Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his New York City apartment earlier today of an apparent heroin overdose.  He was 46 years old.  According to the NY Daily News, Hoffman was found alone in the bathroom of his apartment with a needle in his arm.

Hoffman won the Academy Award for best actor for his role as famed author Truman Capote the 2005 film CAPOTE, and recently appeared at the Sundance Film Festival for the premiere of his movie  GOD’S POCKET which also stars John Turturro and Christina Hendricks. 

UPDATE: A search of the home of Philip Seymour Hoffman home turned up used syringes and approximately 50 bags of heroin, this according to law enforcement officials. [Variety]

UPDATE: The Berlin International Film Festival mourns the actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

In 2006 the Berlinale Competition presented Capote, the film directed by Bennett Miller which won Philip Seymour Hoffman a Golden Globe and later an Oscar as Best Actor.

This exceptional performer also appeared in Berlinale films like OWNING MAHOWNY (Panorama 2003) and Spike Lee’s 25TH HOUR (Competition 2003). He was unforgettable in the roles he played in two Berlinale films in 2000: Anthony Minghella’s THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY and Golden Bear winner MAGNOLIA directed by Paul Thomas Anderson. [ Berlin International Film Festival ]

UPDATE: Four people thought to be connected to the drugs found in Philip Seymour Hoffman’s apartment were arrested late Tuesday night [ CNN ]

UPDATE: An autopsy of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s body is inconclusive, and tests will be needed to determine what caused his death, the city medical examiner’s office said Wednesday. [Variety]