Oscar-Winning Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman Is Dead at 46

Multiple outlets are confirming that Philip Seymour Hoffman has been found dead in his Greenwich Village apartment. The Academy Award-winning actor was just 46 years old.

Philip Seymour Hoffman in 2012's The Master.

The details of Hoffman’s passing aren’t yet entirely known but all appearances suggest that a drug overdose was the cause of death. The New York Times cites law enforcement sources as saying, “Investigators found a syringe in his arm and an envelope containing what is believed to be heroin.” Hoffman was found by a friend, screenwriter David Katz, who had become concerned when he was unable to get in touch with Hoffman

Hoffman’s struggles with substance abuse are well documented. The actor himself opened up about his battle with addiction around the time he voluntarily checked into a rehab facility this past summer. Prior to that bout with prescription drugs and heroin, Hoffman had reportedly been clean for 23 years.

Hoffman will be remembered as one of the greatest actors of his generation, and not just for his Oscar and Golden Globe winning turn as Truman Capote in 2005’s Capote. He was a consistent standout performer, regardless of the size of his role. His effete, mildly delusional Scotty J. was one of the best parts of Boogie Nights. In just a few minutes of screen time he was able to encapsulate and convey all the burned-out cool of Lester Bangs in Almost Famous. In 2013 he joined the cast of the Hunger Games franchise in the monster hit The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Much more than a big name to fill a new role, Hoffman brought depth and gravitas to a character who was relatively forgettable in the books.

The actor was set to reprise his role as game smaster Plutarch Heavensbee in the next Hunger Games film, Mockingjay – Part 1 and 2, due in November 2014 and November 2015, respectively. He also had a new Showtime series, Happyish, in the works.

Via WSJ

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