Phillip Seymour Hoffman

upnorth

upnorth

Joined
Nov 25, 2006
Messages
7,038
R.I.P. brother. I've held the line for over 17 years now, and it is always sad to see others die young from addictions.
 
what?? oh crap!! he was such a great actor this is terrible sad news!
 
Sad...great actor, but I can't say that I'm surprised. Something about him, perhaps what made him such a good actor, never made him seem like he was live a long life.
 
Just rented "The Saveges" last night. He was as one of a kind. Not surprised that some of his brilliance had demons. Addiction does not discriminate between classes.
 
Myker said:
Another rich actor OD's? Must be a rough life...
Click to expand...

I wonder if the same insecurity and emptiness that drives a person to seek the adulation and affirmation that comes with acting (i.e., people staring at you, applauding and telling you how great you are) is the very same turmoil that causes a person to stick a needle in his arm when he tries to anesthetize the pain.

But ultimately, the act of injecting heroine in your veins is a choice, and a very stupid one. The real tragedy is not that Hoffman chose to kill himself, but that three innocent kids lost their father.
 
powernoodle said:
I wonder if the same insecurity and emptiness that drives a person to seek the adulation and affirmation that comes with acting (i.e., people staring at you, applauding and telling you how great you are) is the very same turmoil that causes a person to stick a needle in his arm when he tries to anesthetize the pain.

But ultimately, the act of injecting heroine in your veins is a choice, and a very stupid one. The real tragedy is not that Hoffman chose to kill himself, but that three innocent kids lost their father.
Click to expand...

You're a douchebag.
 
As much as I LOVED his performances, and as much as I WILL miss watching them, I find it much more difficult to mourn the loss of someone due to addiction than that of someone who died from something they did not cause. I suppose a lot of this has to do with the fact that I have never suffered from addiction of any kind and the fact that I do not have an addictive personality. Personally...since he had three kids and a longtime partner, I ultimately view his actions as being extraordinarily selfish and find I am mad more than sad.
 
An inspired and greatly accomplished actor ... the loss of partner and father is beyond measure. This is an all round tragedy.
 
powernoodle said:
I wonder if the same insecurity and emptiness that drives a person to seek the adulation and affirmation that comes with acting (i.e., people staring at you, applauding and telling you how great you are) is the very same turmoil that causes a person to stick a needle in his arm when he tries to anesthetize the pain.

But ultimately, the act of injecting heroine in your veins is a choice, and a very stupid one. The real tragedy is not that Hoffman chose to kill himself, but that three innocent kids lost their father.
Click to expand...

Very possible. It seems like many of the most creative and talented people also have the most tortured souls. Living in LaLa Land where anything goes and having more money than you could ever spend doesn't help, either. It's a recipe for disaster. I'm surprised more celebrities don't go out this way, actually. You're right that he made his choices and took his chances, but I'll still miss seeing his face on the screen. RIP, Phillip. My condolences to his family.
 
Didn't recognize the name, but the face looked familiar. In any case, I hope something positive comes from the event, namely reduction of stigma and shame associated with addiction disorders and more people seeking treatment. It's a medical problem.
 
powernoodle said:
I wonder if the same insecurity and emptiness that drives a person to seek the adulation and affirmation that comes with acting (i.e., people staring at you, applauding and telling you how great you are) is the very same turmoil that causes a person to stick a needle in his arm when he tries to anesthetize the pain.

But ultimately, the act of injecting heroine in your veins is a choice, and a very stupid one. The real tragedy is not that Hoffman chose to kill himself, but that three innocent kids lost their father.
Click to expand...

Not everyone who becomes an actor is in it mainly for the applause and adulation. True, many actors, singers and other performers are insecure, but not every one of them. A great many do it because it's a craft, and a pursuit that calls to them, much like many feel the call to become firemen, military men/women, carpenters, painters, writers, CPAs, etc.

Acting is not an easy vocation to pursue, and there are NO guarantees going into it that you're going to be successful. The success rate of those pursuing an acting career are far lower than almost any other profession. For those who think it's easy, try it for a year or two or more. Unless you happen to be the rare natural at it, you will soon develop a lot of respect for how difficult a pursuit it is. Great actors just make it look easy. There are also countless highly gifted actors who never make it to the big time.

There are lots of businessmen, athletes, medical professionals, housewives, etc., who have drug addictions. Becoming highly respected in your profession as Hoffman did, and the riches that can come with that, does not automatically make one's inner demons go away. It's likely he would have faced the same issues had he not become a famous, successful actor. It's a sad tragedy all-around, and I wish his children the best.

Jim
 
Last edited:
What a tragic loss..
I will speak for my self and a Person ""In RECOVERY From Alcohol""
He was sober many many years once upon a time
Once in recovery..Once a person is LUCKY enough to make it to recovery--ONE MUST never let their guard down..NEVER--
Recovery should come ""FIRST"" before family-before career--It must top the list..always.. addiction is very patient and insidious...
Without sobriety I KNOW my life would not be what it is TODAY
Addiction DOES NOT care how long you've been sober or your age or nationality
It will kick your A#$ and Take your life when you are NOT LOOKING.
IT is a sad day we lost such a Talented actor..BUT proof everyday. ADDICTION to drugs and alcohol kills folks daily..
His family are in my prayers
 
:thumbup: X 1,000!
GIZMOMAN said:
What a tragic loss..
I will speak for my self and a Person ""In RECOVERY From Alcohol""
He was sober many many years once upon a time
Once in recovery..Once a person is LUCKY enough to make it to recovery--ONE MUST never let their guard down..NEVER--
Recovery should come ""FIRST"" before family-before career--It must top the list..always.. addiction is very patient and insidious...
Without sobriety I KNOW my life would not be what it is TODAY
Addiction DOES NOT care how long you've been sober or your age or nationality
It will kick your A#$ and Take your life when you are NOT LOOKING.
IT is a sad day we lost such a Talented actor..BUT proof everyday. ADDICTION to drugs and alcohol kills folks daily..
His family are in my prayers
Click to expand...
 
91a2jettavr6 said:
As much as I LOVED his performances, and as much as I WILL miss watching them, I find it much more difficult to mourn the loss of someone due to addiction than that of someone who died from something they did not cause. I suppose a lot of this has to do with the fact that I have never suffered from addiction of any kind and the fact that I do not have an addictive personality. Personally...since he had three kids and a longtime partner, I ultimately view his actions as being extraordinarily selfish and find I am mad more than sad.
Click to expand...

Yes, I think this sums it up very nicely.

I'm sorry, but there's been many many more actors that have felt with fame and fortune and actually done something decent with the money. Steve McQueen come to mind, being dumped by a prostate mother, ending up in reform school, and then going back t the reform school when he made it and counseling the kids to go strait. He donated a lot of bucks to the boys ranch he spent time at. Then there's Brad Pitt. Spent millions of his own money on building hurricane prof homes in ZNew Orleans after Katrina, and he and his gorgeous partner adapting kids that didn't have promising back grounds. There's a host of others who have used their wealth and fame and not a little money to make a difference where it counted.

But to just go out with a needle in the arm, leaving a partner and three kids? Sorry, I can't find any pity in my for the idiot.
 
jackknife said:
Yes, I think this sums it up very nicely.

I'm sorry, but there's been many many more actors that have felt with fame and fortune and actually done something decent with the money. Steve McQueen come to mind, being dumped by a prostate mother, ending up in reform school, and then going back t the reform school when he made it and counseling the kids to go strait. He donated a lot of bucks to the boys ranch he spent time at. Then there's Brad Pitt. Spent millions of his own money on building hurricane prof homes in ZNew Orleans after Katrina, and he and his gorgeous partner adapting kids that didn't have promising back grounds. There's a host of others who have used their wealth and fame and not a little money to make a difference where it counted.

But to just go out with a needle in the arm, leaving a partner and three kids? Sorry, I can't find any pity in my for the idiot.
Click to expand...
Addiction, like cancer, is a disease. If you don't have it, more power to you. But don't presume to pass judgment on those that do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top