Gone too soon, the late Phillip Seymore Hoffman is arguably one of the most underrated actors of the last generation. From villain to protagonist to comic relief, Hoffman never missed when he stepped into a role.

Owen Davian

Mission Impossible 3

Owen Davian is arguably one of the best villains in the Mission Impossible franchise. His unshakable demeanor and detached brutality make him a truly terrifying antagonist. If the villains make the movie, we have Phillip Seymore Hoffman to thank for Mission Impossible 3.

Photography: Paramount Pictures

Truman Capote

Capote

Hoffman won an Academy Award for best actor in this biopic of author, Truman Capote. And he deserved it for bringing this heartbreaking and captivating story to life.

Photography: Sony Pictures

Plutarch Heavensbee

The Hunger Games

Cool, calculating, and always 5 steps ahead. Plutarch Heavensbee is the perfect "man behind the curtain," and Hoffman couldn't have been a better fit for the role.

Photography: Lionsgate

Gust Avrakotos

Charlie Wilson's War

In yet another drama based on a true story, Hoffman plays a CIA agent in the 80s, orchestrating the arming of Afghanistan so they can fight off the Soviets. Like Plutarch, but in real life, agent Avrakotos pulls the strings behind closed doors to shift the balance of power.

Photography: Universal Pictures

Lancaster Dodd

The Master

In terms of acting chops, there aren't many better pairings than Joaquin Phoenix and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Add a great script and excellent directing, you get The Master. A tale of belief, doubt, and the desire to belong.

If you haven't seen it, I can't recommend it enough.

@Credit Photography: The Weinstein Company

Art Howe

Moneyball

Again, Hoffman steps into the role of a real person in this based-on-a-true-story adaptation. In the movie, he plays the antagonist of Billy Beane. A general manager who recruits new players using statistical analysis, instead of traditional performance.

Photography: Columbia Pictures

Sandy Lyle

Along Came Polly

Sandy Lyle is a real departure from the typical characters Hoffman plays, but the fact that he nails it is a real testament to his range. He plays a crass child star with narcissistic tendencies, and his performance will have you wheezing in fits of laughter.

Photography: Jersey Films

Father Flynn, Doubt

With the acting chops Hoffman has, it's no surprise that he'd take on the film adaptation of Doubt, an incredibly popular stage play. In the film, Hoffman plays a Catholic priest suspected of inappropriate conduct with an altar boy.

This ingenious story not only explores doubt as a theme, but leaves us with doubt about the guilt, or lack thereof of Father Flynn. It takes a very nuanced portrayal to sell that kind of doubt and Hoffman, as usual, knocks it out of the park.

Photography: Miramax Films

Scotty J, Boogie Nights

Amongst a star-studded cast, Hoffman manages to stand out in his role as Scotty J. A closeted boom operator with an affection for Eddie. His awkwardness and transparency serve as comic relief in this film but also make him one of the most sympathetic characters in the film. Many argue that he steals the show in this one.

Photography: New Line Cinema