Happy Birthday Philip Seymour Hoffman!

So, today is my favourite working actor's birthday, so I decided to do a little post about him. I discovered him back in 2005 with the release of the Capote trailer. Rather late, I know, since he was already famous for being one of the best character actors around, stealing scenes in supporting roles and even leading a few independent films as well. However, it was with the trailer of this particular film that I first noticed him and that's when I decided to do some research on his work. Needless to say, he blew me away in every single film of his I saw and then with Capote he was ready to top my favourite actors list.

What follows are all of the Philip Seymour Hoffman performances I've seen ranked in order of preference (but they are all extraordinary):

1. Truman Capote in Capote (2005)

Personal awards: Best Actor* (2005)

2. Andy in Before the Devil Knows You're Dead (2007)

Personal awards: Best Actor (2007)

3. Dean Trumbell in Punch-Drunk Love (2002)

Personal awards: Best Supporting Actor (2002)

4. Jon Savage in The Savages (2007)

5. Gust Avrakotos in Charlie Wilson's War (2007)

Personal awards: Best Supporting Actor (2007)

6. Dan Mahowny in Owning Mahowny (2003)

Personal awards: Best Actor (2003)

7. Phil Parma in Magnolia (1999)

8. Rusty in Flawless (1999)

9.  Jacob Elinsky in 25th Hour (2002)

10. George Willis, Jr. in Scent of a Woman (1992)

Personal awards: Best Supporting Actor (1992)

11. Allen in Happiness (1998)

Personal awards: Best Supporting Actor (1998)

12. Lester Bangs in Almost Famous (2000)

Personal awards: Best Supporting Actor (2000)

13. Freddie Miles in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

14. Joseph Turner White in State and Main (2000)

15. Brandt in The Big Lebowski (1998)

16. Sandy Lyle in Along Came Polly (2004)

17. Owen Dawian in Mission: Impossible III (2006)

18. Scotty J. in Boogie Nights (1997)

19. Reverend Veasey in Cold Mountain (2003)

20. Freddy Lounds in Red Dragon (2002)

21. Charlie Mayne in Empire Falls (2005) (TV)

22. Dustin Davis in Twister (1996)

23. Mitch Roman in Patch Adams (1988)

* Indicates win.

I apologise for the poor quality of some of the images, but it was impossible to find better ones. 

Anyway, happy birthday to the best actor of the generation! And here I leave you with a little something, a taste of his talent. One of the funniest performances of the decade, no doubt: