On Feb. 2, screenwriter David Bar Katz discovered an unresponsive Philip Seymour Hoffman on the floor of his West Village apartment’s bathroom. On Feb. 2, the world lost a brilliant artist.

Hoffman, who would often be found riding his bike through his New York neighborhood, walking his children to school and ordering a cup of Joe at the nearby coffee shop at which he was a regular, avoided the typical Hollywood lifestyle. Despite being a widely-acclaimed actor, he lived comfortably among his fellow New Yorkers.

Hoffman’s beginnings as an actor occurred through a twist of fate. A high school wrestler, his athletic ventures were spoiled after a neck injury. He turned to acting, going on to earn a BFA in drama from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Eventually burgeoning into one of the world’s finest talents, Hoffman grew into the quintessential actor; he was an Academy award winner and accomplished thespian, had directorial gigs and even a stint on Law & Order.

From his roles in “Scent of a Woman” and “Happiness” to “Doubt” and, most recently the Hunger Games films, Hoffman’s entire career has been marked by the darker roles he has undertaken. His brilliance lies within his immense dedication to the characters he played and the diversity of his talent, as evidenced by his extensive presence in the theatre.

Hoffman, in lieu of making easy money from depthless films that permeate the box office, instead reached into the depths of his soul and chose to portray characters that showed to the world the beauty that lies within darkness. The troubled characters he depicted captivated audiences, often challenging the viewer to think critically about issues surrounding our society. Hoffman seemingly allowed himself to be swallowed by the darkness in order to properly give a glimpse into the lives of others.

His embrace of bleakness, some speculate, transferred to his personal life. He battled addiction to heroin and prescription drugs in his twenties. He sought treatment again in May 2013 after suffering a relapse more than 20 years later. Though the official report on his death has not been released, reports are circulating nonetheless. Hoffman reportedly died of a drug overdose, having been found with a needle in his arm and drugs scattered around his apartment.

Amidst the speculation surrounding his death, one thing is for certain: America’s best actor, a man so full of ability, range and mystery will not soon be forgotten.

Hoffman, at 46, leaves behind his long-term partner Mimi O’Donnell and three children.