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Why did Heath Ledger have to die? Was he the sacrificial redeemer for our sins? Did he lose faith in getting back to Brokeback Mountain? Was it the prospect of an amendment against same-sex marriage that brought about his unfortunate demise? I don't understand why someone who's slept with so many beautiful women would want to off himself. Man, Heath lacked gratitutde. If I spent one night with Naomi Watts, I'd be good for life. I'd never seek any other blessing. I'd just live off my memories, secure in my belief in an all-powerful, all-beneficent deity. The last photograph of Heath Ledger: "Heath Ledger was photographed in London on Saturday on the set of his latest movie, "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus." The movie, directed by Terry Gilliam, was due to be released next year."
HEATH Ledger joins a long list of Hollywood stars who died of a drug overdose at a young age. Heathcliff Andrew Ledger (April 4, 1979 – January 22, 2008) was an Australian actor. After appearing in television roles during the 1990s, Ledger developed a Hollywood career. He starred in both critical and financial successes, including The Patriot, Monster's Ball and Brokeback Mountain (for which he received an Academy Award nomination), and completed the role of The Joker in the forthcoming The Dark Knight. Ledger was found dead in a New York City apartment on January 22, 2008. Early life and familyLedger was born in Perth, Western Australia, the son of Sally Ledger Bell (née Ramshaw),[1] a French teacher, and Kim Ledger, a race car driver and mining engineer.[2] Ledger's mother is descended from the Clan Campbell of Scotland and his father comes from a family well-known in Perth. The Sir Frank Ledger Charitable Trust was named after his great-grandfather.[3] Ledger attended Marys Mount Primary School, in Gooseberry Hill, and later Guildford Grammar School and its preparatory school of the same name.Early careerAt sixteen, Ledger sat for early graduation exams, and left school to pursue an acting career[4] with girlfriend Jenna Sorrell. With his best friend, Trevor DiCarlo, Ledger made the cross-country drive to Sydney. He returned to Perth for the TV series Sweat (1996), in which he played a gay cyclist. In 1996, prior to his film debut in the 1997 Australian movie Blackrock, Heath Ledger was involved in the short lived Fox Broadcasting Company fantasy-drama Roar. In 1999, Ledger starred in the teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You and also had the lead role in the acclaimed Australian movie Two Hands, directed by Gregor Jordan.2000-2008He starred in The Patriot, Monster's Ball, A Knight's Tale, Ned Kelly, The Order, and The Brothers Grimm. In 2001, he won a ShoWest Award for the Male Star of Tomorrow based on his performance in The Patriot, and worldwide release of A Knight's Tale. In 2003, he was named one of Australian GQ's Men of the Year for acting. In 2005, Ledger received a "Best Actor in a Drama" Golden Globe nomination for his acclaimed performance in Brokeback Mountain, in which he plays Wyoming ranch hand Ennis Del Mar, who has a love affair with aspiring rodeo rider Jack Twist, played by Jake Gyllenhaal. In the New York Times review of the film, critic Stephen Holden wrote:
MusicLedger started a record company with singer Ben Harper. His first step in the music business was directing Harper's music video for "Morning Yearning". He had directed and produced Australian artist N'Fa's work, including his video "Seduction is Evil". In 2006, Ledger directed three music videos: "Cause an Effect" and "Seduction Is Evil (She's Hot)" for Australian hip-hop artist N'fa, as well as "Morning Yearning" for Ben Harper.Press receptionLedger had a turbulent relationship with paparazzi photographers. It is alleged that he spat at and assaulted a photographer in Sydney in 2004, while a relative also is alleged to have spat on a photographer in 2005. Ledger strongly denied the accusation.[9] On January 13, 2006, several photographers retaliated, squirting Ledger with water pistols as he walked the red carpet for the Sydney premiere of Brokeback Mountain. Ledger was also subject to criticism in the press following his performance on stage at the 2005 Screen Actors Guild Awards. Ledger was seen giggling when presenting Brokeback Mountain as a nominee for Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. The Los Angeles Times described his behavior as "some kind of gay spoof."[9] Ledger later called the Times to explain that his actions were the result of stage fright, saying that he was only told he would be presenting the award minutes beforehand. "I am so sorry and I apologize for my nervousness," Ledger told the newspaper.[10] Ledger also came under fire after he was quoted in January 2006 in Australia's Herald Sun as saying that West Virginia had banned Brokeback Mountain (which it had not). He also referred to the state as having had lynchings as recently as the 1980s. These statements have been roundly disputed by archivists and historians, who have found that the last extra-legal public hanging in West Virginia occurred in 1931.[11]Personal lifeLedger had a relationship with Naomi Watts, whom he met in 2002 during the filming of Ned Kelly. They started dating in August 2002. The couple ended their relationship in April 2004. Previously, he had dated actresses Lisa Zane and Heather Graham. Ledger was engaged to actress Michelle Williams, whom he met on the set of Brokeback Mountain.[12][13] Their daughter, Matilda Rose was born on October 28, 2005. The child's godparents are Ledger's Brokeback costar Jake Gyllenhaal and Williams' Dawson's Creek castmate Busy Phillips. Ledger and his family divided their time between Brooklyn, Los Angeles, and Sydney.[1] Ledger sold his Australian residence in Bronte, New South Wales, for A$7 million.[14][15] In August 2007, Us Weekly reported that Ledger and Williams ended their relationship because of their busy schedule. Neither Ledger nor Williams had confirmed the rumor at that time.[16] On September 4, 2007, Williams' father, Larry, confirmed to Sydney Daily Telegraph that Ledger and Williams had indeed split.[17] In early 2008, Ledger was reported to be seeing model Gemma Ward after media articles linked the two together at end of 2007 holiday celebrations.[18] Ledger died in an apartment in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan, New York on January 22, 2008. Ledger's body was found at around 3.30pm by a housekeeper and a masseuse, who entered the bedroom to find him unconscious in bed, surrounded by pills. Police do not suspect foul play.[19][20][21][22][23] |