I first saw Phillip Seymour Hoffman in his role as the likable storm chaser “Dusty” in the movie “Twister”. His character was a salt-of-the-Earth kind of guy, a “Roadie” if you will, a normal guy, chasing tornadoes with a bunch of scientists.

Of course, during the following years, he played an assortment of roles, coming into his own with an Oscar Award-winning turn as the famous author and Hollywood personality, Truman Capote.

And now, he’s gone…much too soon.

Oscar-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman has been found dead in his Manhattan apartment after suffering a suspected drugs overdose.

One of the most-highly regarded actors in America, Hoffman won a series of awards including a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the 2005 film Capote.

Hoffman was found dead in his Greenwich village apartment on Sunday morning.New York City Police Department is at the scene and investigating.

He was 46 and leaves behind his long-term partner, the costume designer Mimi O’Donnell, and three children.

Watch some of the best moments from Philip Seymour Hoffman’s career here.

A family spokesperson said: “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 had previously undergone treatment for heroin use and dependency to pills but sources close to the Hollywood star said he was struggling to beat his addiction.

Last night a policeman was photographed leaving the scene with a clipboard containing a photograph and details related to the case, including phone numbers.

The files contained the words “syringe” and “hypodermic” and the names of Hoffman’s friend David Katz and partner Marianne O’Donnell, known as Mimi.

The picture appeared to show an empty office or living room. 

Last year it was reported he had fallen off the wagon 23 years after he first quit booze and drugs, fearing his substance abuse would kill him.

The Capote and Boogie Nights star left a clinic on the east coast of America in May last year where he had spent 10 days being treated.

Hoffman started using prescription drugs in 2012 before moving on to heroin.

Heroin. When I think of that drug, I picture all the television shows I used to watch as a teenager in the 70s, where someone was strung out, like “Hutch”, played by David Soul, in the legendary Cop Show “Starsky and Hutch”. A Crime Lord got Hutch hooked on the drug because he was jealous of the relationship that the blonde heartthrob had with the mobster’s girlfriend. Starsky, played by Paul Michael Glaser, hid out with Hutch in a room supplied by their friend and informant, “Huggy Bear” (Antonio Fargas), and got him off the drug, cold turkey.

However, this is not the 1970s. This is 2014! How in the world could a guy who had it all, lose his life to a drug which has been known to be a killer, for decades?

Word is coming out now that this new “brand” of Heroin is even more potent than its predecessors, having caused several deaths in the New York City Area, already. The NYPD has already taken into custody three potential suspects, in a frenzied search for whoever sold Hoffman his final “high”.

Given the fact that Hoffman was known as a “recovering” Heroin Addict and traveled among the New York “Party Circuit”, he probably knew that fact. However, he still had to have another hit of heroin, which turned out to be his last.

Besides the  obvious reality of Hoffman’s untimely demise, you know what else chaps my…err…well…you know?

Politically-minded reprobates, referring to themselves as “libertarians” with a small “l”, immediately started opining that this tragedy was a “victim-less” crime, which hurt nobody but Hoffman, using Hoffman’s Death as a springboard to bolster their campaign to legalize ALL drugs, not just marijuana, as they have been successful in doing in Colorado and Washington.

The reality is there are many victims in this situation.

1. Hoffman’s 3 children will now grow up without a father in their lives.

2. His significant other, Mimi O’Donnell, now has to explain to her children where “Daddy” went.

3. Hoffman’s fans and fellow thespians, both in Hollywood, and on Broadway, will not have the pleasure of watching or working with him anymore.

4. And last, but not least, Philip Seymour Hoffman is a victim of his own addiction.

Now, the “libertarians”, would say that I’m an ignorant, old “SoCon” (Social Conservative), who should mind my own business and that Hoffman’s life was his own, and he owed nothing to anybody.

Quite frankly, I find that point-of-view, political ideology, philosophy of life, or whatever you want to to call that bunch of b.s., to be selfish, irresponsible, and immature.

As a friend of mine, ” Johnny Mac”, once observed,

Liberty is Freedom…with Responsibility.

“Little l” libertarians suffer from a case of arrested development. As I just described their “philosophy of life”, I could just as easily have been describing a spoiled 14-year-old.

Their world revolves around them and to Blazes with everyone else. It is time for these “Good Time Charlies” to grow up.

No man is an island. No man stands alone. (Hey. That could be a nifty song title. But…I digress.)

When you become addicted to drugs or alcohol, you are harming more than just yourself. You are harming and/or affecting your family, friends, co-workers, and, potentially, even strangers.

People struck and killed by a stoned driver, are just as dead as those killed by a drunk driver.

So, stop eating your Cheetos, slackers, and listen tight: Your actions affect others. You are responsible to others. You are not alone in this world.

So, get up out of your bean bag, turn off the TV, move out of Mom’s Basement, and get a job.

Useless, clueless, and stoned is no way to go through life, son.

…Unless, of course, you’re the president.

Until He Comes,

KJ