On Sunday, February 2nd, 2014, actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment with a needle in his arm, appearing to have died from a heroin overdose at the age of 46. The actor had struggled with drug and alcohol abuse during his late teens and early twenties, finally checking himself into a rehab facility where he got the help needed to kick his addiction for 23 years – until his struggle with drugs returned and he relapsed a few years ago. Hoffman left behind three children, a long term girlfriend and an amazing legacy.

The death of such a phenomenal actor is completely devastating to all who knew and appreciated his work. His loss was sudden and unexpected to most fans, but the way Hoffman died in no way takes away the amazing work he did when he was alive. Hoffman starred in over 50 movies and guest starred on a few television shows as well. His work is a slew of memorable and realistic characters that could never be forgotten. Hoffman during his life won 73 awards for his performances, including: one Oscar, one Golden Globe and one BAFTA. He was also nominated for 54 other awards. The amount he won and the amount he was nominated for only contributes to his legacy as one of the greatest actors of his time. Turning himself into another person completely, forgetting that it’s, in fact, an actor playing a character, and not a real person.

The most memorable and most recognized role of Hoffman’s career was in fact, Capote, the film where you don’t even see Philip Seymour Hoffman;  all you see is 100 percent without a doubt Truman Capote. Other films that are notable for the actor are Moneyball, The Big Lebowski, Doubt, and most recently The Hunger Games: Catching Fire and The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 and 2. It’s rumored that Hoffman was able to film most of his scenes, although died before one of the most crucial scenes for his role as Plutarch Heavensbee were finished.

The death of such a great actor will not go without notice in the Hollywood community. We have lost a great talent in the world, but the legacy of the man and what he left behind shall always remain.