The award-winning actor was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Sunday, the Wall Street Journal initially reported. The New York Police Department later confirmed the news.
The Wall Street Journal reports Hoffman was last seen alive around 8 p.m. on Saturday. When he didn't pick up his children on Sunday morning as expected, screenwriter David Katz and another person went to the apartment.
Katz found Hoffman in the bathroom around 11:15 a.m.
The cause of death is believed to be a drug overdose.
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“It’s pretty apparent that it was an overdose,” a law enforcement official said, according to the New York Times. “The syringe was in his arm.”
Investigators also found two plastic envelopes containing what looked like heroin, CNN reported.
Julie Blocker, a spokesperson for New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner, said an autopsy will take place on Monday.
Last May, the actor entered a rehab facility for drug abuse after having been sober since he was 22 years old.
In 2006, he told 60 Minutes that "he was thankful he got sober before he got famous.”
"I have so much empathy for these young actors that are 19 and all of a sudden they're beautiful and famous and rich. I'm like, 'Oh my God. I'd be dead.' You know what I mean? I'd be 19, beautiful, famous and rich. That would be it. I think back at that time. I think if I had the money, that kind of money and stuff. So, yeah [I would have died]."
Hoffman was known as one of Hollywood's best character actors. Stealing his scenes in movies as varied as "Boogie Nights" to "The Talented Mr. Ripley" to "Mission: Impossible III," he won an Oscar in 2006 for his portrayal of Truman Capote in "Capote."
Hoffman was also a prolific stage actor, and was nominated twice for Tony Awards — in 2000 for "True West" and in 2003 for "Long Day's Journey Into Night."
The actor had three children, a son and two daughters, with partner Mimi O'Donnell, a costume designer.
After his death, Hoffman's family released the following statement:
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved 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. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers.”
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