LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of renowned actor and luminary
New Yorker Philip Seymour Hoffman

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and recognize
individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and
culture of New York State, and therefore it is fitting and appropriate
to recognize the life and work of Philip Seymour Hoffman; and
WHEREAS, It is the further sense of this Legislative Body to mourn the
death of renowned actor and luminary New Yorker Philip Seymour Hoffman;
and
WHEREAS, Born on July 23, 1967, in Fairport, New York, Philip Seymour
Hoffman attended Fairport High School, where he captivated his teachers
and fellow students playing the lead role of Willy Loman in "Death of a
Salesman"; and
WHEREAS, He later attended the New York State Summer School of the
Arts in Saratoga Springs and studied drama at New York University's
Tisch School of the Arts, which nurtured his incredible talent and
allowed him to flourish and mature as an actor; and
WHEREAS, He found increasing recognition and acclaim for his support-
ing roles in films such as "The Big Lebowski", "Scent of a Woman",
"Magnolia", "Boogie Nights", "The Talented Mr. Ripley", and "Punch-Drunk
Love"; and
WHEREAS, He quickly became one of the most acclaimed and renowned lead
actors in the world by starring in such films as "Capote", "Moneyball",
"The Savages", "The Master", "Doubt", "Charlie Wilson's War", and many
others; and
WHEREAS, Among his many nominations and awards for acting, Philip
Seymour Hoffman most notably won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for
Best Actor for his memorable portrayal of Truman Capote, the legendary
author, screenwriter, and playwright; and
WHEREAS, Philip Seymour Hoffman's performance in "Capote" remains an
astounding demonstration of his ability to truly lose himself in his
character, capturing Capote's idiosyncrasies and mannerisms with the
utmost fidelity while laying bare Capote's emotional journey in his
pursuit of a masterful work of literature; and
WHEREAS, Philip Seymour Hoffman was also an extremely accomplished
stage actor, nominated three times for Tony Awards for his roles in
"True West", "Long Day's Journey Into Night", and, once again, "Death of
a Salesman"; his portrayal of Willy Loman prompted NEW YORK TIMES thea-
ter critic Ben Brantley to refer to him as "one of the finest actors of
his generation"; and
WHEREAS, A caring and active member of his community in Greenwich
Village, Philip Seymour Hoffman's family, friends, and neighbors knew
him as a down-to-earth and genuine man who was consistently friendly and
could often be seen around the neighborhood with his beloved children;
and
WHEREAS, With his death on February 2, 2014, New York State lost a
native son, one of the most accomplished actors of our time, a man who
should have had many more happy years with his loved ones and continued
to make incredible contributions to art and culture worldwide for years
to come, to an addiction which abruptly resurfaced after years of
sobriety; and
WHEREAS, Heroin addiction is a scourge which knows no boundaries, no
race, no creed, no gender, and no socioeconomic status, and can destroy
the life of anyone regardless of his or her upbringing or accomplish-
ments; and

WHEREAS, Heroin use has been on the rise both nationally and in New
York State over the last decade, and it is incumbent upon this Legisla-
tive Body to help provide individuals struggling under the burden of
this and similar addictions access to the treatment and services they
need to fight this deadly disease; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the death of renowned actor and luminary New Yorker Philip Seymour
Hoffman; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of Philip Seymour Hoffman.