Police said the 46-year-old was found dead on Sunday in the bathroom of his West Village apartment. Officials say the cause of death appears to be an apparent drug overdose.
Hoffman won the 2005 Academy Award for best actor for his role in the film Capote. He also received three Oscar nominations for best supporting actor.
Other film credits include The Hunger Games, The Big Lebowski, Moneyball, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.
Hoffman suffered with drug addiction in the past, checking into rehab last year to deal with an addiction to prescription pills and heroin.