Last week saw the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose body was found in his New York home last Sunday after an apparent drug overdose. He was 46.
The actor has spoken in the past about his battle with addiction, stating that he entered rehab in his early twenties, staying sober for over two decades before suffering a relapse last year.
Hoffman was one of the most critically lauded actors of recent times, making his name in the likes of The Talented Mr Ripley, Boogie Nights, Almost Famous and The Big Lebowski, before going on to win a best actor Oscar in 2005 for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote.
He used his extraordinary talent to carve a fascinating and hugely varied career, giving impressive turns in dramas, comedies blockbusters and independent films.
His latest role was in the Hunger Games franchise, starring as the Head Gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee, though one of his latest films, God’s Pocket was shown at last months Sundance Film Festival.
With two Tony Award nominations to his name for his work on Broadway, one Oscar Win and three Best Supporting Actor nominations (his latest for The Master, just last year) he’ll surely be remembered as one of the greatest character actors of our time.
“Sometimes it’s hard to say no. Ultimately, if you stick to your guns, you have the career that you want. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good payday and I’ll do films for fun. But ultimately my main goal is to do good work. If it doesn’t pay well, so be it.”
Philip Seymour Hoffman, 1967-2014.