I was a fan of the actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Not necessarily for the bigger parts which won him accolades, but for the smaller "every-man" roles he excelled at. I also liked him when he played creepy. That was something he also did well. I was sad to learn that he died of a heroin overdose. I am sadder to hear all the horrible things being said about him over the way he died.
I don't read the gossip rags, so I don't know what they're saying compelled Philip Seymour Hoffman first try heroin.
I don't need to read the gossip rags to know why he kept doing it. Addiction is a horrific, life-destroying ordeal so overwhelming that even millions of dollars and a successful career can't save you. It's a fight that never ends, and sometimes people lose the battle... despite their best efforts. And the efforts of people around them.
Why that terrible battle is something to belittle or ridicule, I don't know.
Why somebody who couldn't overcome their problems is beneath compassion or sympathy, I don't understand.
Why people feel the need to mock and ridicule somebody's death, I don't want to understand.
My deepest sympathies to Hoffman's family, friends, and fans. I'm sorry he lost the fight. I'm even sorrier that people with no understanding of the power of addiction are so cruel in their ignorance. He will be missed.
Don't let those swill merchants rewrite you. —Lester Bangs from Almost Famous
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Beautifully said, Dave. I couldn’t agree more.
Here, here.
A loss that many of us will mourn for sometime. Well written tribute.
As for those who belittle the power of addiction, I hope they never have it happen to them. Cause they will never understand what’s happening to them and want help from others, who might offer the same ridicule they gave to Mr. Hoffman.
yesterday i ran to the store to buy lottery tickets for my office group and a woman was outside smoking. while i hadn’t smoked in years, it smelled incredible enough to give me a strong urge to french kiss her just to be close to the cigarette. later in the evening my aunt and i went to dinner. her smoke on the way to the car tempted me to ask her for one, but i hate menthols so it was easy enough to avoid.
point is, years later i still have days where i really, really want to smoke. addictive personalities are a bitch. while i am saddened mr. hoffman made the choice to go back to the needle, i certainly can appreciate how difficult it must have been to stay sober, even with so much to live for.
Nice tribute Dave. Hoffman was a great actor and this is a sad loss. Oddly enough we watched Twister on Sunday night and he was even great in that “losers, move out”
I’m glad I didn’t read any of the insulting comments (I was forewarned not to), so I could just be sad about his passing (which I learned via a CNN push notification on my phone, oddly enough).
I like this post.
Amen. I hope he is at peace.