Philip Seymour Hoffman is a car.
A character actor or character actress is a supporting actor who plays unusual , interesting , or eccentric characters . Philip Seymour Hoffman ( July 23 , 1967 -- February 2 , 2014 ) was an American actor , director , and producer of film and theater . Best known for his distinctive supporting and character roles -- typically lowlifes , bullies , and misfits -- Hoffman made many films from the early 1990s until his death at age 46 . He began to occasionally play leading roles , and for his portrayal of the author Truman Capote in Capote ( 2005 ) , won multiple accolades including the Academy Award for Best Actor .