Philip Seymour Hoffman: Dead at 46

I'm sure by now you've heard the news, my fellow movie lovers: Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has died. At last check, reports indicated that Hoffman died of a possible drug overdose. He was found in his apartment in New York's West Village. And of course, in coming days, we'll here more and more details about Hoffman's passing. It's tragic. It's a huge loss for the acting community, and for those of us who absolutely adored the man's talents. Philip Seymour Hoffman was just 46 years old.

I'm not going to spend a lot of time here discussing the specifics of Philip Seymour Hoffman's death, except to say that yes, he did have a history of addiction. I worried about that each time reports surfaced that he might be in trouble. No, I'd like to focus instead on Hoffman's extraordinary career.

I cannot personally think of any film Philip Seymour Hoffman was in, even the smaller roles, where he didn't completely captivate me. I was so blown away by his performance in Capote (which won him a Best Actor Academy Award, and rightly so), that one week later, when we adopted our beloved dog, Chico, at a local shelter, I named him Chico Seymour Hoffman. I thought he needed a sophisticated name, and one which reflected his intelligence and character.

If you'd like a fantastic read about Philip Seymour Hoffman's incredible acting style and abilities, be sure to check out this New York Magazine piece from 2008. From Broadway to the big screen, Hoffman was fearless. And yes, he was without question one of the best character actors of our time. Meryl Streep gives him (deserved) high praise, explaining, at least to some degree, how and why Hoffman was able to take on such memorable roles and pull them off so well.

I suppose I'd be here all day if I tried to mention every single one of my favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman roles, but I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the ones that moved me the most.

Good-looking people don't have any spine. Their art never lasts. They get the girls, but we're smarter.

The first film that came to mind: Almost Famous. Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of legendary rock critic Lester Bangs was just so memorable. Sure, he had bigger roles in other films, but this remains my favorite. He stole every single scene he was in, and had so many memorable quotes I still don't know them all by heart - and I've seen the movie dozens of times. To young writer William, Lester Bangs is a mentor. This particular scene stands out to me. PSH, as Bangs, explains that while they aren't the most popular kids in school, it doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things:

Almost Famous (2/9) Movie CLIP - Lester Bangs (2000) HD

Other favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman roles of mine include Truman Capote in 2005's Capote (I've already mentioned I named my dog after him after seeing, so you know I loved this one), Lancaster Dodd in 2012's The Master, Caden Cotard in Synecdoche, New York (you must see this if you haven't already), Scotty J. in 1997's Boogie Nights, Freddie in 1999's The Talented Mr. Ripley, Phip Parma in 1999's Magnolia, and Father Flynn in 2008's Doubt. FYI: In the NY Mag piece I referenced earlier, Hoffman is asked if he believes Flynn was guilty or innocent. His response is nothing short of brilliant.

And I should also mention a lesser-known Philip Seymour Hoffman film, one he directed and starred in: 2010's Jack Goes Boating. Was it a perfect film? No, but oh the acting is incredible. It's a heartfelt, moving story that, to me, stood out far and above other so-called rom-coms. I'm sure it'll be lost in the fray as everyone focuses on Hoffman's most critically acclaimed roles in coming weeks, but I wanted to mention it here. It's a must watch for Hoffman fans.

Just a few days ago I was thrilled to learn that Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhall had been cast to star in Philip Seymour Hoffman's sophomore directorial effort, the drama Ezekiel Moss. To say that his life was cut far too short is a huge understatement. I was hoping to grow old along with Hoffman, enjoying his films - both in front of, and behind the camera - for the next several decades. I'm eternally grateful for the body of work he leaves behind, but I feel an overwhelming sense of loss right now, for what will never come.

Rest in peace, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Your ardent fans, including me, will miss you forever.

What was your favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman movie? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. I think we're all in shock at the moment, so when you have a chance to gather your thoughts, I'd love to hear from you.

Photos courtesy of EW.com and Collider