PrincessMommy Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Always so sad when someone iwth so much talent dies too young. I know he has battled drug addiction in the past, but there's no word yet on cause of death. Actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman found Dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 My wife watches a lot of movies. A few minutes ago, when I saw that as "Breaking News", I asked her if she knew him. She told me, "don't tell me one of my favorite actors is dead"... He died with a needle in his arm. He was a long time drug abuser. Apparently, "sober" for a time and then back into it. SAD... R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Oh, I was hoping you were wrong, but it is true. He was such a powerful actor, so gifted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 So is the news a hoax or not? WSJ had a link up and removed it. So sad if it's true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Word Nerd Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 It's being widely reported by numerous news sources. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Here's the story on Fox News. So, no, not a hoax. :-( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 How sad. :( He was such a talented actor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halcyon Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I truly adored him. I would say he ranked up there with my top favorite actors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I don't believe someone famous died until I see it in the NYT, and it is on their web page right now, so I am assuming it is true. Nothing in the NYT about a needle, just that is appears to be a drug overdose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 The weird thing is that there was a rumor yesterday or Friday that he had died, and his publicist denied it. I know that he's really dead now, but suspicious me wonders if somebody sold him some bad heroin, or was with him when he died, and started the rumor. Very sad. Very talented actor, who had been sober for 20+ years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Addiction is an evil, evil disease along with the stigma and ignorance around it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted February 2, 2014 Author Share Posted February 2, 2014 I don't believe someone famous died until I see it in the NYT, and it is on their web page right now, so I am assuming it is true. Nothing in the NYT about a needle, just that is appears to be a drug overdose. I have not seen anything about a needle in any of the print articles I read either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joker Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I have not seen anything about a needle in any of the print articles I read either. Several different places are reporting it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I have not seen anything about a needle in any of the print articles I read either. http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/03/movies/philip-seymour-hoffman-actor-dies-at-46.html?_r=0 "Investigators found a syringe in his arm and an envelope containing what is believed to be heroin, the official said." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilaclady Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 So sad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moxie Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Very sad. Do you think Hollywood attracts people with this kind of addictive personality or does the fame somehow change a person?? I can't imagine what life is like when you have enough money to do whatever you want--does that lead to a kind of boredom?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Excelsior! Academy Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 :crying: Sad, sad, sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Very sad. Do you think Hollywood attracts people with this kind of addictive personality or does the fame somehow change a person?? I can't imagine what life is like when you have enough money to do whatever you want--does that lead to a kind of boredom?? I don't think you have to have an "addictive personality" to become addicted to heroin. Unlike other substances (like alcohol) that seem to more readily affect those with a supposed genetic predisposition, heroin doesn't discriminate. I do think the Hollywood culture does increase the availability and the acceptability of drugs. Many communities of highly creative people have a drug subculture (art, music, theater.) ETA: I, too, was saddened when I saw this news. He was one of my favorite actors - so versatile, from subtle to over-the-top performance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 Addiction is an evil, evil disease along with the stigma and ignorance around it. Exactly. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I can't imagine what life is like when you have enough money to do whatever you want--does that lead to a kind of boredom?? Unlike other substances (like alcohol) that seem to more readily affect those with a supposed genetic predisposition, heroin doesn't discriminate. I do think the Hollywood culture does increase the availability and the acceptability of drugs. Many communities of highly creative people have a drug subculture (art, music, theater.) I think all of these things play a factor. I think not having a daily struggle of life, being able to do basically whatever you want probably does lead to a type of boredom. The availability and acceptability of drugs make it an easier choice than it is in many other communities/situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 He was brilliant. It's very sad how often this happens in Hollywood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted February 2, 2014 Share Posted February 2, 2014 I am not sure that 'Hollywood' has any more addicts than anywhere else. I have dear friends who have struggled with addiction. I have friends whose beautiful children have fallen prey to heroin. I had one friend who had her well to do lifestyle shattered when she found out her husband was using heroin. She had zero clue he used drugs of any kind and trust me when I tell you that we were shocked beyond anything to find that out. Never, ever would have thought that of him. I think we hear about it more from the entertainment industry because they are high profile. But how many firefighters or doctors or teachers or insurance sales people, or mail carriers or librarians or taxi drivers or homeschoolers or financial planners or people who work in call centers or walmart employees are current or former addicts? Who here hasn't had their life touched in some way by addiction. I don't mean themselves, but that is certainly the case for some of us here, but our families or circle of friends. I doubt there are many if any. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Laurie Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I am not sure that 'Hollywood' has any more addicts than anywhere else. I have dear friends who have struggled with addiction. I have friends whose beautiful children have fallen prey to heroin. I had one friend who had her well to do lifestyle shattered when she found out her husband was using heroin. She had zero clue he used drugs of any kind and trust me when I tell you that we were shocked beyond anything to find that out. Never, ever would have thought that of him. I think we hear about it more from the entertainment industry because they are high profile. But how many firefighters or doctors or teachers or insurance sales people, or mail carriers or librarians or taxi drivers or homeschoolers or financial planners or people who work in call centers or walmart employees are current or former addicts? Who here hasn't had their life touched in some way by addiction. I don't mean themselves, but that is certainly the case for some of us here, but our families or circle of friends. I doubt there are many if any. That blows my mind that someone could be using Heroin and it wouldn't be obvious. I wonder how someone on drugs can function and do their job? I think addiction happens everywhere, not just in Hollywood. My neighbors down the street have a son who is very close with my son, (they are 19), who is a handsome, talented kid, but got involved with drugs and ended up serving time in jail. But, I also think that the lifestyle in Hollywood- being an idol, image being very important, and so on, seems to set people up for pain and emotional issues that make one more likely to seek out drugs or alcohol or other unhealthy coping mechanisms in the first place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Really sad. But it does seem that a lot if high profile Hollywood deaths are due to drugs :( I think part of it comes from the lifestyle, availability of this stuff, and so many other things. I'm sure being reasonably wealthy and being able to afford "whatever" doesn't hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I am not sure that 'Hollywood' has any more addicts than anywhere else. I know quite a few people who have been in trouble because of drugs, have been through rehab, have used illegal drugs and/or abused legal drugs. However, I do think Hollywood and certain upper circles of society *do* have more drug use. They don't have to be functional for a job *every day* like other circles of society. Non-functional drug users usually get found out by their families and sent to rehab over a comparatively short time frame for that reason. Saying that it seems to be more prevalent in certain circles, doesn't mean it is absent in all other circles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tangerine Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Very sad. Do you think Hollywood attracts people with this kind of addictive personality or does the fame somehow change a person?? I can't imagine what life is like when you have enough money to do whatever you want--does that lead to a kind of boredom?? Mother Jones has him quoted as saying "I was 22 and I got panicked for my life…I always think, god, you know, I have so much empathy for these young actors, that they're 19 and all of a sudden they're beautiful, and famous, and rich. And I'm like, oh my god, I'd be dead!" But I have had 2 friends (of the friendly acquaintance sort) die of heroin overdoses. I'm a midwestern housewife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I was thinking of alcohol and prescription drugs etc with my comments about the prevalence of addiction, not just heroin. There are lots of functioning alcoholics and prescription drug users out there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I'm also in the midwest. Our region is high on the meth production list, probably due to its access to the interstates both n/w and e/w and lots of rural areas to hide the "labs". Unfortunately, I know a high number of people who have dealt with addictions of all kinds. It can be very easy to hide an addiction habit from family, friends, and coworkers. This is a powerful article from Russell Brand about his struggles with addiction. (if he generally rubs you the wrong way, reserve judgment and read the article. He's humble and articulate).http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2013/mar/09/russell-brand-life-without-drugs Here's a quote: "Without these fellowships I would take drugs. Because, even now, the condition persists. Drugs and alcohol are not my problem, reality is my problem, drugs and alcohol are my solution." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 We went to see Catching Fire today and it was sad to watch knowing he had died. Too sad that it was by his own hands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I was thinking of alcohol and prescription drugs etc with my comments about the prevalence of addiction, not just heroin. There are lots of functioning alcoholics and prescription drug users out there. Ah, in no way do I disagree with that. I was thinking more of "hard" drugs, drugs that debilitate faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fourcatmom Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I read he had one week left of shooting for Mockingjay. :( Oh no! I didn't know they had started filming already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Very sad. Do you think Hollywood attracts people with this kind of addictive personality or does the fame somehow change a person?? I can't imagine what life is like when you have enough money to do whatever you want--does that lead to a kind of boredom?? No, because I don't think addiction begins as a behavioral problem. I don't believe in an "addictive personality". I think it is a physical disease that gets triggered by the chemicals. We hear about the addiction because we hear about celebrity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelAR05 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I can't believe how sad I am about his death. :'( But am glad to see that so many others appreciated his work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colleen Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 So grieved by this. All else aside, he was an incredibly gifted actor ~ truly one of the icons of our times. Always so sad when someone iwth so much talent dies too young. I know he has battled drug addiction in the past, but there's no word yet on cause of death. Actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman found Dead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 IMO, the saddest thing is that, according to the news, he had three young children -- ages 10, 7, and 5. :( Those poor kids. :crying: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impish Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 IMO, the saddest thing is that, according to the news, he had three young children -- ages 10, 7, and 5. :( Those poor kids. :crying: ITA, Cat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I am really sad to hear this news too. I just saw Catching Fire last week. He was really good in that, like he is in everything. He just exudes intelligence. My favorite PSH movie is The Talented Mr. Ripley. He plays a really unlikeable character, but, he's also the ONLY person in the film to figure out that Matt Damon's mild-mannered character is a killer and a liar. He makes the role really complex and memorable. I am seeing nothing but sadness about this news, while the response to Cory Monteith's death was much more divided (all over, not necessarily here). I think perhaps it is easier to sympathize with a middle aged addict than a young one. Or maybe it's simply that this is a greater loss, from the public eye's perspective. I don't know. It's sad. Both were victims of the same terrible disease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris in VA Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 So very sad. And makes me remember "One day at a time," the AA saying that is so applicable. 20 years sober is no guarantee that you (or in my case, loved ones) will be sober at the end of the day today. Alternately humbles me and scares the living hell out of me. Every day I have to chose the humility and the hope, or I'm left shaking in the corner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 I am really sad to hear this news too. I just saw Catching Fire last week. He was really good in that, like he is in everything. He just exudes intelligence. My favorite PSH movie is The Talented Mr. Ripley. He plays a really unlikeable character, but, he's also the ONLY person in the film to figure out that Matt Damon's mild-mannered character is a killer and a liar. He makes the role really complex and memorable. I am seeing nothing but sadness about this news, while the response to Cory Monteith's death was much more divided (all over, not necessarily here). I think perhaps it is easier to sympathize with a middle aged addict than a young one. Or maybe it's simply that this is a greater loss, from the public eye's perspective. I don't know. It's sad. Both were victims of the same terrible disease. I think part of it is the sheer body of work that PSH brought to us compared with CM. Also, the talent was so different...very different. We *knew* that PSH had great talent. He had shown it to us over and over again. CM seemed untried outside of one light-fare tv show. I thought this article is a lovely tribute to PSH's talent: http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/feb/02/philip-seymour-hoffman-dies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 As to whether or not his fame (or money, or boredom) had anything to do with the drug abuse - he has had an addiction issue since long before he was rich and famous... I live in his hometown... yesterday I was at a rehearsal with a number of retired teachers that had taught PSH (!) and they announced the news. There was palpable sorrow in the room... so very sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joanne Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Fwiw, treated addiction has a relapse rate similar to other diseases such as diabetes and many cancers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I think part of it is the sheer body of work that PSH brought to us compared with CM. Also, the talent was so different...very different. We *knew* that PSH had great talent. He had shown it to us over and over again. CM seemed untried outside of one light-fare tv show. I thought this article is a lovely tribute to PSH's talent: http://www.theguardian.com/film/filmblog/2014/feb/02/philip-seymour-hoffman-dies I agree with this. I just wish poor CM's death had been met with same grace that people are extending to PSH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheryl Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Very sad, indeed. I agree with you, PrincessMommy, he was a talented actor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwallowTail Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 My wife watches a lot of movies. A few minutes ago, when I saw that as "Breaking News", I asked her if she knew him. She told me, "don't tell me one of my favorite actors is dead"... He died with a needle in his arm. He was a long time drug abuser. Apparently, "sober" for a time and then back into it. SAD... R.I.P. No, he really wasn't. He had an addiction problem as a teenager/young adult, and got clean at age 22, and was sober for over 23 years. Addiction is so scary, because it is progressive, even while the person isn't using. Constant vigilance for life is necessary, and it is so sad that he lost his way and his life. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sassenach Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 No, he really wasn't. He had an addiction problem as a teenager/young adult, and got clean at age 22, and was sober for over 23 years. Addiction is so scary, because it is progressive, even while the person isn't using. Constant vigilance for life is necessary, and it is so sad that he lost his way and his life. :( Similarly to PSH, I have 2 friends who married men who were recovered addicts, and both men relapsed 16/18 years into their recoveries. For one of the women that was 14 years into their marriage, for the other it was 5. Both men are sober again, but both had scary run-ins with death. I just can't imagine being 14 years into marriage and then having to face a dragon that you thought was long slain. I'm sad for his kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I am seeing nothing but sadness about this news, while the response to Cory Monteith's death was much more divided (all over, not necessarily here). I think perhaps it is easier to sympathize with a middle aged addict than a young one. Or maybe it's simply that this is a greater loss, from the public eye's perspective. I don't know. It's sad. Both were victims of the same terrible disease. I don't think most people even knew really who Cory Monteith was. Had he done anything besides Glee? I've never watched that show at all, whereas I've seen a lot of Phillip Seymour Hoffman's movies. I think that is the main difference you are seeing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen in NY Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I don't think most people even knew really who Cory Monteith was. This. I feel bad for the guy, but this thread is the first time I have heard his name! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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