Philip Seymour Hoffman RIP

Yes, I was surprised to read that he was 46. Must make a point of seeing The Master, which I missed at the cinema [to be honest it didn't appeal to me].

Yes, I remember him in parts where he played young-ish to middle-aged men with very establishment characters.

Bloody drugs - they see off so many talented people who really should know better. But any of us, under severe stress, could succumb to the temptation, given a huge income and people ready to supply the stuff.

I've never been tempted to drugs - nor to tobacco either, but I regard this as my good luck rather than my good character. In any case, i wouldn't know where to get the stuff, even if I had the money and the inclination.

I suppose most of us just use a stiff drink and a moan to friends when under stress! or just the moan to friends. Well, i do anyway,

Couldn't believe how young he was, same age as my sons. I thought he was at least ten years older, probably because he plays much older parts. Shows what a good character actor he was.

I have heard the name but don't know who this actor is; always sad to hear of a drugs overdose. Actors often are fragile [mentally[ and prone to all kinds of destructive behavior.

One of my ex students, mother of 2, aged 38- just put a comment on her Facebook. What a shame... but to her it means something totally different (:
She would give anything to be able to live, but she has lost the fight against the big C.

I to am sorry that Philip has died at age 46 from a drug overdose and my sincere sympathy goes out to his ex wife and three very young children.
I have to say however that at a time when there is more flooding due to hit parts of the country it was disappointing for the BBC News to spend 20 minutes of its 30 minute programme talking about him.
I am sorry if this upsets anyone but there was, in my opinion, just too much coverage given to his sad, tragic and unnecessary death.