Another talented professional lost to drugs. The tragedy is not only in the acting community, it is also one for the country. These addictions are frightening. The role models for many an aspiring actor or sports figure are often a celebrity user. The ramifications can be deadly.
Philip Seymour Hoffman was a favorite of many. His body of work was filled with real characters. When I saw one of his movies or television appearances, I was not watching Hoffman but instead I was seeing the character he was portraying. That is a great achievement for any actor, being seen as the character you play and not as your other life roles as parent, friend, sibling, etc. .
The tragedy goes beyond Hoffman. There are many deaths from this insidious drug culture every day. They may not receive the national attention of this one but they devastate friends and families in the same way.
I have no answers, just a deep concern for all who are fighting these addictions and those who have lost the battle. I grieve with their families and friends. To Philip Seymore Hoffman and the others, R.I.P.