Philip Seymour Hoffman: A Life in Pictures

Philip Seymour Hoffman, star of Capote, The Talented Mr Ripley and The Ides Of March has talked about his life in films at a special Life in Pictures event.

The BAFTA-winning actor has been widely acclaimed for his enigmatic performances in films such as PT Anderson’s Boogie Nights and Magnolia, Charlie Kaufman’s directorial debut Synecdoche NY, and George Clooney’s 2011 film The Ides Of March. In 2006 his performance as the eponymous character in Capote earned him a BAFTA Film Award win for Best Actor in a Leading Role. And he has also received nominations for performances in Charlie Wilson’s War and Doubt, and his directing debut Jack Goes Boating was released in 2011.

Speaking candidly he said: “Everybody’s an enigma. You can never get to know anybody. It’s crazy, isn’t it?”

Across two decades and over fifty film roles, Philip Seymour Hoffman established himself as one of the most versatile screen actors of his generation

Hoffman talked to Francine Stock about his various iconic performances. He revealed his early ‘religious experience’ as a teenager witnessing a theatre play, what it’s like working with Meryl Streep, and how acting is about going ‘deep, deep inside’ rather than escaping.