Louise (née O'Connor), a judge and teacher, and Gordon Stowell Hoffman, a Xerox executive.
- Graduated from Fairport High School, where he was active in sports and drama.
- Attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, graduating with a BFA in Drama in 1989.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his professional acting career in the early 1990s, appearing in television and independent films.
- Gained wider recognition for his roles in films like Boogie Nights (1997) and The Big Lebowski (1998).
- Won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote in Capote (2005).
- Received three additional Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor: Doubt (2008), The Master (2012), and Charlie Wilson's War (2007).
- Acclaimed for his stage work, including performances in Broadway productions of True West, Long Day's Journey into Night, and Death of a Salesman.
- Directed several stage productions with the Labyrinth Theater Company, where he served as artistic director.
Notable Works
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Scent of a Woman | George Willis, Jr. |
| 1996 | Twister | Dustin Davis |
| 1997 | Boogie Nights | Scotty J. |
| 1998 | The Big Lebowski | Brandt |
| 1999 | Magnolia | Phil Parma |
| 2000 | Almost Famous | Lester Bangs |
| 2002 | Punch-Drunk Love | Dean Trumbell |
| 2005 | Capote | Truman Capote |
| 2007 | Charlie Wilson's War | Gust Avrakotos |
| 2008 | Doubt | Father Brendan Flynn |
| 2012 | The Master | Lancaster Dodd |
| 2013 | The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | Plutarch Heavensbee |
Stage Work (Selected)
- True West (Broadway, 2000)
- Long Day's Journey into Night (Broadway, 2003)
- Death of a Salesman (Broadway, 2012)
Legacy and Impact
Philip Seymour Hoffman was a highly respected and versatile actor known for his commitment to his craft and his ability to embody a wide range of characters. His performances, both on stage and screen, were marked by depth, nuance, and emotional honesty, solidifying his place as one of the most significant actors of his generation. This biography of Philip Seymour Hoffman recognizes the impact he had on the acting world.