Shock, grief and tributes follow death of Philip Seymour Hoffman
Oscar-winning actor found in his apartment with syringe still in his arm, police say
Friends, peers, family members and countless fans were in grief after Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his Greenwich Village flat with what law-enforcement officials said was a syringe in his arm.
The 46-year-old actor had been expected to pick up his children but failed to show, prompting playwright David Katz and another person to go to his apartment, where they found him dead. Two envelopes containing what was thought to be heroin were near his body, and five empty envelopes were found in the trash, police said.
“This is a horrible day for those who worked with Philip. He was a giant talent,” said Tom Hanks, who starred with Hoffman in Charlie Wilson’s War.
“I feel so fortunate to have known and worked with the extraordinary Philip Seymour Hoffman, and am deeply saddened by his passing,” said Julianne Moore, who co-starred with Hoffman in Boogie Nights, Magnolia and The Big Lebowski.
George Clooney, who appeared alongside Hoffman in The Ides of March, said: “There are no words ... It’s just terrible.”
A person with knowledge of the situation said the actor’s death would not affect the release of two upcoming Hunger Games movies. Hoffman’s work on The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 was substantially complete and he had seven remaining days to shoot on The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2, the person said.