Philip Seymour Hoffman wins Oscar best male actor

Philip Seymour Hoffman went from character actor to best actor Sunday night, winning the Oscar for his complex performance in "Capote."

Photo: Philip Seymour Hoffman wins Oscar best male actor

In a year of strong male roles, Hoffman was the overwhelming favorite. His portrayal of Truman Capote during the years the author was researching and writing "In Cold Blood" has been universally hailed as a triumph of transformation. He already had won the Golden Globe, Independent Spirit and Screen Actors Guild awards, as well as top honors from critics groups across the country.

Hoffman was up against a tough field, including two other actors who gave evocative performances of iconic figures: Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in "Walk the Line" and David Strathairn as Edward R. Murrow in "Good Night, and Good Luck."

Also in the running were Heath Ledger as a cowboy tormented by his gay love affair in "Brokeback Mountain" and Terrence Howard as a pimp with dreams of rap stardom in "Hustle & Flow."

The Academy Award comes after years of building a career on daring and often difficult supporting parts, including the porn-star hanger-on in "Boogie Nights," the scheming dandy in "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and the obscene phone caller in "Happiness." He‘s proven he‘s equally adept at comedy, playing rock journalist Lester Bangs in "Almost Famous," a drag queen in "Flawless" and a former child star in "Along Came Polly," reports the AP.

I.L.