 Continuing with this momentum , Hoffman appeared in five films in 1998 . He had supporting roles in the crime thriller Montana and the romantic comedy Next Stop Wonderland , both of which were commercial failures , before working with the Coen brothers in their dark comedy The Big Lebowski . Hoffman had long been a fan of the directors and relished the experience of working with them . Appearing alongside Jeff Bridges and John Goodman , Hoffman played Brandt , the smug personal assistant of the titular character . Although it was only a small role , he claimed it was one that he was most recognized for , in a film that has achieved cult status and a large fan @-@ base . Between March and April 1998 , Hoffman made 30 appearances on stage at the New York Theatre Workshop in a production of Mark Ravenhill 's Shopping and Fucking , portraying an ex @-@ heroin addict . 
