Tributes pour in for Philip Seymour Hoffman

Fellow actors, critics and fans of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman, widely considered one of the most talented actors of his generation, have been paying tribute after he was found dead at his home in New York on Sunday.

His family said in a statement that his death was "tragic and sudden".

"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone,'' they said.

Reactions from the US

Robert De Niro was among many fellow actors expressing their sorrow. "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.

"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," he added.

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.

Chelsea Clinton said that she was "very sad to read of Philip Seymour Hoffman's passing. Keeping his family & friends in my thoughts."

"Damn, We Lost Another Great Artist," tweeted director Spike Lee, linking to a still from Lee's film 25th Hour, in which Hoffman starred.

Steve Martin said he was "shocked" at the news and praised his stage performance in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, saying: "If you missed him as Willy Loman, you missed a Willy Loman for all time."

Other actors paid tribute also paid tribute on Twitter:

UK actors

The news was announced at the start of the Critics' Circle Film Awards in London on Sunday night there was a spontaneous standing ovation.

Actor Gary Oldman, who picked up the lifetime achievement award, said Hoffman's work with director Paul Thomas Anderson has been "phenomenal".

"He had that bit of Charles Laughton about him, and Capote was a work of art. It's a great loss."

John Hurt said the news had hit him "very, very hard".

"He was a great actor, a great member of the film and theatre community. An extraordinary talent, directorially as well as an actor. He'll be greatly missed."

Steve Coogan said: Hoffman had "raised the bar for everyone".

"It's very sad because his career was quite brief. He'll be held up as an icon for character actors. He was an actor first and movie star second," he said.

Film critic Jason Solomons called Hoffmann "a fantastic talent".

"He lit up the screen - he'd take the weirdest parts and give them a human element."

Other actors reacted on Twitter:

His fans

Many of those who admired Hoffman's work have been in touch with the BBC to express their sadness at the news.

Zak Taemur, in the United Arab Emirates said: "He was the most talented actor in my generation... He was not famous but you knew when he was in a movie then that movie would become a classic one day."

M Carson in Greenbay, USA emailed to say: "Monumental talent, fantastic actor, he will be missed."

Rachel Knott in the UK tweeted: Awful, untimely news. RIP Philip Seymour Hoffman. Another massively talented actor gone in their prime. A captivating presence in any role."