Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment on Sunday, as a result of an apparent heroin overdose. He was 46 years old.
The actor, lauded for his ability to portray complex, troubled characters was discovered by playwright David Katz, who went to the apartment after Hoffman missed an appointment to pick up his three children on Sunday morning. He was found with a needle in his arm and an envelope of what appeared to be heroin nearby. Police say that he was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the New York Post, Hoffman checked into a rehabilitation program last year for abusing prescription pills and heroin after being sober for 23 years.
Hoffman had an extremely prolific and successful career, having appeared in over 50 films in less than 25 years. His most notable performance in “Capote” won him an Oscar for Best Actor in 2005. He was also nominated for a Tony Award in 2012 for his Broadway role as Willy Loman in “Death of a Salesman.”
Hoffman’s death sparked responses of shock and sorrow from fellow actors, directors, critics and fans alike. Mike Nichols, who directed Hoffman in “Charlie Wilson’s War,” said in a statement “No words for this. He was too great and we’re too shattered.”