I was getting ready for work yesterday morning when I turned on the radio which was tuned to NPR. The station was airing an interview it did with the incredibly talented and award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman when he was appearing on Broadway in 2012 as Willy Loman in a revival of the classic play, "Death of A Salesman."
It was strange to hear Hoffman's voice on the radio knowing that friends had found him Sunday in his New York apartment sadly and tragically dead of an apparent drug overdose at the young age of 46.
I stopped and listened as Hoffman talked about the power of the play's story and how it audibly affects each audience that sees "Death Of A Salesman," a play focusing on the waning days of an aging and failing salesman. Hoffman sounded so calm and thoughtful in the interview, so in control. (NPR interview: http://www.npr.org/2012/04/12/150305122/philip-seymour-hoffman-broadways-new-salesman)
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| Philip Seymour Hoffman Photo By Dominique Charriau/Wire Image |
And yet he had private inner struggles vying for attention, strong addictions that he was constantly fighting and trying to face square on. Life for Philip Seymour Hoffman was intense and beautiful and all of it had to be felt and distilled and carefully brought to each role he powerfully acted.
Nor surprisingly, he also recognized the emotional hard work of grieving and in this interview with Yahoo Movies, Hoffman talks about what grieving is and what it is not:
http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-news/philip-seymour-hoffman-told-us-grieving-225637926.htmlMy thoughts and prayers are with his family and may his soul forever rest in peace.
Those who suffer mental illness often try to present their best face despite dealing with severe difficulties. No one wants the people who care about them to be worried.
ReplyDeleteI agree! We have so much more to learn about supporting those who are struggling with mental health and addiction issues. Thanks so much for your insight!
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