Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman (1967-2014) was honored by his sister on the 10th anniversary of his death. Nurse Emily Anne Barr published an article in The Paris Review magazine remembering her relationship with the star and their difficult childhood, also celebrating her brother’s artistic achievements in his brief career.
Hoffman died in 2014 from an accidental drug overdose. He is survived by his son Cooper (21 years old) and daughters Tallulah (17 years old) and Willa (15 years old). The trio was the result of the artist’s marriage to costume designer Mimi O’Donnell. The two had broken up a few months before he died. In 2006 he won the Oscar for best actor for his work in ‘Capote’ (2005).
In her text, Hoffman’s sister celebrated the actor’s affection, crediting him with the efforts that took them both “out of the chaotic house” in which they grew up.
“He liked to sit next to me on the couch, hug me on the street and always hug me with everything,” wrote Emily Anne Barr.
“We grew up like two hamsters, making our nests in sheets and books. We stuck together, especially when things got tense and loud. We made up stories that took us away from the chaos of our home, to forest forts, boats on Keuka Lake or out eating pizza like adults.”
Another excerpt from the text says: “He was a loving person. The way he jumped and danced around when he was bothering you-even when you begged him to stop, he just insisted on bothering you once again. He knew it was wrong, but he would do it anyway, and he would laugh until you were laughing too.”
In May 2013, less than a year before his death, Hoffman spent 10 days in a rehabilitation center for drug addicts. Then, in February 2014, he was found lifeless in his New York apartment, the victim of a fatal overdose of heroin and prescription drugs.
People close to the actor told the international press at the time that he had been spending US$10,000 a month to support his addictions.
Watch Hoffman’s speech at the 2006 Oscar ceremony and then the trailer for ‘Capote’, the production that won him the trophy:
Tags: Sister pays emotional tribute Philip Seymour Hoffman #10th anniversary actors death loving person Films
