Prolific and versatile actor dies of drug relapse

Beginning in the early 90s, Hoffman was a recognisable face in various supporting roles. Noted for his collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson, Hoffman appeared in five of Anderson’s six films including ‘Boogie Nights’ and ‘The Master’.

It was for his uncanny turn as novelist Truman Capote in 2005’s ‘Capote’, that Hoffman was awarded the Oscar for Best Actor. Over the next few years he would be nominated a further three times and receive praise for performances in films like ‘Synecdoche, New York’ and ‘Doubt’.

He last appeared in Anton Corbijn’s ‘A Most Wanted Man’, which debuted three weeks ago at the Sundance Film Festival. His final three films including both parts of ‘The Hunger Games: Mockingjay’, a role which brought him to a younger audience, will be released posthumously.

Hoffman’s shocking death, the result of a 20 year drug relapse, is a huge loss and one that is magnified by his talent and notoriety. Tributes have hailed him as among the finest actors of his generation; an artist whose work will be celebrated for generations to come.