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Hoffman was declared dead at the scene. Police officials said investigators recovered two small plastic bags suspected of containing heroin.

Many of Hollywood's biggest stars openly expressed their shock and grief. Robert de Niro said in Variety:

"This is one of those times where you say, ‘This just shouldn’t be. He was so young and gifted and had so much going, so much to live for’. My family and I send our deepest condolences to his family.”

On Sunday Night, the London Critics Award opened their ceremony with a standing ovation and tribute to the actor.

Hoffman won an Oscar for playing Truman Capote in 2005.  Despite looking nothing like Capote, Hoffman conjured the personality and mannerisms of the character almost as an "act of will," writes Kenneth Turan of the LA Times. This included staying in character in between shots and during breaks.

Hoffman was also nominated for an Academy Award for his supporting role in "Charlie Wilson's War" (2007), "Doubt" (2008) and "The Master" (2012). He has performed in more than 50 films from blockbusters like “Mission: Impossible III” (2006), “Moneyball” (2011) and “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” (2013) to cult favorites like Boogie Nights (1997) and "The Big Lebowski" (1998).

An accomplished theatre actor, he was nominated for three Tony awards for True West (2000) and Long Day's Journey Into Night (2003).

In 2012, he was nominated for his stage portrayal of Arthur Miller's title character in "Death of a Salesman."

In their memorium of the actor, The New York Times names Hoffman the "American actor of his generation."

He is survived by his partner of 15 years, Mimi O'Donnell, and their three children. 

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