Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman was found dead in New York on Sunday morning of an apparent drug overdose, leaving fellow actors, thespians and fans in shock at the loss of such a stellar contributor to the arts and Hollywood.

Hoffman, 46, was found in an apartment in the West Village around 11:30 a.m. by a friend who had become concerned at not being able to reach him, a law enforcement official said, according to The New York Times.

Investigators found a syringe in his left forearm, at least two plastic envelopes with what appeared to be heroin nearby, and five empty plastic envelopes in a trash bin, the official said.

"Mr. Hoffman was long known to struggle with addiction, The New York Times adds. "In 2006, he said in an interview with '60 Minutes' that he had given up drugs and alcohol many years earlier, when he was 22. But last year, he checked into a rehabilitation program for about 10 days after a reliance on prescription pills resulted in his briefly turning again to heroin.

Hoffman's family released a statement saying: "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."

He was in a class of his own and was a clever, chameleon at his craft. Hoffman won an Academy Award in 2006 for best actor for his role in the film "Capote," in which he portrayed the author Truman Capote as Mr. Capote researched the book "In Cold Blood."

Oftentimes, Hoffman would unintentionally steal the spotlight from the leading actor of a film in which he starred because of his powerful delivery. With his stellar talent, he nabbed three Academy Award nominations for best supporting actor for the 2012 film The Master, the 2008 film Doubt, and the 2007 film Charlie Wilson's War. He also recently had a role in the hugely popular The Hunger Games films.

His impressive body of work includes: The Talented Mr. Ripley, Boogie Nights, Doubt, Mission: Impossible III, Almost Famous, Magnolia, Patch Adams, The Big Lebowski, Scent of a Woman, Owning Mahowny, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead, The Savages, Moneyball, The Ides of March, Along Came Polly and Capote, for which he not only won Oscar, but a BAFTA, Golden Globe, and SAG awards, among others. In 2010, Hoffman made his feature film directorial debut with Jack Goes Boating.

Hoffman began acting in 1991, and in 1994 -- still early in his career -- he starred in the romantic drama, When a Man Loves a Woman, starring Andy García, Meg Ryan, Tina Majorino, Mae Whitman, Ellen Burstyn and Lauren Tom. Ironically, in the film Meg Ryan's character battles alcohol addiction and enters a rehabilitation clinic. Cuban-American actor Andy García, has also starred in Ocean's Eleven,The Godfather Part III and The Untouchables, among many others. 

When Hoffman wasn't reeling in audiences on the big screen, he took to the stage as an accomplished theater actor and director. Hoffman joined the LAByrinth Theater Company in 1995, and directed and performed in numerous stage productions. His performances in three Broadway plays led to three Tony Award nominations: two for Best Leading Actor in True West (2000) and Death of a Salesman (2012); one for Best Featured Actor in Long Day's Journey into Night (2003).

While he didn't work with too many Latino actors besides García, Latino actors appreciated his talent and honored his life with messages via Twitter.

According to Fox News Latino, actress Michelle Rodriguez tweeted: "R.I.P. Phillip Seymour you definitely touched my heart for years with your talent and sensibility One."

Actor John Leguizamo wrote: "We were robbed of a great talent today R.I.P. #PhilipSeymourHoffman."

Actress Jordana Brewster retweeted: "Losing Phil Hoffman is an unspeakable tragedy. There aren't words. All our hearts are with his family and children. It's just utterly, no."

Actor John Ortiz tweeted: "there are no words."

In 2008, Hoffman told The New York Times, "I try to live my life in such a way that I don't have profound regrets," he said. "That's probably why I work so much. I don't want to feel I missed something important."

Hoffman leaves behind three young children, a son and two daughters, and his partner, Mimi O'Donnell, a costume designer.