“Sometimes being an actor is like being some kind of detective where you're on the search for a secret that will unlock the character.”

American actor, early 1990s to 2014

Philip Seymour Hoffman was an American actor active from the early 1990s until his death in 2014. He was known for distinctive supporting parts and for leading roles on screen and stage. Across film and theatre, Hoffman built a reputation for precise, forceful performances that could hold attention in small roles as well as central ones. He worked steadily in both media, and his range made him a familiar presence in serious drama.