Meet Cooper Hoffman, who’s following in dad Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Hollywood footsteps

Sep 7 , 2024

Cooper Hoffman finds acting connects him with his late dad, Philip Seymour Hoffman. Photos: @miraestapeliya, @thombrowne/Instagram

He made his debut in 2021’s Licorice Pizza, garnered a Golden Globe nomination, and is set to star in a racy thriller opposite Olivia Wilde

Following in a parent’s footsteps in any industry can be a daunting experience. Particularly in Hollywood, where even the smallest moves can be magnified and scrutinised.

For Cooper Hoffman, having two parents who are prominent faces in the film industry comes with plenty of pressure. He is the son of the late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and costume designer Mimi O’Donnell. Entering the industry has become a way for young Hoffman to connect with his late father, who died a decade ago when Hoffman was just 11 years old.

With a Golden Globe nomination already under his belt, Cooper is set to star in a racy thriller I Want Your Sex opposite actress Olivia Wilde and pop star Charli XCX.

Here’s everything we know about him.

How did Cooper Hoffman get into acting?

Cooper Hoffman has been involved in several film projects in the past couple of years. Photo: @rbcasting/Instagram

Hoffman, 21, has proved himself to be a natural talent, starring in a number of major productions since 2022.

Despite receiving accolades though, he did not always want to be in film. In an interview, he revealed that he viewed acting as something his father – who had iconic roles as writer Truman Capote in Capote and Plutarch Heavensbee in The Hunger Games series – excelled in, and he never felt he would be any good at it. Even in school, he would only join plays as backstage help.

“I don’t think I ever really considered it a possibility. I was always kind of scared to enter that arena because my dad did it so well,” he told AP shortly after being cast in his first role, in the 2021 film Licorice Pizza.

Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman at the premiere of Licorice Pizza – both made their big screen debuts in the film. Photo: @stereogum/Instagram

Hoffman received an invitation from the writer and director of the film, Paul Thomas Anderson, to read for a part, after which he became instantly hooked on giving acting a try.