 The journalist Jeff Simon described Hoffman as " probably the most in @-@ demand character actor of his generation " , but Hoffman claimed never to take it for granted he would be offered roles . Although he worked hard and regularly , he was humble about his acting success , and when asked by a friend if he was having any luck he quietly replied , " I 'm in a film , Cold Mountain , that has just come out . " Patrick Fugit , who worked with Hoffman on Almost Famous , recalled the actor was intimidating but an exceptional mentor and influence in " a school @-@ of @-@ hard @-@ knocks way " , remarking that " there was a certain weight that came with him " . Hoffman admitted that he sometimes appeared in big @-@ budget studio films for the money , but said , " ultimately my main goal is to do good work . If it doesn 't pay well , so be it . " He kept himself grounded and invigorated as an actor by attempting to appear on stage once a year . 
