Stars of the world of entertainment pay tribute to Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, who was found dead in New York
Stars from the film world have paid tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman, one of the leading actors of his generation, who was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Sunday of an apparent drug overdose.
The 46-year-old was found dead in his apartment in Greenwich Village with what officials said was a needle in his arm.
Envelopes containing what was believed to be heroin were found with him, they said.
Late on Sunday, a body bag believed to contain Hoffman's remains was carried out of the apartment building on a stretcher, loaded into the back of a medical examiner's van and driven away.
Hoffman -- with his everyman physique and his often-dishevelled look -- was a character actor of such range and lack of vanity that he could seemingly handle roles of any size, on the stage and in movies that played in art houses or multi-screen cinemas.
Hoffman won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of writer Truman Capote and created a gallery of slackers, charlatans and other characters so vivid that he was regarded as one of the world's finest actors.
Among the many film stars to pay tribute to his talents was US actor Kevin Costner, who described Hoffman as a "very important actor," whose legacy "speaks for itself."
That was a view echoed by British actor Steve Coogan, who said Hoffman "raised the quality" of any film he was in, "just by his presence."
Also speaking at the London Critics' Circle Film Awards was Oscar-nominated film director Steve McQueen, who said the US actor had "the ability to translate humanity ... regardless if it was big or small screen."
Hoffman had spoken candidly over the years about his past struggles with drug addiction.
After 23 years sober, he admitted in interviews last year to falling off the wagon and developing a heroin problem that led to a stint in rehab.
Hoffman is survived by his partner of 15 years, Mimi O'Donnell, and their three children.
Source: APTN
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