Heath Ledger: 1979-2008
The Dark Knight and Brokeback Mountain actor found dead at 28.
Heath Ledger, star of films including Brokeback Mountain, 10 Things I Hate About You, and the forthcoming The Dark Knight, was found dead this afternoon. He was 28.According to news reports, Ledger was found at 3:26 p.m. Eastern by a masseuse who had been let into his apartment by a housekeeper. Upon discovering an unconscious and unresponsive Ledger, the housekeeper called the police while the masseuse called Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's bodyguard, a friend and an EMT. Reports cite sleeping pills (prescribed and over-the-counter) near Ledger and police say they do not suspect foul play. It is also too early to tell if Ledger's death is accidental or a suicide.
Ledger earned an Oscar nomination for his part in Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain and his upcoming appearance as the Joker in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight has been long anticipated. He was in production on the Terry Gilliam-helmed The Imaginarium Of Dr. Parnassus.
Location work on the shoot wrapped this weekend in London, with Ledger reportedly taking time off in New York before traveling to Vancouver to complete considerable effects work on stages.
From the New York Times:
Mr. Ledger, a native of Perth, Australia, won acclaim for his role as a co-star in "Brokeback Mountain" (2005). The film, based on a short story by Annie Proulx about two cowboys who fall in love, won critical acclaim. Reviewing the film in The New York Times, the critic Stephen Holden wrote, "Mr. Ledger magically and mysteriously disappears beneath the skin of his lean, sinewy character. It is a great screen performance, as good as the best of Marlon Brando and Sean Penn.
Ledger is survived by Matilda Rose, his two-year-old daughter with Michelle Williams.
Update: Heath Ledger's father has made a statement with his family confirming his son's death. "We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their well wishes and kind thoughts at this time," he said. "[Heath] was a down to earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and selfless individual who was extremely inspirational to many.
"Please now respect our family's need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."
IGN Movies was on the set of The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus last friday, and reports that Ledger seemed to be in high spirits. While they didn't speak to Ledger, his director Terry Gilliam told them, "He's the most wonderful, inventive guy - there's nothing he won't try to do ... I don't think Hollywood yet realises how extraordinary he is."
Source: New York Times, TMZ, IGN Movies
Jeff Giles, Sara Schieron, and Joe Utichi contributed to this article.
Related Items
| Celeb: | Heath Ledger |
| E. Annie Proulx | |
| Movie: | 10 Things I Hate About You |
| Brokeback Mountain | |
| The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus | |
| Critic: | Stephen Holden |
(1-20 of 300 posts) | Reply
on Jan 22 2008 03:48 PM Horrible news. I'm very saddened by this and my heart goes out to his girlfriend and their 2-year-old daughter. I'm shocked and angered, but RIP Heath. (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:48 PM This is a shame, hes about to star in possibly his greatest role of his carrer and this happends. He was a great actor and had so much more of his life to live. R.I.P. Black Knight box office numbers are gonna be crazy now! (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:49 PM aw this is really sad, he was young. he was in some movies i liked too. does anyone know whats gonna happen with batman now? i thought he was done filming. (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:50 PM Celebrities and drugs- when will they learn? Such a shame to lose another talented young actor for reasons like this. :( (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:51 PM Horrible news. He had a really promising future ahead. How am I supposed to watch The Dark Knight without feeling sad now? (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:51 PM One of my favorite actors - this is terrible, and it really puts thing into perspective....... (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:51 PM This is just way too sad. (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:52 PM This is such sad news. It's just surreal to imagine a "Dedicated to Heath Ledger, 1979-2008" card at the end of The Dark Knight. (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:52 PM This is beyond HORRIBLE! The Joker was supposed to be in the third Batman film too! Now what?!? And the rumours that his sleeping pill overdose was for insomnia cause by his role as The Joker is enough to break my heart. RIP Heath, we'll miss you. (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:53 PM Sad time to be a film fan, he was a good young actor. RIP (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:55 PM This makes me angry to believe that stuff like this happens out of no where. He was young and talented. R.I.P bro (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:55 PM I'll miss him. He was one of the most talented young actors. What a shame... RIP (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:56 PM I can't believe it.. I'm in shock right now.. :( (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:56 PM Truly sad news. My heart and prayers go out to his young daughter and family. He was truly an up and coming actor. I was really looking forward to seeing him in Dark Knight. And though I will still see it, it just won't be the same knowing Heath Ledgers no longer with us. It really proves it any more so that we shouldn't take anything for granted. Live life to it's fullest. You never know when it's your time....Rest in Peace Heath. (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:57 PM Terrible. Someone's dad, someone's son. (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:57 PM ****tttttttyyyyyyyyyy news. this really bothers me. I really liked him as an actor. Thumbs down (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:58 PM It is very sad.... Only thing I can think to console myself is that knowing that his last role in The Dark Knight will be his finest role, as he portrays the Joker as he should have always been portrayed. RIP sir, RIP. "When you go, Go with a smile" (Reply to this) |
on Jan 22 2008 03:58 PM Unfortunate news, he was a great actor. (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:58 PM RIP (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 22 2008 03:58 PM Of all the actors that this could happen to... Man. He was gonna have an amazing career. Its Brandon Lee all over again. (Reply to this) |
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