I'm so sad today. We are from the same town, and whenever he came back to visit he was so sweet and gracious to everyone. He was a brilliant, sweet actor. May he peacefully rest.
What a shame for him to die so young, and what a shame that the end came the way it did.
I wish that people would be more respectful and intelligent about this tragedy. I've heard all too many "he was a junkie so he had it coming" responses on social media already. First, that's incredibly disrespectful. Second, think about it logically: if heroin were legalized but regulated, Hoffman, especially out of rehab, would not have had to buy drugs in secret and would be immensely less likely to overdose. Alcohol can kill, and there are addicts in Hollywood, but one rarely hears of famous people dying of alcohol poisoning these days. If any good comes out of Hoffman's untimely death, let it be an increase in conversation about the negative effects of the failing War on Drugs, and a realization that legalization will not mean more addiction and death, but quite possibly much less.
I agree Darquegk. Addiction is a very real, vicious, and heartbreaking disease. I lost my best friend ten years ago to it. I can't believe people would be insensitive about this and say something so awful as "he had it coming". It's a very complicated disease and we must be compassionate for people who struggle with it.
Please remember that his legacy is also that of his three children, the oldest of which is only ten years old. My thoughts are with them and his partner.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
I am floored by this news. I have also been surprised with just how quickly people have sprung into stone-throwing mode. I am thankful I have not faced a substance abuse battle, but will be first to admit I have had my share of "white collar" addictions... food, sugar, sex, shopping, truth bending, people manipulating etc... and in moments like this I can't help be think that if we removed the stigma attached to illegal substances AND/OR attacked other addictions with the level of vitriol with which we do drugs/alcohol, there'd be a whole lot more empathy in the air.