Fellow actors paid tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman after he was found dead at his home in New York on Sunday.

Philip Seymour Hoffman, 46, was found by a friend who called emergency services. He was declared dead at the scene.

A police spokesman said investigators found two small plastic bags and a substance suspected of being heroin.

Robert De Niro was among many stars expressing their sorrow, describing him as “a wonderful actor”.

“I’m very, very saddened by the passing of Phil. He was a wonderful actor. This is one of those times where you say: <<This just shouldn’t be>>,” he said.

Philip Seymour Hoffman is survived by his partner Mimi O’Donnell, and their three children.

Fellow actors paid tribute to Philip Seymour Hoffman after he was found dead at his home in New York

Jennifer Lawrence, who starred with Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Hunger Games, described him as “such a incredible actor.”

“You played an excellent Plutarch. So sad,” she wrote.

Julianne Moore, who co-starred with Philip Seymour Hoffman in Boogie Nights, Magnolia and The Big Lebowski, said: “I feel so fortunate to have known and worked with the extraordinary Philip Seymour Hoffman, and am deeply saddened by his passing.”

George Clooney, who appeared alongside Philip Seymour Hoffman in The Ides of March, said: “There are no words… It’s just terrible.”

Director Mike Nichols, who directed Philip Seymour Hoffman in Charlie Wilson’s War and in Death of a Salesman, said: “No words for this. He was too great and we’re too shattered.”

Kevin Costner told the Associated Press: “Philip was a very important actor and really takes his place among the real great actors. It’s a shame.

“Who knows what he would have been able to do? But we’re left with the legacy of the work he’s done and it all speaks for itself,” he added.

Philip Seymour Hoffman had candidly spoken in the past of his struggle against drug addiction, including a 2006 interview in which he told CBS he had at times abused “anything I could get my hands on. I liked it all”.

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