UPDATE: People has confirmed through a police source that Philip Seymour Hoffman was found with a syringe in his arm and “that a clear envelope of what appeared to be heroin was found nearby.”
Earlier we reported:
Acclaimed actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won an Academy Award as best actor for his performance in 2005’s Capote, has been found dead in his Manhattan apartment, reports Wall Street Journal.
He was 46 and the cause of death has not yet been determined, although the New York Post reports the actor, who had battled drug addiction, was found in the bathroom with a hypodermic needle still in his arm.
Hoffman was one of the most versatile and in-demand actors of his generation. He first came to the attention of many moviegoers as Scotty, the gay member of a porn crew who is smitten with Mark Wahlberg’s Dirk Diggler, in 1997’s Boogie Nights. In the 1999 comedy Flawless, Hoffman vividly portrayed a drag queen who helped rehabilitate Robert DeNiro’s cop character after he suffered a stroke. Watch a clip in which his character reads a group of gay Republicans:
Despite there being no physical resemblance between the two men, Hoffman won numerous awards for his unforgettable performance as gay writer Truman Capote in the 2005 film, beating Heath Ledger’s searing turn as the closeted cowboy in Brokeback Mountain for many honors.
Last year TMZ reported that the actor had checked himself into a detox center for help with a prescription drug problem that had escalated to him snorting heroin. Ironically, news of Hoffman’s death comes just one day after his representatives issued a statement to deny he was dead after an internet hoax claimed the star had passed away on Saturday.
Caleb in SC
Such a great talent and a great loss.
Good job on getting this out there so quickly Queerty — you beat CNN and Fox News.
DShucking
He was gay?
Caleb in SC
No, but he played Capote, who was.
Ron Jackson
Law enforcement official: Actor wa found in the bathroom of 4th floor apartment with a needle in his arm. @wsj
DShucking
@Caleb in SC: Okay. Close enough. And he played a queen in that movie with Robert DeNiro where he read some log cabin republicans to filth!
the other Greg
Recently saw “Capote” again and was impressed again with how good Hoffman was in it. If you grew up in the ’70s, Truman Capote was just this drunken, bitchy, negative stereotype on late night TV talk shows (nice “gay role model” for teens, right?). But to see him portrayed in his younger, hard-working heyday was a revelation. To anyone here who’s never seen “Capote” or read “In Cold Blood” (the movie of that is good too), you should check them out!
DShucking
@the other Greg: I’m ashamed to say I haven’t seen Capote. I have it. Been meaning to watch it. Hoffman was great in Boogie Nights, which I thought was a wonderful movie with a great cast and Capote was good in Murder By Death. Another wonderful cast.
the other Greg
@DShucking: I’m ashamed to say I haven’t seen Boogie Nights! Will correct that ASAP. And damn, I forgot all about Truman himself as an actor in Murder By Death. Guess he occasionally sobered up in the ’70s!
TheNewEnergyDude
What a waste.
samwise343
@the other Greg: Sounds like the jimbryant type.
balehead
Amazing Actor…He had just broken up with his porn-star boyfriend??…
tjr101
So many great films and he was only 46. He achieved the highest point in his profession yet somehow it’s seems like we were robbed of what surely could’ve been much more great performances.
rbettenc
I was shocked to find out he was a user of drugs. So talented. Why do people turn to such things?
DShucking
I think the real shame is that he left 3 young children fatherless.