Philip Seymour Hoffman: Another Hollywood Tragedy

Philip Seymour Hoffman: Another Hollywood Tragedy

photo: Wenn

Philip Seymour Hoffman died from apparent drug overdose. The Oscar winning actor was found February 2th in his Manhattan West Village apartment. Investigators are suspecting an overdose of heroin and possibly other drugs.

Sadly another talented actor’s life ended too soon.  Philip Seymour Hoffman died February 2nd in his Manhattan West Village apartment.  The 46 year old Oscar winning actor died from an apparent drug overdose.  Thus far, the official cause of death is yet to be determined.  An autopsy began on Monday and should conclude late Tuesday.  Drug overdose is suspected based on the evidence found in his home.  Hoffman was found in his bathroom with a syringe in his arm and numerous small packets of heroin.  Officials also found unused syringes, a charred spoon, and a variety of prescription drugs.

Hoffman is survived by his longtime partner Mimi O’Donnell and their 3 children.  Born on July 23, 1967 in Fairport, NY, Hoffman was the second of four children.  His parents, Gordon Stowell Hoffman (a former Xerox executive) and Marilyn O’Connor (a family court judge/lawyer) divorced in 1976.  He began acting while attending high school after a neck injury forced him to give up wrestling.  In 1984, he was selected to attend theater school at the New York State Summer School of the Arts in Saratoga Springs.  Later he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in drama from New York University School of Arts.

Hoffman was a multi-award winning actor with the amazing ability to transform himself into many different characters.  His malleable features  earned him an Oscar for his portrayal of Truman Capote in the film “Capote” in 2005.  He was also nominated by the Academy for the films “Charlie Wilson’s War” (2007), “Doubt” (2008), and “The Master” (2012).  In addition to the Oscar, he won the SAG (Screen Actors Guild) and Golden Globes awards  for “Capote” in 2005.  Most recently, he was nominated for a Tony Award in 2012 for “Death of a Salesman” on Broadway.

Hoffman had a number of projects in the works at the time of his death.  Two independent films, “God’s Pocket” and “A Most Wanted Man”, were recently shown at the Sundance Film Festival.  He also shot a pilot episode of the Showtime series “Happyish”.  On the big screen he was seen in the 2013 hit “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”.

It is with a heavy heart that we say good-bye to such a talented actor and director.  May he rest in peace, and may his family and friends know he will always be remembered for his talent as well as his kind ways and big heart.

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