There is no denying that Philip Seymour Hoffman was an immensely talented actor. From the stage to the big screen, Hoffman delighted fans from of all ages enjoyed his work. Hoffman was also one of the most popular actors in the game among his colleagues.
Unfortunately, Hollywood has lost another one of its great talents to drug addiction. Hoffman, who admitted to battling heroin addiction in his youth, had been sober for more than 25 years before taking up the drug again in 2013. He entered rehab in May, 2013, and on February 2nd, his life ended due to a heroin overdose. As reported in gma.yahoo.com.
Investigators found roughly 50 bags of heroin and used syringes in Hoffman’sWest Village apartment. The Oscar-winning actor was found inside his New York apartment dead at the age of 46.
He was found by his friend and screenwriter David Bar Katz who checked on the actor after he failed to pick up his three children. He was last seen at 8 p.m. Saturday night.
Investigators found 50 bags of heroin along with used syringes in Hoffman's apartment along with drug paraphernalia and prescription drugs.
Hoffman was known as an actor's actor, a performer who embraced the acting craft while shirking much of the celebrity surrounding his success. His early career was marked by supporting roles – snotty student George Willis, Jr. in "Scent of a Woman"; brown-nosing assistant Brant in "The Big Lebowski"; smarmy boom operator Scotty in "Boogie Nights."
His success in "Boogie Nights," directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, served as his breakout, and from there he continued to churn out powerful performances. In "Magnolia," Hoffman shined as Phil, a nurse caring for a dying patient. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" showcased Hoffman's scene-stealing abilities alongside Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jude Law.
Hoffman didn't look like an A-list star. Too doughy and too normal-looking were used to describe him. Those looks allowed him to slink into his roles, to bring unique, genuine touch to his characters.
By 2005, the actor's actor became a leading man. His performance in "Capote" – which detailed Truman Capote's experience penning the book "In Cold Blood" – earned Hoffman the Best Actor Academy Award and the Golden Globe Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.
Three additional Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominations followed – for "The Master," "Doubt," and "Charlie Wilson's War."
Hoffman battled addiction as well – receiving treatment for drug and alcohol addiction in his early 20s, not long after graduating from New York University.
Hoffman said he was lucky he got sober before becoming famous and had the money to feed his addiction.
The actor said he kicked the habit for 23 years and remained sober until May 2013, when he briefly relapsed – after admitting to snorting heroin – and returned to rehab, spending 10 days in a detox program.
Beyond movies, Hoffman also shined on Broadway, receiving two Tony nominations for Best Actor in 2000 for a revival of Sam Shepard's "True West" and again in 2003 for a revival of Eugene O'Neill's "Long Day's Journey into Night."
In 2012, Hoffman starred as Willy Loman in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," receiving rave reviews from critics and his third Tony Award nomination as Best Leading Actor in a Play.
Hoffman's passing comes amid a flurry of new and upcoming projects. He appears in the 2014 movies "God's Pocket" and "A Most Wanted Man," along with "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay" Part 1 and 2, scheduled for release in the coming years.
He was also slated to star in the Showtime series, "Happyish."
Hoffman is survived by his girlfriend, costume designer Mimi O'Donnell, their son, Cooper, 10 and two daughters, Tallulah, 7, and Willa, 5.
This is yet another tragic end for one of Hollywood’s brightest talents. I hope his death serves as a beacon for those suffering from drug addiction issues.