Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Sunday, Feb. 2 from an apparent drug overdose. Law enforcement officials told CNN that the 46-year-old actor was found on the floor of his bathroom with a needle in his left arm. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Law enforcement also said that eight empty glassine-type bags that usually contain heroin were found in the apartment. The bags were stamped with "Ace of Spades" and "Ace of Hearts," which is a street name for the drugs. Police told CNN that two bags were discovered by the body with what they believe to be heroin inside.
"We are devastated by the loss of our bellowed Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone. This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving," Hoffman's family said in a statement. "Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers."
The actor, who kept a relatively low profile, won an Academy Award for best actor for his role in the 2005 biopic "Capote." Last month a movie he starred in premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
"He seemed really in good spirits, and it's just so shocking," CNN Entertainment Commentator Krista Smith, who interviewed the actor at the festival, said. "Because, just looking at his body of work and knowing how many actors revered him and how they look up to him... The one thing that was so special about him is that he crossed all platforms... Every genre, he managed to fit in and just be brilliant at whatever he was doing."
Hoffman opened up about his addiction troubles to TMZ last year telling the site that he had relapsed and entered rehab. Hoffman said that he was able to kick his substance abuse habit for 23 years but had recently fallen off the wagon and had started snorting heroin and taking prescription pills.
Hoffman is survived by his three children and his longtime partner, Mimi O'Donnell.
