Yesterday, Sunday February 2, was marked by the death of Phillip Seymour Hoffman – a Hollywood heavyweight with more than two decades of acting and over under his belt. He was 46. At that age, he was already an Academy Award winner for his portrayal of author Truman Capote in the 2005 biopic "Capote”, Hoffman was widely recognized as one of the best character actors in the business.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Opening Night After Party
Hoffman's career spanned more than two decades and 60 films.

"He gave performances of sacred and terrifying intensity," noted stage director Peter Sellars, who worked with Hoffman in productions of Shakespeare's "Othello" and "The Merchant of Venice” said for the LA Times. "Phil burned so brightly and with such unrelenting love — it made him one of the great theater performers of his or any generation."

Hoffman was found in in his bathroom with a needle stuck in his left forearm at about 11:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, police said. Two glassine envelops, containing what was thought to be heroin, were also discovered near his body, along with five empty ones in the trash. The official cause of death, however, is yet to be determined by the city medical examiner. The incident was part of Hoffman’s long-term addiction. Despite his dramatic prowess and enviable work ethic, Hoffman struggled with substance abuse for much of his life. He had publicly acknowledged these problems and sought treatment for them.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, Anthology Anniversary
His longstanding addiction was a fact he struggled with and openly admitted to.

"Anything I could get my hands on," Hoffman said of his drug and alcohol dependency on "60 Minutes" in 2006. "I liked it all." Despite this history, Hoffman had seemed to be firmly in recovery in recent months. With his name attached to several big commercial projects, including a supporting role in "The Hunger Games" tetralogy, which was near complete at the time of his death, Hoffman’s career appeared to be booming and, according to those who worked with him, he appeared to be in good health and spirits. The release of "Mockingjay" Part I and Part II will not be delayed by the tragedy, Lionsgate have announced.

Hunger Games Cast, Catching Fire Film Premiere
His work as head gamemaker Plutarch Heavensbee in the "Hunger Games" franchise was nearly complete.

"We spent some time together only two weeks ago and he seemed in a good place despite some issue he had to deal with," said Anton Corbijn, director of "A Most Wanted Man," for The Times.

Last month, Hoffman traveled to the Sundance Film Festival to promote the film, set for release this year, in which he portrays a grizzled counter-terrorism operative. He was also Hoffman also was scheduled to direct the Prohibition-era drama "Ezekiel Moss" starring Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal.

He is survived by his three young children, Tallulah, 7; Willa, 5; and Cooper, 10, and his longtime partner, Mimi O'Donnell, artistic director of New York's Labyrinth Theater Company. "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone," Hoffman's family said in a statement, quoted by The Times. "Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers."