9 Overlooked Philip Seymour Hoffman Performances
No modern actor was better at making you feel sympathy for the dull, delusional and degenerate


Hoffman's mistakes didn’t make him unique – his talent did.
Everett Collection
Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the most respected film and stage actors of his generation, passed away Sunday at the too-young age of 46. Hoffman transitioned effortlessly from subtle indies to big budget fare, and the majority of his 63 film and television credits were lauded by audiences and critics alike. Nominated for three Academy Awards, Hoffman won Best Actor for his portrayal of journalist Truman Capote in 2005. On stage, Hoffman nabbed three Tony nominations for a variety of roles, most recently in 2012 for his starring turn in the acclaimed revival of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. At the time of his death, Hoffman was in the midst of filming a spot in The Hunger Games, and speculation is already brewing about what will come of his part. Throughout his career, Hoffman expertly embodied dozens of memorable characters. Here are nine often overlooked roles. —Rob LeDonne