Philip Seymour Hoffman's playwright friend David Bar Katz is adamant the late actor was not a "partier" and says reports of his "destructive" lifestyle have been totally overblown.
Hoffman died of a suspected drug overdose at his New York City home and Katz was the one who discovered the body in the bathroom of his Manhattan apartment on February 2.
The writer has now spoken out to insist his friend wasn't a drug-addled party animal, but was focused on his work and family.
In an interview with CNN's New Day show, Katz says, "It's a cliche that makes it very easy and that people like, but Phil was not that guy. I can just say that I think a lot of it has been totally overblown. It gives a false picture of him because he was focused, he was working, he was focused on his family, he was not a partier, he was not someone that was in a spiral, he was not self-destructive in any way."
The interview comes after Katz sued editors of American tabloid National Enquirer for printing false allegations suggesting the two friends were lovers and that the playwright had seen Hoffman take drugs.
Enquirer bosses agreed to a settlement and printed an apology in The New York Times. They also agreed to fund a foundation to help aspiring playwrights.
Katz adds to The New York Times, "The issue was never me being outraged at being accused of being gay - we're theatre guys, who cares? The issue was lying about the drugs, that I would betray my friend by telling confidences."
