Cooper Hoffman never intended to become an actor. The son of the late Oscar-winner Philip Seymour Hoffman initially resisted following in his father’s footsteps, concerned about inevitable comparisons. “I didn’t want to compete with his legacy,” Hoffman explains. That changed when family friend Paul Thomas Anderson offered him the lead role in 2021’s “Licorice Pizza,” marking both his acting debut and a Golden Globe-nominated performance.
Now 22, Hoffman stars in the upcoming adaptation of Stephen King’s dystopian novel “The Long Walk.” The film depicts a brutal walking competition where teenage participants must maintain a specific speed or face execution. Hoffman portrays Ray Garraty, a contestant whose motivation stems from grief over his father’s death.
The physical demands of filming proved challenging. “We walked several miles daily in boots that weren’t exactly comfortable,” Hoffman recalls. “You’re layered up in hot weather, and by day’s end, your feet are killing you.” Despite the discomfort, he emphasizes the strong camaraderie among the young cast members.
Hoffman acknowledges certain parallels between his character’s experience and his own life. At age 10, he lost his father to a drug overdose. “Of course you think about it when the material touches on similar themes,” he says. “But as an actor, you have to approach each character’s truth separately.”
Before his acting career began, Hoffman worked various jobs, including construction during the recent actors’ strike. His rapid rise from complete novice to leading man came with its share of challenges. During “Licorice Pizza,” he admits, “I was so nervous I threw up on set one day. There’s this inherent fear of messing up when everyone’s watching.”
Since his debut, Hoffman has deliberately sought demanding roles that push his boundaries. He recently completed an off-Broadway production featuring a live sheep and an upcoming erotic thriller that took him “miles outside my comfort zone.” He describes this pattern as self-imposed “trial by fire” education.
When asked about inherited talent, Hoffman dismisses the notion. “Being born into something doesn’t guarantee ability, just as not being born into it doesn’t mean you can’t develop it,” he states. The best advice came from his mother, who told him, “You’re enough. People will care about your work because of your own life experiences.”
“The Long Walk” arrives in theaters on September 12.
