It’s been ten years, this past weekend, since Philip Seymour Hoffman died. He was a direct descendant of Barend Kool from Amsterdam and Marietje de Grauw from Aalsmeer. Barend became superintendent on all import and export of liquor after arriving in New Amsterdam, officially “the Elder of the Beer Porters”. Marietje became super parent of their nine children.
Philip decided at an early age that he needed to handle liquor responsibly, after turbulent teenage years. Successfully rehabbed himself off drugs and alcohol at 22, then didn’t touch a needle or a glass for 23 years, and became the top actor the world came to admire. Until.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, 46, was found dead in his apartment on Feb. 2, 2014, the needle still in his arm. His star as a widely loved movie star still shines undiminished.