Philip Seymour Hoffman’s will: Actor wished for son to stay away from Hollywood

The late actor’s will was released by the Manhattan Surrogate’s Court yesterday

Jenn Selby
Thursday 20 February 2014 10:36 GMT
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Philip Seymour Hoffman struggled with drug addiction
Philip Seymour Hoffman struggled with drug addiction (AP)

Philip Seymour Hoffman’s final wish for his son Cooper, now 10, was to be raised outside of Hollywood.

The late actor’s will was released by the Manhattan Surrogate’s Court yesterday.

"It is my strong desire, and not direction to my guardian, that my son, Cooper Hoffman, be raised and reside in or near the borough of Manhattan in the State of New York, or Chicago Illinois, or San Francisco, California," Hoffman stated in the 13-page document, originally signed in October 2004 before his two daughters, Tallulah, seven, and Willa, three, were born.

He added that "if my Guardian cannot reside in any of these cities," he requested his son "visit these cities at least twice per year…so that my son will be exposed to the culture, arts, and architecture that such cities offer."

However, according to several US reports, New York probate attorney Ann-Margaret Carrozza said "That is not a very typical clause," and added that it wasn’t legally enforceable.

"That's why he said, 'It is my strong desire, and not direction.' It's a really touching statement. It's also striking he didn't include Los Angeles in his list of cities."

Along with these wishes, Hoffman also left the bulk of his estate to Mimi O’Donnell, his long-term partner and the mother of his three children.

The value of his estate is unknown, but it is estimated, according to People magazine, to be just upwards of $500,000.

His sister Suzanne had been appointed a second guardian of his children, should anything happen to O’Donnell, while his estate would go to his producing partner Emily Ziff.

Hoffman was found dead on the floor of his bathroom in his Greenwich Village apartment on Sunday 2 February just after 12pm.

His initial autopsy results were ruled inconclusive by a New York medical examiner. However, police suspect that he died of a heroin overdose.

A funeral for the family and friends of the late Capote star was held in New York on 7 February 2014. Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Meryl Streep, Justin Theroux, Amy Adams and Michelle Williams also attended.

Four people have since been arrested in connection with the 350 bags of heroin discovered by investigators in his flat.

One man charged with felony heroin possession with an intent to sell was saxophonist Robert Vineberg, 57, a session musician who played for Amy Winehouse, David Bowie and Mick Jagger in the past.

Read More: Amy Adams Blasts Valentino For Hoffman Funeral PR Stunt
Hollywood's Drug Addiction: Why Did No-one Care About Hoffman's Addiction Until It Killed Him?
Drake 'Disgusted' Rolling Stone Gave His Cover To Philip Seymour Hoffman

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