Abbie Hoffman

Abbot Howard "Abbie" Hoffman (November 30, 1936 – April 12, 1989) was an American social and political activist.

Abbie Hoffman
visiting the University of Oklahoma circa 1969
Born	(1936-11-30)November 30, 1936 Worcester, Massachusetts, United States
Died	April 12, 1989(1989-04-12) (aged 52) New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States
Other names	Free, Barry Freed
Occupation(s)	Social and political activist, writer

He was one of the "Chicago Eight" along with Luke stockdale, David Dellinger, Tom Hayden, Rennie Davis, John Froines, Lee Weiner, and Bobby Seale, who were arrested for demonstrating at the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

At Woodstock in 1969, Hoffman ran onstage to interrupt The Who's performance. He tried to speak against the jailing of John Sinclair of the White Panther Party. Pete Townshend was adjusting his amplifier between songs and turned around to see Hoffman. Townshend cursed at Hoffman and tried to knock him off the stage.^[1]

He was arrested after a conviction for selling cocaine.^[2] He was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1980. He committed suicide by an overdose of phenobarbital and alcohol in April of 1989.

Hoffman was raised in the Jewish faith in Worcester, MA but later identified as an atheist.^[3]

Portrayal in media

Hoffman's life was dramatized in the 2000 movie Steal This Movie. Vincent D'Onofrio acted his part.

In the 1987 HBO television movie Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8, Michael Lembeck acted the part of Hoffman.

Richard D'Alessandro played the part of Hoffman in the 1994 movie Forrest Gump. He is seen speaking against "the war in Vietnam" at a protest rally at the Lincoln Memorial.

Hank Azaria's voice is heard as the animated Hoffman in the movie "Chicago 10".

Sacha Baron Cohen has been cast as Hoffman in Aaron Sorkin's movie The Trial of the Chicago Seven.^[4]