One day after the news of , thereâs plenty of discussion online about the number of quality roles heâs played since he broke into films in the early â90s.
Like with any great character actor, there are movies heâs been in which you could point out and you might get the response: âWait, he was in that? ⌠Youâre RIGHT.â
Seymour Hoffman was well known for his ability to dig deep into the shame and hurt that underlies many of the characters heâs played (in âBoogie Nightsâ and âHappiness,â to name a few). But heâs also a master of playing larger than life, brash and utterly unlikable. Or so unlikable he somehow becomes lovable.
Itâs in small roles earlier in his film career in which heâs appeared and made a big impact in the eyes of many â including notable directors and producers who took notice. Here are 5 that stand out for us:
Film: Scent of a Woman
Role: George Willis Jr.
Year: 1992
Al Pacinoâs scene-chewing histrionics aside, when youâre looking for a model of the obnoxious and privileged, Seymour Hoffmanâs portrayal of prep school student George Willis Jr. comes immediately to mind. This is the performance that caught director Paul Thomas Andersonâs attention, and five years later he gave the role of Scotty J. in âBoogie Nightsâ to Seymour Hoffman.
Film: Nobodyâs Fool
Role: Officer Raymer
Year: 1994
The young Seymour Hoffman clearly wasnât intimidated acting alongside legends Paul Newman and Jessica Tandy, not to mention Bruce Willis and Melanie Griffith. His small-town bumpkin of a police officer in the New York village of North Bath is a delight to watch.
Film: Hard Eight
Role: Young Craps Player
Year: 1996
Seymour Hoffman spends no more than 3 minutes on screen in this early Paul Thomas Anderson film, but he nearly steals the film, playing a mullet-haired gambler with no respect for his elders (specifically, an old-time gambler played exquisitely by Philip Baker Hall). He brings a full commitment to his roles, big or small, and is nuanced and unforgettable here.
Film: The Talented Mr. Ripley
Role: Freddie Miles
Year: 1999
Playing a Princeton friend of Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law), Seymour Hoffmanâs Freddie Miles is the epitome of smarm (without somehow being loathsome -- this could be George Willis Jr. in 5 years). How he plays his suspicion and contempt towards Matt Damonâs character Tom Ripley is remarkable.
Film: Punch-Drunk Love
Role: Dean Trumbell
Year: 2002
Seymour Hoffman is a mattress-selling conman that torments Adam Sandlerâs Barry Egan. Heâs pretty much cornered the market on contemptible characters who are delightful to watch. How does he do it? He gives them generous doses of humanity with an underlayer of deep insecurity.
