Philip Seymour Hoffman fundraiser launched to help Labyrinth Theater

One of the defining collaborations of Philip Seymour Hoffman’s career was his long association with New York’s Labyrinth Theater Company, which he helped to found and where he served as an artistic director for many years.

A new fundraising campaign, organized in part by actor Edward Norton, was launched earlier this week in Hoffman’s memory that is intended to benefit the Labyrinth. The Crowdrise campaign has so far raised nearly $12,000 for the company.

“All donations made here by admirers or friends will go to support the Labyrinth in celebration of Phil’s great talent, his enormous contributions and his spirit,” says the campaign.

Hoffman’s longtime partner was Mimi O’Donnell, who is the artistic director the Labyrinth. (The couple had three children together.) The company has specialized in mounting plays by edgy, risk-taking writers such as Stephen Adly Guirgis, Brett C. Leonard and many others.

PHOTOS: Hoffman’s memorable roles

The Labyrinth, which was founded in 1992, is based at the small Bank Street Theater in New York’s West Village. Hoffman frequently acted in and directed productions for the company. In May, he directed a Labyrinth production of “A Family for All Occasions” by Bob Glaudini, at the Bank.

Hoffman died Sunday in New York from a suspected drug overdose. The actor was found dead in an apartment with a needle in his arm, according to police officials.

Danny Feldman, managing director of the Labyrinth, said the campaign was launched by Norton and his associates, and that the theater company wasn’t behind the campaign.

Norton -- who helped to launch Crowdrise in 2010 -- worked with Hoffman in the movies “Red Dragon” and “25th Hour.”

On Wednesday evening, Broadway theaters in New York will dim their lights in remembrance of the actor.

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