Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead from apparent overdose
Danny Moloshok / AP file
Philip Seymour Hoffman at the premiere of "A Most Wanted Man" on Jan. 19.
Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead Sunday in his New York City apartment, law enforcement officials confirmed to NBC News. He was 46.
A concerned friend, described as a screenwriter with access to the actor's apartment, found Hoffman alone in his apartment and called 911. When police arrived about 11:30 a.m., they found Hoffman sitting on the toilet in the bathroom in his underwear and a shirt with a syringe in his arm. Four empty bags of what is believed to be heroin were found nearby. The "branding" on the heroin bags was "Ace of Spades" and "Ace of Hearts," police told NBC News.
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone," his family said in a statement. "His is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers."
Most recently, Hoffman was at the Sundance Film Festival promoting his film "God's Pocket," opposite "Mad Men" actors Christina Hendricks and John Slattery. The actor was also set to star in a new Showtime comedy, "Happyish," which was introduced to TV critics last month in Los Angeles. One of Hoffman's last taped interviews can be seen here.
Born in Fairport, New York, the versatile actor was accomplished in both theater and on the big screen. He earned three Tony nominations, three supporting actor Academy Award nominations (including 2012's "The Master"), and won a best actor Oscar for 2005's "Capote." He was most recently seen as Plutarch Heavensbee in the "Hunger Games" sequel "Catching Fire."
Philip Seymour Hoffman won an Oscar for his lead role on "Capote."
Hoffman was not a traditional-looking leading man, but carried a twinkle in his eye and a gravitas to his manner and voice that made him a formidable presence on the screen, whether as the charismatic cult leader in "Master," a beleaguered priest in 2008's "Doubt" or the suspicious playboy in 1999's "The Talented Mr. Ripley. He rarely took television roles, but got one of his earliest breaks on "Law & Order" as a punk who commits sexual assault, in 1991.
Hoffman's three Tony nominations came from his work on three Broadway plays: two for best leading actor in "True West" in 2000 and "Death of a Salesman" in 2012; and one for best featured actor in "Long Day's Journey into Night" in 2003."
Hoffman had a son and two daughters with his longtime partner, Mimi O’Donnell.
Celebrities immediately began tweeting their shock and condolences.
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