Philip Seymour Hoffman dies aged 46

Hollywood actor and director Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead at his Manhattan apartment, in the Greenwich Village area at 11:30am local time, reportedly from a drug overdose. Police were called to the apartment by a friend of Hoffman’s.

The 46-year-old, best known for his roles in Boogie Nights, The Big Lebowski, and Capote, but most recently appearing in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, had struggled with a drug habit, for which he admitted himself to rehab last year, after reportedly remaining clean for 23 years. He told TMZ that the habit had started with the abuse of prescription pills, which soon escalated to the use of heroin. At the time he had attributed his recovery to his family and friends for helping the star seek professional help.

News of his death has shocked fans and collaborators alike. John Hurt said of the actor’s death “it’s a devastating loss. His contribution was massive”. He told the BBC: “He was a great actor, a great member of the film and theatre community. An extraordinary talent, directorially as well as an actor. He’ll be greatly missed.” This sad news comes just four years after Hoffman made his directing debut with Jack Goes Boating.

Hoffman was not only a talented screen actor, but also had a strong stage career, receiving two Tony nominations, and appearing in The Merchant of Venice, directed by Peter Sellars, a revival of Sam Shepherd’s True West, and various other productions. He was also co-artistic director of New York’s LAByrinth Theater Company, alongside his partner, Mimi O’Donnell, with whom he has three children.

“Success isn’t what makes you happy. It really isn’t. Success is doing what makes you happy and doing good work and hopefully having a fruitful life. If I’ve felt like I’ve done good work that makes me happy. The success part of it is all gravy.” – Philip Seymour Hoffman

Phoebe Person