Cooper Hoffman Spills On Missing Dad Philip Seymour Hoffman’S Hollywood Wisdom: 'He’S My Fave Actor'

Cooper Hoffman’s Hollywood Heartache: Missing Dad’s Mentorship

Man, if there’s one thing that hits hard in the glitz of LA, it’s family ties - or the lack thereof. Cooper Hoffman, the rising star who first caught our eye in *Licorice Pizza*, is opening up about the giant void left by his late father, Philip Seymour Hoffman. The Oscar-winning legend, who tragically passed away in 2014 at just 46 from an apparent drug overdose, isn’t just a memory for Cooper; he’s the gold standard of acting, the ultimate SoCal dream that’s just out of reach.

In a raw convo with *GQ*, the 22-year-old didn’t hold back on how much he craves his dad’s guidance as he navigates the Hollywood hustle. Picture this: a young actor, stepping onto the red carpet, wishing he could text his pops for a quick pep talk. Cooper’s got that ache, saying he idolizes his dad not just as a parent, but as an artist whose work - think *Capote* and *The Master* - still lights up screens at every LA film fest.

Stepping into Big Shoes with a Side of Nerves

'I’d give anything to chat with my dad about this acting game, but honestly, I’d be shaking if he saw my work - even though I know he’d probably be my biggest cheerleader,'

Cooper dropped that gem, and you can feel the mix of love and fear. He’s torn between wanting Philip Seymour Hoffman’s feedback and being straight-up terrified of living up to that legacy. But knowing his dad’s rep for empathy, Cooper bets he’d get a supportive hand-hold through the tough Tinseltown critiques, not harsh judgment.

It’s not just talk - this longing hit hard when Cooper prepped for his Off Broadway debut in *Curse of the Starving Class* earlier this year. Feeling lost and underprepared, he found himself wishing for a heart-to-heart with the one person who’d get it. That’s the kind of real talk you hear over coffee in Silver Lake, where dreams and doubts mix with every sip.

Channeling Dad Through SoCal Cinema Vibes

Rewind to 2021, when Cooper made his debut in *Licorice Pizza*, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson - a name tied tight to his dad’s career with flicks like *Magnolia* and *Boogie Nights*. Working with Anderson felt like slipping into his father’s shoes, giving Cooper this trippy, out-of-body connection to Philip’s world. He told *The Independent* in 2022 how shooting in the Valley (that’s the San Fernando Valley for non-LA folks, the backdrop of so much cinematic magic) made him feel closer to his dad than ever.

Now, as he gears up for *The Long Walk*, a Stephen King adaptation hitting theaters on Sept. 12, Cooper’s still reflecting on that father-son bond. Directed by Francis Lawrence, who collaborated with Philip on the *Hunger Games* series, the project has Cooper digging into personal loss for his role. He shared with *Vanity Fair* how playing a character who’s lost a parent forced him to unpack his own complicated feelings - wanting to be like his dad, yet figuring out who he is on his own.

A Legacy That Looms Over LA

Let’s be real - carrying the Hoffman name in Hollywood is no small feat. Philip Seymour Hoffman’s performances are the stuff of legend, from late-night screenings at the ArcLight to heated debates at Venice Beach coffee shops. For Cooper, every role is a chance to honor that, even if it comes with the weight of comparison.

But he’s not just riding coattails - he’s carving his own lane, from the quirky charm of *Licorice Pizza* to the heavy feels of his upcoming projects. As he told *GQ*, he’s figuring this out solo, but damn, he’d love his dad’s advice - or just his dad, period. That’s the kind of raw, relatable story that cuts through the Hollywood haze, straight to the heart of anyone who’s ever chased a dream on these palm-lined streets.