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Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman Has Died at the Age of 46; Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl Champs

Aired February 02, 2014 - 22:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DON LEMON, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. Welcome to this special edition of the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Don Lemon in New York.

Philip Seymour Hoffman is dead. And to call him a Hollywood A-lister would really be underestimate. Here is why.

These movies that I'm going name off right now. "Capote," "Scent of a Woman", "Twister", "Boogie Nights," "Magnolia", "The Talented Mr. Ripley", "Empire Falls" , "Mission Impossible 3" , "Moneyball" , "Charlie Wilson's War" , "The Hunger Games."

He starred in all of them and that's just to name a few. There are more. Tonight police are telling CNN that they found the 46-year-old actor dead with what is believed to be heroin in his apartment and a needle in his arm.

And this is Hoffman's body being removed from his apartment in Greenwich Village just this evening. Paramedics responded to a 911 call made by a friend of the actor who found him in the bathroom. They declared him dead at the scene.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Folks thought they had me pegged because of the way I talk. They're always wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: This was a film for which Philip Seymour Hoffman won the Oscar, "Capote." It was back in 2005. A dense complex character like most of the roles he personified in more than 60 movies and TV shows. But that was Hoffman, the actor, the artist. Hoffman the man was battling his own demons, drug abuse. He told an interviewer last year he was getting help, and believed he was getting a handle on the situation. Police today found two bags of apparent heroin and eight empty bags near Hoffman's body.

Hoffman was just 46 years old, just 46. And New York City officials have said they will perform an autopsy tomorrow. Our Alexandra Field is at Philip Seymour Hoffman's apartment where paramedics removed his body just three hours ago.

Alexandra, what does it look like there now? What is going on?

ALEXANDRA FIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Don, fans and friends grieving together for a man who is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation. You can see the signs of tribute already being paid at his doorstep here in Greenwich Village. There are flowers. There are candles. A few moments ago we saw a few people stop by and say a prayer at scene for Philip Seymour Hoffman.

This news really stunning the west village neighborhood where he was so much a fixture, so highly recognizable to so many people. For hours today after the police arrived at the apartment, there was a crime scene unit here on the scene. And there was a big effort really to keep fans and people back. And a lot of people wanted to come out here, see what was going on, having heard the news of Philip Seymour Hoffman's death.

What we know now, according to police, is that he was last seen around 8:00 on Saturday night. He is a father of three young children. He had planned to meet those children this morning. He never showed up for that meeting. That's when two of his friends came here to this apartment. They gained entrance through a staff member in this building. That's when they found Hoffman and phoned police.

We are now told by law enforcement that he was found with a needle in his arm. A substance also that they believe was heroin was found in the apartment as well as some empty baggies which they believe may have contained heroin. Now, that substance is going to a police lab to be tested. Hoffman has spoken publicly in the past about issues of abuse and addiction. But people in this neighborhood say this news comes as a complete shock to them.

Here is what woman told us.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ELENA PERAZZINI, SAW HOFFMAN OFTEN IN THE RESTAURANT: I'm just in shock. I feel so horrified in a way. And it's bad also to know how he died because I mean he must have been in a lot of pain. I don't know.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

FIELD: We're told that Hoffman had been staying here in this apartment building since some time last year after leaving a rehab facility. Prior to that, he lived with his long-time partner and his three children in this west village neighborhood -- Don.

LEMON: All right, Alexandra Field down in Greenwich Village. Thank you very much for that.

And some of Hollywood's greats are reacting tonight to Hoffman's death.

Robert de Niro released a statement saying this. I am very saddened, 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 was so young and gifted and had so much going, so much to live for. My family and I send our deepest condolences to his family. Philip Seymour Hoffman had a few film projects in the works, one of them a role in the next installment of the Hunger Games series which is still in production. And just a short time ago the makers of that film released this statement, saying Philip Seymour Hoffman was a singular talent and one of the most gifted actors of our generation. We're very fortunate that he graced our "hunger games" family. Losing him in his prime is a tragedy, and we send our deepest condolences to Philip's family.

CNN's Stephanie Elam has been looking back at Hoffman's memorable career -- Stephanie.

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STEPHANIE ELAM, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Don, Philip Seymour Hoffman was not the kind of man to always go after the lead role. But he was the kind of actor who played roles you always remembered.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ELAM (voice-over): Philip Seymour Hoffman was an actor's actor, a chameleon who transformed into every character he played.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Since I was a child, folks thought they had me pegged because of the way I talk.

ELAM: It was Hoffman's lead role in hit 2005 film "Capote" that won the actor an Oscar. A sizable man, Hoffman convince transformed on screen into the slim, high-voiced actor Truman Capote. In 1992, a small role in "Scent of a Woman" gave Hoffman his big break, a Seminole experience for the actor.

PHILIP SEYMOUR HOFFMAN, ACTOR: When I got "scent of the woman" when I was 24 years old and the casts ran on the office and grab me on the hallway and said you got the part. I don't think I have been more joyful since that moment.

ELAM: Hoffman continued to make a name for himself in the highly regarded "boogie nights", a period piece that intertwined with the beginnings of the adult film industry. A student of the theater, Hoffman landed his first professional stage role before he graduated from high school. He then went on to study acting at New York University and enjoyed a career on stage and on screen.

HOFFMAN: I like mixing them up. That's what I've been doing, you know. And I'll keep doing as long as it makes people crazy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: Who does it make crazy?

HOFFMAN: It depends on the day. It depends on the day, yes, it does, you know. But I'll keep doing that. I don't know how to do it any other way than that.

ELAM: The versatile, intense Hoffman garner lead tony nomination, as well as three other Oscar nominations for best supporting actor for "Charlie Wilson's war" as a nonconforming CIA agent. HOFFMAN: Since there is no other reason I should be here, let's assume it's because I'm very good at it.

ELAM: For doubt of a priest suspected of inappropriate behavior as an altar boy.

HOFFMAN: What did you hear? What did you see that convinced you so thoroughly.

ELAM: And for the master as a charismatic sect leader.

HOFFMAN: I am a writer, a doctor, a nuclear physicist, a theoretical philosopher. But above all, I am a man.

ELAM: In real life, Hoffman was a man who struggled with addiction. In 2006, the actor told CBS "60 minutes" he nearly died of substance abuse after he graduated from NYU.

HOFFMAN: Get my hands off it. Yes, yes. I liked it all.

ELAM: And just last year, Hoffman revealed to several news outlets that he checked into a rehab facility last May for prescription drug and heroin use. A private unassuming man, Hoffman will be remembered for his roles in more than 50 movies, including "the talented Mr. Ripley" and "the hunger games", roles that cemented Hoffman as one of the best actors of his generation.

HOFFMAN: It doesn't get any better than when you go to work you get a job as an actor, first off. And when that happens, you think that's it. When you're an actor and all of the sudden somebody gives you a good job, you literally think, you are more high than you'll ever be for the rest of your life.

ELAM: Hoffman is survived by his long-time girlfriend Mimi O'Donnell and their three young children. Philip Seymour Hoffman was 46-years- old.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ELAM: Gone at just 46 years of age when he should have had so many more roles ahead of him -- Don.

LEMON: Really sad. Thank you, Stephanie. Appreciate that.

You know, we had been reporting that the police found heroin in Hoffman's apartment. Heroin isn't a new drug. It's been around for decades. But the DEA says more people are using it now because it is a lot cheaper and easier to get than prescription pain pills. But it's also far more deadly.

In 2010, the number of heroin-related deaths from overdoses was just over 3,000. Nearly double the number in 2000. Heroin seizures at the Mexican border were up 232 percent between 2008 and 2012. And look at this. This is 33 pounds of heroin that agents found on Friday in a New York City apartment. Any recovering addict will tell you that it's hard to get clean and it's hard to stay that way. HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell is a recovering alcoholic. She knows this by firsthand. She has been sober now for, what 18, 19 years?

JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL, HLN HOST, JANE VELEZ-MITCHELL: Eighteen years, 19 if I get to April.

LEMON: How hard is this battle?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: First of all, I want to say I'm so sad. My condolences to his family. This is like a punch in the stomach for me. It's terrifying because somebody with long-term sobriety, it's a remind they're there is no cure. All we have is a daily reprieve. It can happen to any of us. And what they say about addiction is it's always moving in one direction. Either you're moving towards more sobriety, or you're moving toward that drink or drug. It doesn't stand still.

And when I look at a story, he was sober for 23 years. That's long- term sobriety. Last year he relapsed, reportedly when he started using prescription pills. I hear it all the time, Don. It's the slippery slope. You go to the doctor for back pain or you have some kind of ailment. They give you a mood-altering drug, and that's all it takes for an addict, just one grain, and you are off to the races.

<22:10:00>

LEMON: Jane, I mean, I want to talk to you about the rise in opiates. Because it has been said now that heroin is rising because opiates are -- well, they, at least, they were readily available. Now they're pulling back, and people are finding it easier to get heroin. They become hooked on the opiates, the pills as you say, oxycontin and so on.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes.

LEMON: And then they can't get them from the doctor anymore because they're harder to get and they go right to heroin.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Exactly. They get a pill that has a heroin-like high, and then they become addicted to it. And the next thing, well, let's go for the gold. Let's go for the heroin itself. It is easier to get in many cases.

And so, what I think is it's a double whammy. Heroin use, yes, it is on the rise. But prescription drugs are a leading cause of overdoses. They're a big problem, and they are often that gateway drug because their high is so potent that leads people into using heroin.

LEMON: We're going to talk a little bit more after this break. Stick around, Jane. Lots more to talk about Philip Seymour Hoffman, about addiction, about heroin, and about prescription painkillers as well.

We will be right back right after this break. We're going to leave you for this break. This is a shot of Philip Seymour Hoffman down in Greenwich Village right here in New York City.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

<22:14:52>

LEMON: HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell back with us here. And we're talking about actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and his death from an apparent heroin overdose. Jane has been sober for 18 years, and we're very proud of that. You know, we're talking about him going to rehab.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Yes.

LEMON: And he had been there not long enough in your estimation this last time.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Well, there were reports in "The New York Times" I read he went to the program for about ten days, a rehab program. And I think that's in my opinion, that certainly isn't enough to get a real good footing in sobriety if you're going to go out into the kind of high-powered world that he would reenter. And when you're in early sobriety, going to events like Sundance, that can be a lot of pressure.

Relapse is a very, very destabilizing experience. And I've talked to so many people who have relapsed just tonight in the wake of this tragedy and they say, you know, I talked to a woman who relapsed, and she said I was filled with shame after I relapsed. So it was really hard for me to get back into my sober world and hang out with my sober friends.

I'm not saying that happened in this case. But kit happen. Once you relapse, you really feel like you're behind the 8-ball in terms of sobriety. So it can be a very destabilizing time you. Have you to double up on your program of sobriety. And when you're a superstar, there are a lot of forces that can work against you doing that.

LEMON: Let me ask you, because you're very open about everything, Jane. Jane, you and I are friends, is it constantly there? Do you have a constant craving for alcohol? Did he possibly have a constant craving for heroin, every single day?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: No. I can never look inside somebody else's experience. But we know that when we're in recovery, one drop -- when I go to the dentist, I do not garble with mouthwash that has alcohol in it, because one drop could trigger a craving that would overwhelm my mind and my body and lead me to a binge and lead me to a relapse. And it's the same thing with drugs. Here he is, a person with 23 years of sobriety. What an amazing accomplishment, and yet he somehow ends up on prescription pills that become the gateway to him then leading to more serious drugs, according to published reports. Now, the thing is, if you have one tiny grain, it has nothing to do with will power. The craving overwhelms the body and the mind. If you're getting a prescription pill that has a heroin-like effect, you're going to want to get as much as you can. That is the nature of addiction.

LEMON: And why not go to the absolute source, the one that really gives you to feeling, and that's the heroin instead of the prescription pill.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Exactly.

LEMON: We've been talking about heroin. We know that it's on the rise. And it's coming back with a vengeance. But what I've been hearing from some people is Philip Seymour Hoffman is a wealthy celebrity, has everything in the world at his feet. Why on earth does he have a problem and he can't get rid of it? Do you understand what I'm saying?

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Actually, first of all, obviously, we have to wait for the results of the autopsy.

LEMON: Right.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: And it looks like this was heroin-related death. And certainly that seems to be what it is. But if you look at the people who are constantly trying to seduce celebrities, and they are coming at them with every candy they can give to try to get into their world, it actually a greater challenge for superstars when people are trying to seduce them. And one of the things that they will try to use is drugs.

LEMON: Because they want to be your friend, they see you hanging out at party, they want to meet you.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: They want to be in your world.

LEMON: Sad story all the way around.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: So sad.

LEMON: Thank you for being so open and coming and helping us understand this. HLN's Jane Velez-Mitchell. Of course, you can catch Jane's show every night at 7:00.

VELEZ-MITCHELL: Thank you.

LEMON: Thank you very much.

Hoffman gave several interviews during his last known public appearance. Just a few weeks ago we talked about it at Sundance. But he has given several interviews. When we come right back, we're going to talk with one of the last people to interview the acclaimed actor. More shots of his apartment down in Greenwich Village now.

<22:18:55>

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

<22:22:45>

LEMON: Welcome back, everyone, on this special that we have tonight on the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. We want to show you a picture that we just got in to here to CNN. It's a photo of happier times for the actor. Recognize the blond there on the left? Well, that's Gwyneth Paltrow. She posted this picture from 1998 on social media just a few hours ago. And Gwyneth said post dinner, post shooting, Philip was a true genius. This picture was taken during the filming of the movie "the talented Mr. Ripley." On the right there is the actor Jude Law.

Hollywood is reacting to the death of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

And actor Steve Martin tweets this, Shocked to hear of Philip Seymour Hoffman's death. If you missed him as Willie Loman, you missed a Willie Loman for all time.

From actor James Franco, Philip Seymour Hoffman. He was the best of the best. Seems impossible that he is gone.

And Justin Timberlake tweeted this. Just hearing about Philip Seymour Hoffman, devastating. What an amazingly gifted actor. Rest in peace.

Hoffman's final public appearance is believed to have been last month at the Sundance film festival where he had two films. Krista Smith, CNN entertainment commentator and a senior west coast editor for "Vanity Fair" interviewed the actor there. I want you to watch this quick clip from that.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

HOFFMAN: My friends, my friends bet me that I couldn't get a selfie with you. And I was like you're not.

(LAUGHTER)

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Krista Smith joins us now from Los Angeles by telephone.

That was a really fun moment, Krista. What was the mood during that interview? Was there anything that seemed out of the ordinary?

KRISTA SMITH, CNN ENTERTAINMENT COMMENTATOR (via phone): No. It was pretty standard for Sundance. I mean, he had come in. He was actually on time. Usually things get really crazy up there because they're promoting movies and going from one thing to another. But he came in. He was early. He hung out. He was looking for a cigarette. He went out and smoked a cigarette on the balcony, and then he waited for Christina Hendricks. And he was pretty game. He was a lot of fun, actually. At first he can be a little intimidating. You never know how they're going to be. But he was really relaxed and just kind of got into the interview. And as you guys just saw there in the clip, he was really playful. I was asking him when the last time he took a selfie was. And he kind of told this very funny story about being up in Boston and this woman coming up to him on a dare, and as you can see, he was having a lot of fun with it.

<22:25:10>

LEMON: He had two films at the film festival. And you got the sense that the movies weren't just about a paycheck for him. He has been -- he has been called an actor's actor. And you said he has never lost his acting roots. SMITH: Yes, I think that's a very accurate statement. He is an actor's actor. And regardless of the genre, he has been in hugely commercial films, obviously, "Charlie Wilson's war," "the hunger games," most recently. But I think even in those films, he chose his part because of the actual content of the part.

I think for Phil, there had to be something in it other than the money. And obviously, throughout his career you look at his 50 some odd films and involvement in theater, you know, the Labyrinth theater, he was a part of that. He was a writer. He was a director. And really, most importantly, he was always there for other actors. He was idolized by his own peers and those coming up as young actors trying to break it in. He was someone that was the gold standard.

LEMON: Krista Smith, CNN entertainment commentator and senior west coast editor for "Vanity Fair," thank you very much for that.

And coming up, we will go live outside Philip Seymour Hoffman's New York City apartment where the memorial and flowers, makeshift memorial and flowers, candles, it continues to grow as words spread of the actor's sudden and tragic death.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

<22:30:20>

LEMON: It is half past the hour. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Don Lemon.

This is a certainly edition. New York City officials say they'll perform an autopsy tomorrow on the body of Oscar winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Hoffman was pronounced dead today in his New York apartment, his Manhattan apartment after friends found him unresponsive in the bathroom. And police found what they believe is heroin in Hoffman's home.

Philip Seymour Hoffman won an academy award back in 2005 for his starring role in the movie "Capote." He was just 46 years old. And Hoffman was born in Rochester, New York and started acting at New York University. He was the father of three children, is best known for his Oscar-winning role, again, in "Capote." Hoffman made his major film debut in 1992 in "scent of a woman."

CNN's Alexandria field down in Greenwich Village now in that neighborhood in New York City. And that's where Philip Seymour Hoffman lived what neighbors called a very quiet life, and he was very normal. He took his kids to school you. Would see him all the time. Not, you know, like an Oscar-winning major movie star living in Hollywood. Very down to earth.

And Alexandra, how are people showing their sadness there tonight?

FIELD: A lot of expressions of grief here tonight, Don. You know, this is a neighborhood that is filled with celebrities. One of the star-studded neighborhoods here in New York City. Celebrity sightings are not uncommon. But everyone we speak to says that Philip Seymour Hoffman didn't walk around here like a Hollywood celebrity. He sort of blended in with the community. A lot of people felt like in some way they knew him as a neighbor. He would smile, say hi, ride his bike, stop in the local restaurants, talk to the staff members. It's the reason why a lot of people who are just familiar with him by face really from walking the streets have stopped in tonight. They have left flowers at the door. They have left candles. We've seen people stopping kneel down say a quick prayer, pay respects, say kind words about Philip Seymour Hoffman.

His own family is speaking out tonight. They put out a statement and I'll read part of it for you. It says 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.

Hoffman was a father of three. He was set to meet his three children just this morning. But police say he was last seen around 8:00 on Saturday night. A couple of his friends came here to this apartment building in the middle of the west village this morning. They were able to get an apartment staff member to let them into the apartment. That's where they found the acclaimed actor, the father of three. Police say he had a needle in his arm, and they believe they found heroin in the apartment that substance is now being tested for confirmation -- Don.

LEMON: Alexandra, thank you very much.

I need to tell you that some of Philip Seymour Hoffman's biggest fans were his fellow actors. And a lot of Hollywood's famous names are mourning his death tonight. This statement is just released from Tom Hanks. He said this is a horrible day for those who worked with Philip. He was a giant talent. Our hearts are open for his family.

Alec Baldwin also shared his thoughts. He said I worked on two films with Philip Hoffman. He was a consummate stage actor and a true gentleman.

Philip Seymour Hoffman had roles and some of the biggest movies in the past. This including "the hunger games" and "money ball." His loss will be felt from Broadway, all the way to Hollywood.

And Bradley Jacobs is a senior editor at "Us Weekly" and he joins us. Let's talk about the characters he played. He was a character actor. We are talking in a break about this. He didn't have a name, you know, like a Brad Pitt or even like an Alec Baldwin or whatever where you immediately, many people immediately recognize his face. But when you see him, that guy, my God, he was great. Look at the list of movies he was in.

BRADLEY JACOBS, SENIOR EDITOR, US WEEKLY: Right. Well, Phil just disappeared into his roles.

LEMON: Right.

JACOBS: That's what he loved most was so delve into a role. He talked about how sometimes for four or five weeks he didn't even want to talk to people when he was shooting because he just wanted to immerse himself. And you think of the roles that you know him best for, "Magnolia", "Scent of a Woman", "Capote." He played a frat boy in "the talented Mr. Ripley." He played Truman Capote, a gay author in "Capote." He played, you know, in "the hunger games: catching fire."

Yes, I mean, all over the place that is the definition of a character actor who sort of. He won that Oscar in spite of the fact that he just wanted to be a small actor. And we also saw him a lot here in New York. I saw him do "death of a salesman." He was nominated for three different Tonys. You know, he was really into being something deep on screen.

LEMON: And we were talking about how he was so down to earth, or whatever, and he was. People would spot him around New York. But that's kind of a New York thing. This morning I ran into a famous actor in the deli on the corner last week at brunch I saw a very famous actor. Usually New York City doesn't allow you to be that way. That's kind of an L.A. thing. But he was even more down to earth than most, riding his bicycle.

<22:35:35>

JACOBS: Even more than most. He would wear a baseball cap. He really didn't want to be seen. He would ride his bike around the west village, pick up his kid at the local school, you know, be seen walk do you think the street. And you know, myself and others walk by and just ignore them like they're just doing their thing.

LEMON: I would imagine that was part of his thing, that he did not want to become disconnected from people as a character actor. And that's why he live among people and was as normal as possible.

JACOBS: That seemed big part of it. I mean, look at him. He never dropped that weight. Never combed his hair. He didn't really want to get all buffed up and go to Hollywood. You didn't see one big leading man role. He was in I think one comedy, "along came Polly," his entire 22-year career. He basically wanted to remain small.

LEMON: How do you think he is going to be remembered his career? Because again, as I said, you look at the movies, "scent of a woman," "Twister," "Boogie nights," "Magnolia," "The talented Mr. Ripley." "Empire Balls," "Mission Impossible III," "Money ball." I mean, that's just a few of the pictures.

JACOBS: He is as varied as can be. I mean, that's the definition of a versatile actor for him to be able to handle all those movies. Blockbuster, dramas, you know, playing a gay guy, playing a frat boy. He just was all over the map and very comfortable playing all those types.

LEMON: You work for "US weekly." What is the deal now with "Hunger Games 3"? Because they are shooting that in Atlanta and now -- that is going to be released until 2015? JACOBS: Yes. Well, there is two more movies. There is two parts of Mockingjay. And apparently, he has filmed everything but just a little bit, a few days left. And apparently it's not really going to change the release date. I think the studio will be able to figure that out.

LEMON: Bradley Jacobs, thank you very much. We appreciate you joining us on a Sunday night.

You know, one of the recurring themes about Philip Seymour Hoffman is that he was down to earth, as we have been talking about here. Many people have said he didn't act like he was a big shot Oscar-winning performer, but just a regular guy.

And CNN producer Rose Arce lives right on Hoffman's neighborhood and their children go to the same public school. She talked earlier today about her interaction was the star.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ROSE ARCE, CNN PRODUCER: He was in no way reducible to what happened today. I don't think even after this people are going to look back and say here is a guy with problems. What they remember, what I remember, what the people who knew him much better than I are going to remember is that he was a neighbor and he was a father and he was friends with a lot of people around here. He hung out in the local cafe. He played with his kids in the park. You would see him.

For years I've seen him walking his children to school. Sometimes he would ride his son on his bike and come in and give him a hug and a high-five and ask him how he was doing and to have a nice day. He has three children in elementary school. That's the part of this that is the saddest. And he was active in their lives. People remember him from play dates. They remember him from playing in the park. He always said hello. He was warm. No one really thought of him as an actor. He was a neighbor. He was a friend.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman dead at the age of 46. We're going to have much more on his life and career right after that.

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(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

<22:42:48>

LEMON: Philip Seymour Hoffman didn't shy away from questions about his addictions. In an interview that aired on "60 Minutes" in 2011, the actor talked about his struggles.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: You don't drink?

HOFFMAN: No, I don't.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: In fact, you went into rehab at a fairly early age?

HOFFMAN: Yes, I did. I did. I went -- I got sober when I was 22. Yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: So this was drugs or alcohol or both?

HOFFMAN: It was all, it was all that stuff, yes. Anything coy get my hands on, man, yes. Yes, I liked it all, yes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE REPORTER: And why did you decide to stop?

HOFFMAN: You get panicked. You get panicked. It was -- I was 22, and I got panicked in my life. It really was. It was that I thought god, I have so much empathy for these young actors who are 19 and all of the sudden they're beautiful and famous and rich and god, I'd be dead.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

LEMON: We have heard from a lot of people in the acting community reacting to the loss of Philip Seymour Hoffman.

George Clooney released a statement to CNN saying there are no words. It's just terrible.

Brian Stelter is the host of CNN's "reliable sources" and he joins us by phone.

Brian, thank you so much for joining us. Tell us about the mark that Hoffman made in Hollywood.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN ANCHOR, RELIABLE SOURCES (via phone): To hear someone like George Clooney, someone the caliber of George Clooney say there are no words, I think describes the pretty well. I was struck by a statement from Debra Messing today, pretty similar ball. Few of the words stood out. She said it's devastating and unimaginable to lose such a gentle, kind, and gifted soul.

Now, think about that. I don't think we often think of every actor in Hollywood as being gentle, as being kind, as being gifted. But those are the kinds of words she used to describe him. She went on the say Philip was one of the greats, an artist and a gentleman. He was only just beginning.

And I think that's another reason why people are so shocked today, his age, 46 is one of the reasons why media outlets did not have obituaries ready for him. You know, there are actors of a certain age where obituaries are prepared, but certainly not for someone like Philip Seymour Hoffman.

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LEMON: Other celebrities, well, you mentioned Debra Messing and that's just coming in. But other celebrities took to twitter to pay their tribute to Hoffman. Some of them we read. This is from tony award winner and Oscar winner, put Hoffman's acting career in perspective for us. Put it in perspective for us, Brian.

STELTER: There was one from Jim Carrey that we can put up on the screen. I think a lot of attention today, it says dear Philip, a beautiful, beautiful soul. For the most sensitive among us, the noise can be too much. Bless your heart.

And there was one from Jeff Bridges as well who wrote I enjoyed playing with him on "the big Lebowski." He was such a wonderful guy and so damn talented. A real treasure. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.

And we saw Kevin Spacey most recently from "house of cards" write this. A tragedy to lose such a supremely talented actor as Philip Seymour Hoffman. Kevin Spacey called it an unspeakable loss for film, theater and all who knew him.

And Octavia Spencer wrote, very sad day. Rest in peace.

I want to mention what Kevin Spacey mentioned. Philip Seymour Hoffman was not just an actor in film. He also had an accomplished career on Broadway. Most recently in "death of a salesman" in New York City back in 2012. He certainly has had talent that spans multiple mediums. And he was working on this television series for Showtime recently also.

LEMON: Yes, "Happiness." but here is the thing. You mentioned "the Big Lebowski." Like he was in so many films. It's oh, yes, right, he was in that film as well.

STELTER: That's what I was so, you know, in a way inspired by on facebook and twitter today, on You Tube. People were all sharing different favorite video clips. It's almost as if everybody had a different favorite movie or a different favorite moment of Philip Seymour Hoffman. That might be a great tribute to him that there are so many different clips to pick from. And of course, in this day and age, that's how people do try to pay tribute. They do try to find their most favorite line from a movie a bit whether it was long ago or most recently in something like "Moneyball" or the "Ides of March."

LEMON: Thank you very much, Brian Stelter. We mentioned that interview from "60 Minutes" is in 2006 and not 2011. Brian Stelter, the host of "RELIABLE SOURCES" here on CNN.

We want to take a moment now to give you other big stories that CNN is following at this hour. We are going to get back to this story just in just a moment.

But first, this one. Film director Woody Allen has released a statement strongly denying claims by his adopted daughter that he sexually assaulted her when she was just 7-years-old. Dylan Farrow makes the allegations in graphic detail in a first person letter published on a "New York Times" blog. In response, Allen's representative released a statement saying this, Mr. Allen has read the article and finds it untrue and disgraceful. He will be responding very soon. In the meantime, it is essential your coverage make the following facts clear. At the time a thorough investigation was conducted by court-appointed independent experts. The experts concluded there was no credible evidence of molestation that Dylan Farrow had an inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality, and that Dylan Farrow had likely been coached by her mother, Mia Farrow. No charges were ever filed.

The allegation first came to light in 1992 after Farrow's mother, actress Mia Farrow, split with Allen over his affair with one of Farrow's other adopted children.

The snow and weather that spared the super bowl will hit the northeast overnight. It's already left its mark in a large portion. Oklahoma as you can see getting some of the worst weather. What started as sleet and freezing rain turned to snow. And before the snow ends, that snow will stretch from Oklahoma all the way to Michigan, and it could dump up to eight inches of snow.

Athletes from all over the world getting ready for the 22nd winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. American Olympians, including these speed skaters spent today getting a feel for the venues. The games start Friday under tight security in a wake of terror threats.

Meantime, Sochi has already started rehearsing for the Olympic hoopla. I want you to check out the lights and fireworks just yesterday over the stadium. This is the first time Russia has hosted the winter Olympics, but the country did host the 1980 summer Olympics. It looks beautiful. Safety, though, a big concern this time.

The super bowl finished up just a short time ago, and Lara Baldesarra joins us now live from East Rutherford, New Jersey. And you are looking at live pictures now from Seattle. Of course, they are celebrating the big win.

Super bowl seemed to be over from the opening snap, Lara, didn't it?

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LARA BALDESARRA, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It was absolutely incredible, Don. You know, nobody would have predicted what happened in this game. And if you say that you predicted this one, you are totally lying.

Right from the get-go, Seattle was in complete control. We're talking 12 seconds in. That's the fastest score in a super bowl ever. Seattle managed to score a safety, that's two points, that put them on the board. And how about this? Right after halftime, 12 seconds after halftime, there was a touchdown. Seattle scored touchdown. Percy Harvin ran it 87 yards for a touchdown. It was a completely lopsided affair. No one expected it. We thought maybe the inexperience of Seattle might not really do them all so well when they get to a big stage like the Super Bowl playing against a very experienced Denver Broncos and Peyton Manning, who has a Super Bowl ring on his finger already. But, Don, not the case at all. Seattle now has their first franchise super bowl.

LEMON: I couldn't believe it. It just kept getting worse and worse and worse every time I would look up at the television screen. I was at the game. I had to come back to do this special. But it kept getting worse. I'm wondering about the future of Peyton Manning.

BALDESARRA: I think everybody is wondering about the future of Peyton Manning at this point. You know, this was a really big game for him, because this was a game where he could have put some of that criticism to bed. He has often been criticized for not being a cold weather player and not all of that criticism is really fair. And he has also been criticized for not being a big game player. And some of that criticism isn't exactly fair. Let's remember, like I said, he does have a super bowl ring on his finger. He had the opportunity in this super bowl to put all of that to bed. But he really did not live up to it at all. 43-8 was the final score. Simply incredible.

LEMON: Right choice for Malcolm Smith for the game's MVP you think?

BALDESARRA: I think it was definitely a very good choice. There was really no wrong choice. This was a team that it was a true team effort by Seattle. Everybody came out to play. Everybody played really well. Everybody really stepped up their game, and everybody really, really impressed.

LEMON: Lara Baldesarra standing outside of the stadium. It was an amazing game. Not that exciting, but amazing. Thank you very much. Appreciate it.

Coming up, more on the death of Philip Seymour Hoffman. We'll take a look at some of the projects he was working on, and how his death will impact those films. We'll be right back.

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LEMON: So some of the biggest names in Hollywood and the political world remembering Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Aaron Paul from "Breaking Bad" tweeted we lost one of the greats today. Philip Seymour Hoffman, rest in peace, my friend. You will be missed always and forever.

Chelsea Clinton, very sad to read of Philip Seymour Hoffman's passing. Keeping his family and friends in my thoughts.

Actress Robin Wright, we have lost a true artist. It is a tragic loss and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.

On facebook, actress Susan Sarandon posted this. Philip Seymour Hoffman was a genius, brave and sweet. I can't believe he is gone. A huge loss. My deepest sympathy for his wife and children.

And Sean Diddy Combs posted this. Life is short. Celebrate. Appreciate every moment you have. Rest in peace, Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Philip Seymour Hoffman began acting in 1991. And it wasn't long before his career began to take off. And just a year later, a supporting role in "scent of a woman" with Al Pacino won critical acclaim. Hoffman won an actor for his portrayal of Truman Capote in the 2005 movie "Capote" and he was nominated for best supporting actor three times along with three tony nominations. He also directed films and plays.

Well, Philip Seymour Hoffman was in the middle of filming "hunger games 2" when he died. Entertainment reporter Nischelle Turner has more now on the projects he had no works as well as his family's reaction to the news.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

NISCHELLE TURNER, CNN ENTERTAINMENT CORRESPONDENT: Philip Seymour Hoffman's family released in a statement saying, of course, they are devastated by what they called a very tragic and sad loss. They also asked for time to grieve. They asked for people to respect their privacy. They also said they would not be making any further statements at this time.

There is a lot going on in this investigation as to what happened and how in fact he died. But what we do know is that Hollywood is also reacting to this now. Many celebrities tweeting out condolences to his family and their thoughts on Philip Seymour Hoffman's passing.

We also know that he had a lot of projects in the works. He joined "the Hunger Games" franchise. We just saw him in "Hunger Games catching fire." He just finished filming "Hunger Games Mockingjay part 1" that they will be released on November 10th of this year.

They were in the middle of filming "Hunger Games part 2, Mockingjay part 2." We are told that Philip Seymour Hoffman did have some time filming left. They are not sure how it will affect the movie. He was also getting ready to direct his next movie, his second directorial feature. And that movie was called "Ezekiel Moss." Amy Adams and Jake Gyllenhaal were to star in that movie.

You know, the last time Philip Seymour Hoffman was believed to have been seen publicly was at the Sundance film festival about ten days ago, publicly meaning out on the red carpet and out doing industry work. He had two movies that debuted there, one called "Most wanted Man," the other was called "God's Pocket." He did speak and promote both of those films. At the time people said he seemed to be fine. But as our Dr. Drew has said repeatedly, you never really know what someone is going through when they are suffering the battles of addiction.

Back to you.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LEMON: Thank you, Nischelle Turner, and that's very well put. You never know what someone else is going through, what is happening in someone else's life.

And we all have faults. No one is perfect. And anyone can be overcome with addiction. Everyone has problems. People have been wondering how could someone like Philip Seymour Hoffman, an actor who won an academy award, who had plenty of money, how could he be facing these problems. It's because addiction, each one is prone to addiction. And, again, it could happen to any of us. Philip Seymour Hoffman, 46 years old.

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Thank you for watching. Have a great week. I'll see you back here on CNN next week. Good night.