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Bruce Hall: Whenever I think of Hoffman I immediately think of Scotty J from Boogie Nights. Not that this is his best or most memorable role, and I suppose I'd seen him prior to that in movies like Twister and The Getaway. But Boogie Nights is one of those movies where a number of actors turned in notable performances, and it also happens to be one of my favorite movies. And Hoffman in particular always stuck out to me. He left it all out on the field and made a relatively minor character stand out by making him feel dynamic and real. There was so much passion there, and the vast array of emotional states he brought to Scotty just amazed me at the time. I remember thinking:

"This guy is really good. He might be going places."

Well, as Edwin noted, PSH really was the kind of actor who made a habit of performing well in underperforming material, and when you're the kind of talent he was, your presence helps lift all boats. He definitely went places, and had still many more yet to go.

I think we were all aware of his struggles with addiction, and I remember shaking my head when I heard the news, because for better of worse I feared the story was going to be what it apparently is. I'm convinced his best roles were still ahead of him and his passing is nothing less than a tragic waste.

Fortunately the work he leaves behind is not, and all we can do now is wonder what might have been.

David Mumpower: I saw the news before most of the world did on Sunday, and wound up informing several friends (including Brett...sorry). First, I spent the body of an hour hoping against all hope that the rumor was unfounded. Coincidentally or not, Hoffman has been an integral part of several of my favorite movies of the 2000s. I frequently instruct people who have yet to watch Mission: Impossible III that Hoffman's villainy elevates Cruise to heights he hadn't seen in years. And I love Hoffman's portrayal of Lester Bangs so much that I find myself constantly quoting his various lines in the movie. He isn't even in Almost Famous that much yet he somehow defines everything as the wizened tutor for the lead character.

If I had to pick one role, however, it would be Hoffman's portrayal of Gust Avrakotos in Charlie Wilson's War. Hoffman inhabits the psyche of that character so completely that I sometimes forget he is not the real person. Charlie Wilson's War is on the short list for best movie of the 2000s for me (as are Mission: Impossible III and Almost Famous). Hoffman is integral to that as he demonstrates with easy confidence that he is a man of action rather than a "cake eater" who "is gonna get us all killed." The scene where he smashes the window of a superior who has denied him a promotion is as memorable a movie moment as there has been in 20 years.

I hated to hear about James Gandolfini. The death of Philip Seymour Hoffman is a true gut punch. He was positioning himself to be the greatest character actor of all time. And now he has died way, way too young. Tragic is not a strong enough word for this.

Jason Barney: I loved him in Charlie Wilson's War.

Reagen Sulewski: The thing about Hoffman is that he never had any roles that were boring. Even bit parts like Magnolia and The Big Lebowski came alive because he made some kind of choice that made his character stand out. Personally, I'm partial to the bored ferocity of his role in Mission: Impossible III and his incredible smarminess in The Talented Mr. Ripley.

Kim Hollis: I'm still devastated by this news. I struggle to think if there's another actor of my generation who is as consistently talented and engaging as Hoffman. My favorite role of his also comes from one of my most beloved films. As Lester Bangs in Almost Famous, Hoffman basically provides the outline for the remainder of the film. It's a small role, but he brought Bangs to life. I will always be in love with the way he delivers the line, "Iggy Pop! Amen!"

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