The funeral of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has taken place in New York. The private funeral was attended by many big name stars who all wanted to show their respects for the actor including Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Diane Sawyer and her director husband Mike Nichols, Amy Adams, Ethan Hawke, Ellen Burstyn, Michelle Williams, Louis C.K., Mary Louise Parker, Laura Linney, Jerry Stiller, Chris Rock, Marisa Tomei, Joaquin Phoenix, Spike Lee, Julianne Moore,John Slattery and Brian Dennehey.
Spike Lee said of the deceased actor,
“Phil was a lovely guy, a great artist. I was only able to work with him one time, but I love him and, a big loss, a big loss.”
The actor’s coffin was brought from the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City by pallbearers and was put in a hearse as family and guests began left the Chruch on Friday afternoon.
“He left an enormous amount of love behind. It’s a terrible loss,” said Jose Rivera who is a playwright whose work has been produced by Hoffman’s LAByrinth Theatre Company.
He added about the service,
“It was quite beautiful and heartfelt and sincere, and everybody had a lot to remember, in terms of Phil,”.
The playwright David Bar Katz who found Hoffman’s body was very upset as he arrived for the funeral.
Understandably so. I can’t imagine what that was like for the man and I hope everyone is looking after him. I’m sure they are.
He is survived by his partner Mimi O’Donnell and their three children. I know the pain losing my dad and I feel terrible for them.
A bigger memorial service is being planned for later in the month and on Thursday evening, family and close friends of the star came together for a private wake at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home which is in Manhattan while the theatre community mourned the actor on Wednesday with a candlelit vigil outside his LAByrinth company with Broadway’s marquee lights turned off for a minute.