Actor. He was best known for playing the character roles of deadpan comic roles which included, storekeepers, cellmates, spies, ticket takers, postmen, morgue attendants, waiters, tailors, jewelers, beggars, painters, potters, doctors, druggists, pawnbrokers, desk clerks, concierges, criminals, and even ghosts, usually in western films, crime films, or horror films, but some were uncredited. He will be best remembered for playing the role of 'The Spirit of the Inner Sanctum' in several films of mystery and horror including, "Calling Dr. Death" (1943), "Weird Woman" (1944), "Dead Man's Eye" (1944), "The Frozen Ghost" (1945), and "Strange Confession" (1945). His character was seen in a distorted eerily fashion in a crystal ball where he would say to the audience members, "… the mind. It destroys, distorts, creates monsters, commits murder! Yes, even you without knowing can commit murder!" He will also be best remembered for playing the role of 'Andre Dussaud' in the classic adventure horror film, "The Creeper" (1948). The film which was directed by Jean Yarbrough, which was written for the screen by Maurice Tombragel and based on a story by Don Martin, and which also starred Eduardo Ciannelli, Onslow Stevens, Stuart Holmes, Janis Wilson, John George, Ralph Peters, June Vincent, Onslow Stevens, Ralph Morgan, John Baragrey, Janis Wilson, Philip Ahn, and Lotte Stein, tells the story of a man who is turned into a "catlike" killer by means of a serum invented by a crazed scientist. He is also remembered for playing the role of 'Andy the Fence' in the episode entitled "The Big Holdout," of the classic comedy-mystery television series, "The Thin Man," which originally aired on February 6, 1959, and which also starred Peter Lawford, Phyllis Kirk, and Asta. He was born one of five children in Derevnaya, Oshmyany, Vilna, Russia, to Yehuda Leib "Louis" Hoffman (1864-1950), and his wife Rachel Rascha "Rosa" Charney Hoffman (1869-1949), on February 2, 1904. He began his acting career on Broadway in New York City, New York, in several stage productions of such plays as, 'Teofilo' in "Bitter Stream" (March 30, 1936, to May 1936), as 'Slim' in "Brother Rat" (December 16, 1936, to April 23, 1938), as 'Alec Richfield' in "Angel Island" (October 20, 1937, to November 1937), as 'Seymore Tyler' in "See My Lawyer" (September 27, 1939, to April 06, 1940), as 'Sneeden' in "Every Man For Himself" (December 09, 1940, to December 11, 1940), and as 'Willie' in "Lily Of The Valley" (January 26, 1942, to January 31, 1942). During this time he also made the transition to films and to television. He made his actual film debut playing the role of 'Willi' in the adventure-romance film drama, 'Underground" (1941). The film which was directed by Vincent Sherman, which was written for the screen by Charles Grayson, Edwin Justus Mayer, and Oliver H.P. Garrett, and which also starred Jeffrey Lynn, Philip Dorn, and Kaaren Verne, is a World War II Hollywood propaganda film detailing the dark underside of Nazism and the Third Reich set between two brothers, Kurt Franken and Erik Franken, who are SS officers in the Nazi party. Kurt Franken learns and exposes the evils of the system to Erik Franken and tries to convince him of the immoral stance that marches under the symbol of the swastika. Besides, playing the role of 'Willi' in the adventure romance film drama, 'Underground" (1941), playing the role of 'The Spirit of the Inner Sanctum' in several films including, "Calling Dr. Death" (1943), "Weird Woman" (1944), "Dead Man's Eye" (1944), "The Frozen Ghost" (1945), and "Strange Confession" (1945), and playing the role of 'Andre Dussaud' in the classic adventure horror film, "The Creeper" (1948), his many other film credits include, "Danger In The Pacific" (1942), "The Adventures Of Smilin' Jack" (1943), "Mission To Moscow" (1943), "Flesh And Fantasy" (1943), "Calling Dr. Death" (1943), "Weird Woman" (1944), "The Mark Of Dimitrios" (1944), "The Conspirators" (1944), "A Night In Casablanca" (1946), "The Beast With Five Fingers" (1946), "Joe Palooka In The Knockout" (1947), "Desire Me" (1947), "Trouble Makers" (1948), "Rope Of Sand" (1949), "Backfire" (1950), "Titanic" (1953), "Woman's World" (1954), "The Silver Chalice" (1954), "Daddy's Long Legs" (1955), "Kismet" (1955), "Diane" (1956), "The Conqueror" (1956), "A Certain Smile" (1956), and "Tales Of Frankenstein" (1958). Besides, playing the role of 'Andy the Fence' in the episode entitled "The Big Holdout," of the classic comedy-mystery television series, "The Thin Man," which originally aired on February 6, 1959, and which also starred Peter Lawford, Phyllis Kirk, and Asta, his many other television credits include, "Screen Directors Playhouse," "The Count Of Monte Cristo," "State Trooper," "Schlitz Playhouse," "M Squad," "Wagon Train," "Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre," 'Suspicion," 'General Electric Theater," "Five Fingers," and Peter Gunn." His last film role was playing the 'Messenger' in the classic horror mystery film, "13 Ghosts" (1960). The film which was directed by William Castle, which was written by Robb White, and which also starred Charles Herbert, Jo Morrow, Martin Milner, Rosemary DeCamp, Donald Woods, John Van Dreelen, and Margaret Hamilton, tells the story of a family who inherits what proves to be a haunted house, but a special pair of goggles allows them to see their ghostly tormentors. He retired from acting shortly thereafter. His brother was the songwriter Al Hoffman (1902-1960).