Cate Blanchett was close friends with actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who died on Sunday following a drug overdose. The Oscar winner, who is up for another for her performance in Blue Jasmine, pulled out of morning show appearances on Wednesday to grieve in private.
Blanchett stars in George Clooney’s The Monuments Men, which opens on Sunday, and was set to promote the film on ABC’s Good Morning America and then Live! With Kelly and Michael this morning, reports The Hollywood Reporter. However, the Australian actress’ rep said that the appearances were cancelled “to allow Cate the time and privacy to grieve for the loss of her friend Philip Seymour Hoffman.”
While Blanchett, 44, did not do the talk show rounds, she still made an appearance at the New York premiere for Monuments Men Tuesday night, notes The Daily Mail. She was seen wearing a black, white-spotted dress with black heels.
Blanchett appeared in The Talented Mr. Ripley with Hoffman in 1999. She had been in California this weekend for a film festival, but rushed to New York to meet with Hoffman’s partner, Mimi O’Connell on Monday.
The media cancellations also come at a time when Blanchett has been put in an odd position. Her Blue Jasmine director Woody Allen is at the center of sexual abuse allegations. “It's obviously been a long and painful situation for the family and I hope they find some resolution and peace,” Blanchett said about the situation at the Santa Barbara Film Festival.
Blanchett previously won an Oscar for her supporting role in The Aviator.