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Philip Seymour Hoffman Biography

Birth Name:Philip Seymour Hoffman

Birth Place:Fairport, New York, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Director

Fast Facts

  • Premiere Magazine ranked his performance as Truman Capote in Capote as No․ 35 on its list of 100 Greatest Performances of All Time in 2006
  • Co-founded the Bullstoi Ensemble acting troupe
  • Earned a Drama Desk award for Outstanding Director of a Play for "Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train" in 2001
  • Asked everyone to congratulate his mother on his 2005 Oscar win for "Capote," citing the fact that she brought up Hoffman and his three siblings alone after divorcing his father when he was nine
  • Founded the short-lived theater company the Bullstoi Ensemble with actor Steven Schub and director Bennett Miller at New York University
  • Attended Theater School at the New York State Summer School of the Arts in 1984, the Circle in the Square Theatre's summer program after high school graduation and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, where he earned his degree in 1989
  • Made his Broadway debut in "True West" in 2000
  • Joined a drama club after an injury made him unable to continue playing baseball or wrestling
  • Quote: "Success isn't what makes you happy․ It really isn't․ Success is doing what makes you happy and doing good work and hopefully having a fruitful life․ If I've felt like I've done good work, that makes me happy․ The success part of it is all gravy․"
  • Struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol as a young adult and throughout his life
  • His characters often ran through a gamut of emotions over the course of a film
  • Appeared in all of Paul Thomas Anderson's films except for "There Will Be Blood․"
  • Joined LAByrinth Theater Company in 1995
  • Once taught an advanced "Directing the Actor" class at Columbia University School of the Arts Graduate Film Division
  • Though it didn't garner him the fame of some of his later roles, he believed that "Scent of a Woman" was his breakthrough movie, since he hasn't had to take a non-acting job since then

Awards

  • 1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
  • 1998FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 1998NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
  • 1999ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: winner
  • 1999Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1999Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
  • 1999NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
  • 1999NBR Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 1999SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2000Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2000FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2000NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
  • 2000NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical: winner
  • 2000Best Actor-: winner
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama/Romance: nominated
  • 2001CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2001FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2001ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2001OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2001OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2001OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2003ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2003Best Actor-: winner
  • 2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2004Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2004Genie-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2004Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2004IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
  • 2004VFCC Award-Best Actor - Canadian Film: winner
  • 2005ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2005ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
  • 2005BSFC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005DFWFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005FFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005Golden Schmoes-Best Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2005KCFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005LAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005NBR Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005NYFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2005NYFCO Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2005SDFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005Satellite Award-Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama: winner
  • 2005SEFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005SLFCA Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2005TFCA Award-Best Performance, Male: winner
  • 2005UFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005VVFP Award-Best Performance: nominated
  • 2005WAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2005WIN Award-Actor in Made-for-TV Movie/Miniseries: nominated
  • 2006Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2006AFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006BAFTA Film Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: winner
  • 2006CFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006Critics Choice Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006DFCC-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: winner
  • 2006Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor: winner
  • 2006Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: winner
  • 2006INOCA-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2006IFC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006IOMA-Best Actor (Miglior attore protagonista): winner
  • 2006NSFC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006OFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2006VFCC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2007Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2007EDA Special Mention Award-Best Depiction of Nudity or Sexuality: nominated
  • 2007CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2007DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2007Jury Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2007Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2007Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: winner
  • 2007IFCS Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2007ALFS Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2007Critics Award-Best Foreign Actor (Melhor Ator Estrangeiro): winner
  • 2007SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2007TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Male: nominated
  • 2007VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2007VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2008EDA Special Mention Award-Best Seduction: nominated
  • 2008ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2008ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2008BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: winner
  • 2008CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2008Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2008Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: winner
  • 2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2008Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2008Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: winner
  • 2008HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008ICP Award-Best Lead Performance: nominated
  • 2008IFC Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2008NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
  • 2008NSFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2008NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2008Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2008TFCA Award-Best Supporting Performance, Male: nominated
  • 2008WAFCA Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
  • 2009Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2009Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2009BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2009COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2009Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2009Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2009Robert Altman Award-: winner
  • 2009Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2009IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
  • 2009OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2009OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2009Golden Capital-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2009Sant Jordi-Best Foreign Actor (Mejor Actor Extranjero): winner
  • 2009VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2010Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby Film Award-Lead Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2010IOFCP Award-Best Actor of the Decade: winner
  • 2010IOFCP Award-Best Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2011Chlotrudis Award-Best Actor: winner
  • 2012ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2012BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2012CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012FFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
  • 2012IGN Award-Best Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2012ICP Award-Best Supporting Performance: winner
  • 2012IOFCP Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
  • 2012KCFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012OFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
  • 2012SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2012SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012SLFCA Award-Special Merit (for best scene, cinematic technique or other memorable aspect or moment): winner
  • 2012TFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2012UFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012Volpi Cup-Best Actor: winner
  • 2012VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2012VVFP Award-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2012WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
  • 2013EDA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013COFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2013HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013ICS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013INOCA-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013IOMA-Best Supporting Actor (Miglior attore non protagonista): nominated
  • 2013ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: winner
  • 2013NFS Award-Best Duo: nominated
  • 2013NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2013OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013VFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2014DFCC-Best Actor: nominated
  • 2015Días de Cine Award-Best Foreign Actor: winner
  • 2018Felix-Best Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2020Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor of the Decade: nominated