Philip Seymour Hoffman’s death has sent shock waves through Hollywood after learning of his apparent overdose this morning. While tweets from celebs and fans are pouring in, it is his family who is in unbelievable shock and pain after learning of his death. His family has released the following statement just before noon on Sunday, “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.” As CDL reported, PSH is survived by longtime girlfriend Mimi O’Donnell, and his three young children.
PSH, 46, was expected to pick up his children this morning. It was shortly after his failure to show up that his personal assistant and a friend, playwright David Katz, showed up at the Greenwich apartment to check on him. Upon finding him in his bathroom, almost naked with a needle still in his arm, they called police. The family is in so much agony over his loss, most specifically because it was preventable. Mimi must be carrying a huge burden of guilt, as she didn’t see the signs of another relapse. She thought he was on the right track, and is now faced with raising their young children, all under age 11, by herself.
The talented actor, playing everything from a drag queen to a Catholic priest, had major roles in several prolific movies and won the Best Actor Academy Award for his lead role in Capote. Seymour Hoffman was the second of four children, born to Marilyn O’Connor, a family-court judge, and Gordon Hoffman, a salesman. Philip Seymour Hoffman 7/23/67 – 2/1/14.