10 Philip Seymour Hoffman Performances That Prove His Acting Genius

2. Truman Capote - Capote

Philip Seymour Hoffman's first Oscar-nominated performance (and his only one in a leading role) was also the nod that would lead to his first and only Oscar (as sad a phrase as I've ever written), playing In Cold Blood author Truman Capote in the process of writing said novel, as he forges a connection with one of the murder suspects, Perry Smith. Hoffman's transformative performance is a fantastic act of mimicry, nailing the physical intonations of the man, namely his high-pitched voice, while also emphasising his playful arrogance, making the banter between him and Harper Lee (Catherine Keener) especially fun to watch. At the same time, it would have been easy for Hoffman to overplay the role and make of Capote a campy caricature, but instead he employs respectful restraint, rightly netting him that Oscar. Quote: "Ever since I was a child, folks have thought they had me pegged, because of the way I am, the way I talk. And they're always wrong."