Stars struggle with Hoffman's passing
George Clooney is struggling to come to terms with Philip Seymour Hoffman's death.
'The Monuments Men' star paid tribute his 46-year-old "good friend", who was found dead in his apartment in New York City from an apparent heroin overdose on Sunday, at the premiere of his new movie in the city on Tuesday night, and confessed he is "going to miss him a lot."
Before introducing the film at the Ziegfeld Theatre, the 52-year-old star said: "I wanted to start by saying it's very odd to be here in New York, particularly a couple of days after a good friend of ours has passed away.
"It makes it difficult, and I think it's the elephant in the room for a lot of us here.
"It's senseless and it's sad, but he will be greatly missed. Phil will be greatly missed.
"It's hard to be here tonight with that weighing over us, but I wanted to say that."
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Banks, who co-starred in 'The Hunger Games' movies with Hoffman, echoed George's sentiments.
The 39-year-old actress told the 'Today' show yesterday: "I'm still processing it. I really am in shock."
She added: "He is an absolutely amazing actor, respected by everyone and part of our family at 'The Hunger Games.'
"We will miss him terribly, and obviously, [we're] really upset for his children and his partner. It's just a tragedy."
A huge number of Hollywood stars, including Tom Hanks, have expressed their sadness following the actor's death, while Michelle Williams, Cate Blanchett, Joaquin Phoenix, Ethan Hawke and Justin Theroux were among the celebrities spotted visiting the late actor's former partner, Mimi O'Donnell, and their three children, Cooper, 10, Tallulah, seven, and Willa, five, at their home.
