HEATH LEDGER DEAD

[Brundle_Fly]

Source: NYP


January 22, 2008 -- Actor Heath Ledger was found dead today in a Broome Street apartment, apparently from a drug overdose.
Ledger was well known for his role in "Brokeback Mountain," and he stars in the upcoming "The Dark Knight" Batman movie as the Joker.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/seven/01222008/news/regionalnews/heath_ledger_dead_916418.htm

---

wow.

[truebrit71]

1. I agree. Wow.

.

[Little Star]

132. God I wish this were off the front page of DU. I am heartbroken

over this. Twenty Eight years old. A truely gifted actor. Every one says he was a down to earth guy. I never saw him in a movie I did't like. My favorite was A Knights Tale. He will be missed by many.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

2. F***. He was a truly gifted actor.

:cry:

MKJ

[ursi]

160. omg, this is tragic! Unbelievably tragic, he had so much going for him

and so talented.

I loved him in Brokeback Mountain! He played that character so damn well ...

[J-Lo Biafra]

3. Sad. Such a young guy.

:(

It's going to be bittersweet seeing him as the Joker in Dark Knight this summer...

[Greeby]

10. Especially as it's supposed to be a psychotic, morose version of the Joker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight_%28film%29

:(

[J-Lo Biafra]

89. That's what I was thinking.

I remember reading about how he plunged himself into the darker side of his psyche to prepare for the role.

Perhaps darker than we all imagined...

[dave123williams]

102. Here's a clip of him as the Joker:

http://www.actorsandcrew.com/g?t=mediacenter_gal&id=8197&uid=20

So sad, considering he looks AWESOME in the new movie.

[WolverineDG]

4. Damn

Just, damn.

:(

dg

[LizW]

5. Sad. He leaves a young daughter. n/t

[Brundle_Fly]

6. more

The actor has a two-year-old daughter with former fiancee Michelle Williams. Ledger was set to play the Joker in the upcoming Batman film "The Dark Knight." He received an Academy Award nomination for his work in "Brokeback Mountain."

[Duer 157099]

7. Dammit, he was becoming my favorite actor

Recently saw "Casanova" which was surprisingly entertaining and not what I had expected.

Also recently saw him in "Candy" and "Ned Kelly" and was really liking him.

:( Dammit!!

[caligirl]

20. I am almost embarrassed by how many times I've watched Casanova because of him.

[Duer 157099]

32. But even aside from him, wasn't that just a great film?

I didn't see it when it came out because it just seemed too "fluffy" and not the type of film I would really enjoy, but after seeing him in several others, I decided to try it, and was honestly surprised at how well it was made -- not to mention that I also really like Oliver Platt.

[thecrow]

129. For me, it was "The Patriot"

I was shocked when he got shot.
I am more shocked by his death.
I will miss him on the screen!

[nickyt]

35. dot, don't forget "Dogtown and Z Boys" (not the docu, the feature). When I

rented it a few years ago I was dimly aware of this fellow named "Heath", but I watched Z Boys and was floored by the scraggly-haired hippie surf dude...watched credits, saw it was one "Heath Ledger", have been a major fan since.

Gut-wrenching loss -

[Duer 157099]

41. When I saw that film, I didn't even know who he was

so I'll have to watch it again. I loved the doc so much though, that the film was tough to watch.

[roguevalley]

82. He seemed so morose and down the past few. What a sad state

of affairs. Very, very sad thing, this.

[nickyt]

totally agree - docu was mesmerizing, feature? - not so much. But Heath

sparkled in it, gave it the only energy it had -

[pamela]

50. Lords of Dogtown is one of my favorites.

Love Emile Hirsch in that movie and Heath Ledger. Very different part for him but he was very good. Great movie. Good soundtrack, too.

So sad about Heath.

[krkaufman]

55. Who's Keith? Is he related to Heath? And what happened to him? n/t

[Deny and Shred]

85. Agreed.

Haven't seen all his films, but was uber-impressed with him in that film, and been a big fan since. Complete departure from anything else I've seen him in, and he nailed it. His portrayal would have fit right in with the 20-something burnouts who'd hang at my grammar school while I'd shoot hoops in the 70s. That was different time, and the Hollywood sticks mostly to the disco angle, and misses what I remember, and what he brought.

In an age of hyper-type casting, Lords of Dogtown showed the range of a fine actor. 28, damn that's too young.

[nickyt]

103. Funny how that works, eh Deny? This young fella from Australia comes over

here and, as you say "nailed it", this very specific "type" long consigned to history - appreciate your post -

[TheDebbieDee]

8. I loved him in Knight's Tale and 10 Things I Hate About You......

Too bad. So young!

[NashVegas]

76. 10 Things Was a Lot of Fun

:(

[AllyCat]

197. Loved Knight's Tale. And Brokeback Mtn. Really a shame about his daughter n/t

[girl gone mad]

9. Sad.

I saw him in Chicago over the summer. They were filming the Batman movie around my building a lot and I saw him late one night all by himself, dressed in black sitting near "bum town". He looked messed up to me, but I didn't think much of it.

Hollywood and addiction. I guess it's an old story.

[OhioChick]

11. 28 Years Old....

Too Damn Young. R.I.P.

[LeftCoast]

12. Very sad.

I enjoyed his movies. For some reason I didn't really expect this from him.

[Beaverhausen]

13. this is terrible news

:cry:

[superconnected]

14. Very sad, that's two young actors in about a week.

Brad Renfro died on Jan 16th - 6 days ago.

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20080116/D8U6O7PO0.html

I believe both of these actors had drug overdoses.

[AlCzervik]

16. poor Brad, he had such talent but such a troubled life. The news of his passing

in all honesty didn't surprise me, it made me sad but Heath Ledger dying is just a shock.

[saracat]

46. Sad but Heath was a "real star" And known for being "normal' Wow.Just Wow.

[complain jane]

49. So sad

I couldn't believe it when I read the headline.

[regnaD kciN]

191. And that's FIVE famous people in the course of a week...

Bobby Fischer
Brad Renfro
Suzanne Plechette
John Stewart
Heath Ledger

Whatever happened to the maxim that celebrity deaths always come in threes?

[Greylyn58]

15. OMG!!! I am just stunned

I can't think of anything else to say!! :cry:

[FreeState]

17. RIP Heath - you will be missed n/t

[HughBeaumont]

18. Astounding actor.

I thought he excelled in all roles he played . . . along the lines of a Gary Oldman.

He will be missed.

[mzmolly]

19. Very, very sad.

He has a small child as well.

[Cabcere]

21. Damn.

:( I just saw this on TV...so sad. I liked him (and not just because of his good looks - I thought he was a pretty good actor, as well). :( RIP.

[Cronopio]

22. Can't imagine Terry Gilliam is feeling right now.

Heath was one of the stars of Gilliam's next movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and was in the middle of filming. Given what happened with Gilliam's pet project - a movie about Don Quixote - this is just way too much bad luck for Terry.

Not to mention for Heath - one of the most talented young actors. R.I.P. Heath.

[girl gone mad]

25. That was one of my first thoughts, too.

Poor Terry, he's had such bad luck over the years.

[Barrett808]

30. IMDB: The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus

http://imdb.com/title/tt1054606

Tragic.

[krkaufman]

57. Ouch! No doubt. I wasn't aware Gilliam was working another project ...

... but saw the film about the failed Quixote project, and, yeah, this has gotta hurt. Hope Gilliam's production company had some insurance.

[Barrett808]

83. Could be another dance with the completion guarantors

That would be fun. :(

[krkaufman]

106. That poor guy. Hope he doesn't give up directing; I love his films.

[dipsydoodle]

63. Maybe they have sufficient footage

to do what they did in The Crow after Brandon Lee died. Would be a similar tribute.

[Cronopio]

97. Title edit: Can't imagine *what* Terry Gilliam is feeling right now.

I know it's an obvious typo, but I really didn't like the way that typo read, and it's past the edit time.

[Lorien]

189. Man, Gilliam really can't catch a break anymore

looking at the imdb listing for his film it seems like Ledger was the lead. I would have liked to have seen it; a great pairing; off the wall hyper creative Terry Gilliam with more down to earth and serious Health Ledger (at least he always struck me as someone who was very serious about his craft)it would have made for a nice balance, imho. Very sad for all.

[fencesitter]

23. Wow...Sad. He should be in the new Batman flick this summer

As the Joker. It's wrapped.

[JeanGrey]

24. Another curse of fame and drugs?

How awful this is.

[FreeState]

26. He was not know to use drugs - per MSNBC it looks like suicide n/t

[JeanGrey]

111. He WAS known to use drugs. In fact, I think he was in rehab

last year and had a heroin problem.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

122. Indeed, there was a lot of talk about him and drugs.

You never know with Hollywood gossip, but he was looking pretty scraggly these past few years. He was gorgeous, though.

Very very sad to see drugs taking these young lives. The actors are the ones we hear about, but it's sad when it happens to anyone. Recovery is so possible, it just breaks my heart when a young person dies before they can get clean.

[JeanGrey]

168. I saw an interview with him where he was practically crawling

out of his skin, it looked like he needed a fix that bad. I feel so badly about this. So young, and drugs and fame claim another.

[ScreamingMeemie]

64. It was OTC sleeping pills.

Think unisom

[Hepburn]

27. From CNN....

Actor Heath Ledger dead

Heath Ledger, who was nominated for an Academy Award in 2005 for his role as a gay cowboy in "Brokeback Mountain," was found dead today in a Manhattan apartment, New York police told CNN. A possible drug overdose was suspected. Ledger was 28. developing story

http://www.cnn.com/

Jesus Fucking Christ...only 28 years old. :cry:

[LibraLiz1973]

28. That is truly awful. My thoughts & prayers are with his family.

His poor, poor daughter!

[sarge43]

29. How very sad.

And more so for his daughter. May he rest in peace.

[goodgd_yall]

31. Lots of speculations going on now

Why don't they just STFU until the autopsy? Maybe he had a heart attack due to a heart condition that wasn't detected.

[Skittles]

124. I don't understand this either

it's premature

[dbackjon]

33. Wow - just wow.

Thank you for bravely taking on the role of Ennis Del Mar on the groundbreaking "Brokeback Mountain" - you will be missed.

[rAVES]

34. Very sad, same age as myself :(

[Drunken Irishman]

36. Wasn't Jim Morrison 28 when he died, too?

Sorry, your avatar made me think about that.

[rAVES]

37. 27 and 28... very common ages for some reason :/

[closeupready]

38. 27 for Kurt Cobain, too.

:(

[rAVES]

43. yup, and Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Brian Jones, Nick Drake at 26...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forever_27

[frylock]

45. janice; jimi

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

154. Double sad face smiley for Kurt.

:(

[aquart]

39. Also for developing schizophrenia.

[shanti]

69. or manifesting mental illness

n/t

[LandOLincoln]

149. Jim was 27. So were Janis and Jimi.

And this is like a bad acid flashback.

Damn. Just damn.

[Name removed]

173. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LandOLincoln]

185. Jim was a friend of mine, and I'm glad he

lived the way he did, and died before he got old.

But what the fuck does an ignoramus like you know about anything?

"Have you never saw that before?" Who's the fucking peckerhead here, peckerhead?

[Stand and Fight]

40. Could this be why? Maybe it was not a drug overdose per se?

It all tied him in knots. “I stressed out a little too much,” Mr. Ledger said.

He tends to do that. He is here in London filming the latest episode of the “Batman” franchise, “The Dark Knight.” (Mr. Bale, as it happens, plays Batman; Mr. Ledger plays the Joker.) It is a physically and mentally draining role — his Joker is a “psychopathic, mass-murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy” he said cheerfully — and, as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much.

“Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night,” he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.

FROM: The New York Times, 4 November 2007

[girl gone mad]

47. Could be.

Sources are saying "accidental overdose".

[complain jane]

70. & reports also say he had called for a masseuse...

sounds like he was stressed...

Damn he had his whole life ahead of him.

[girl gone mad]

78. He was in London over the weekend..

traveling around that much has to be extremely hard on a person.

[ursi]

162. could he have been an undiagnosed manic depressive?

he's in the age group for it to first manifest in males.

[Connonym]

186. as one who suffers from insomnia and having used Ambien and other sleep aids

I can tell you from first-hand experience that lack of sleep fucks with your mind and it's easy to forget what you've taken or how much you've taken or even deliberately take extra in the hopes of getting sleep. Whether this was a deliberate suicide or not it's still tragic.

[Stand and Fight]

196. Same here...

In fact, that's why I'm awake right now. You're absolutely right on the tragedy and how lack of sleep really gets to you -- to make it worst I'm a programmer!

[saracat]

42. RIP Heath. Such a great loss. Somehow it is always the great ones.

[d_b]

44. R.I.P. =/

[swimmernsecretsea]

48. I hope everyone can remember the contribution he made to LGBT culture,

and how a generation of young people will look back and remind themselves that they felt that much better about themselves and less alone for his great work with Jake Gyllenhaal. It's no exaggeration to say that the film instantly filtered into the American consciousness after it was released, and millions of Gay men and women who had lived closeted lives knew exactly how his character felt. There are stories of young people who considered suicide who reconsidered after seeing his movie, and social groups that have formed around devoted followers of his film "Brokeback Mountain."

Please remember his life for a moment. He leaves behind a child with his co-star in "Brokeback Mountain," actress Michelle Williams. He left us far too soon.

[Bluebear]

51. Yes, indeed.

With appreciation, Heath.

[Beausoir]

53. Thank you. n/t

[dandylion]

60. wise words

my heart aches at his loss

[Duncan Grant]

66. Ennis Del Mar. An amazing performance.

Thanks for your comments -- it is sad news.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

79. That movie should have won best picture hands down. And, Ledger was stunning,

:cry:

MKJ

[Politicub]

138. Absolutely

I still remember the stunning silence from the theater right before the credits rolled. The audience knew it had witnessed something important, even before the movie was later validated as a brilliant piece of art. Brokeback Mountain changed attitudes, and it would have never would have crept as far as it did into the American consciousness without Ledger's brilliant portrayal of Ennis del Mar.

[swimmernsecretsea]

141. I recalled hearing the sounds of weeping at a showing I attended. nt.

[girl gone mad]

87. Absolutely.

Ennis could easily have been a one-dimensional character, but Ledger's performance really elevated that film.

[cboy4]

88. Absolutely. There are no words.

:(

[Politicub]

136. Thank you for saying that

He was fantastic in Brokeback Mountain - a trailblazer. Why do the great ones always die so young?

:cry:

[Little Star]

52. We'll miss you Heath. RIP

[Venus Dog]

54. What he did in "Brokeback" was nothing short of a miracle

He should have won the Oscar for that. His portrayal was sad and amazing and he got it so right. I actually knew a guy that looked and acted just like his character - he was a miner and had once rode rodeo. When I first saw Heath in Brokeback - I was stunned by the resemblance - both physically and speech pattern.

Such a great actor. He will be missed.:cry:

[SteppingRazor]

56. Heath Ledger, anti-war activist:

He was marching back in 2002, when it was not cool to do so, when we were all traitors for speaking our minds.

On edit: that's him in the yellow T-shirt, folks. ;)

[TexasBushwhacker]

65. Looks like Naomi Watts beside him

I think they were a couple at the time.

Unless they find a note, I'm guessing this was an accidental overdose. Young people tend to think they're immortal and lots of people don't understand how drugs (and alcohol) can interact with each other and make 1 + 1 = 3.

[ikojo]

125. My brother committed suicide in July 2001

by taking an overdose of elavil. There was no note. He had an appointment with a psychiatrist scheduled for the week after he was found dead.

There is not always a note.

[swimmernsecretsea]

144. Yet another reason to admire and to mourn his loss.

I didn't know this about him. Thanks for posting both the information and the photo.

[Jennifer C]

157. Here is another photo

http://www.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,,5655399,00.jpg

[Blue Fire]

58. This really sucks.

"A Knight's Tale" is one of our favorite family movies, and both my kids were excited about the upcoming Batman movie.
He really didn't seem like somebody who was addicted. But I wonder if the split with Michelle didn't push him over some hidden psychological edge. I haven't been this bummed over a celebrity death since Brad Delp's suicide.

[Lorien]

75. I didn't know that he had split with her

can't remember her last name ("Brokeback" co-star and for Dawson's Creek cast member). I saw them together on some pre-Oscar show and they seemed so smitten with one another. I was in my 20's myself when I worked in the feature film industry and I hated it. Being so much more high profile, I just can't imagine what it was like for him. Sadly I'm not surprised that so many turn to drugs to deal with all the pressure and shit that goes on. Shame. :-(

[fryguy]

59. ironic

I just watched Candy the other night.....

[proud patriot]

61. he was awesome in a "knight's tale"

and "10 things I hate about you"

:(

[martymar64]

62. RIP Heath

:cry:

[Rob H.]

67. :-(

I really liked his work and was super-excited about seeing him in The Dark Knight this summer based solely on his brief appearance in the trailer. I'll still see it, but it'll definitely be bittersweet. Poor guy--he was so young, and with a young daughter, too. :(

[SocratesInSpirit]

68. Dammit!

This really sucks. He was a great actor. :cry:

RIP, Heath.

[Mad_Dem_X]

71. I am sick with grief

BBM is my favorite movie, Heath was just an amazing actor. This is just so shocking and terrible.

R.I.P., dear one.

[Name removed]

183. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[grace0418]

190. "Get your own life"? That's rich. You come here and poke fun at people's sadness for

no earthly reason other than to make yourself feel superior. I think it's not anyone else but you who needs to get a life.

[TwilightGardener]

72. Wow. Sad. Handsome and talented young man.

[NashVegas]

73. RIP Heath. Thanks for the good work.

I liked his work a lot. He was great at what he did without having the bratty reputation so many others have.
:cry:

[loveangelc]

74. I gasped when I came home and my roommate told me.

I did not believe this.

O.M.G. He was so troubled by how demonic his character as "the Joker" was, that he was only getting 2 hours of sleep at night. He was dating a lot of supermodels after Michelle Williams, and that world is FULL of drug use. So sad.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

77. I just saw that on MSNBC. WTF?

So sad. Rest in peace, Heath.

[lisainmilo]

80. Very Sad!

:-(

[dansolo]

81. I almost hate to bring this up

But do you think that Phelps and his kin will try and crash his funeral?

[nickyt]

98. With ya, solo - guess Fred will have his say in the matter, but

fuck that monster fifty ways from hell -

[Coexist]

84. that is so sad. I was really looking forward to his performance as the Joker

His makeup alone is creep-inducing:

[girl gone mad]

92. I'm sure the film will still be released.

Shooting had already wrapped. They may need to make some changes, but I believe production was far enough along that this shouldn't have too great of an impact on the final cut. The marketing will probably be very different, though.

[krabigirl]

So sad

[Name removed]

86. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[bpeale]

90. Rachael Maddow just said he was found dead at Mary Kate Olsen's apartment

[dave123williams]

94. that's confirmed - link:

"The actor Heath Ledger was found dead this afternoon apartment in Manhattan owned by the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, according to the New York City police. Signs pointed to a suicide, police sources said. Mr. Ledger was 28.

At 3:31 p.m., a masseuse arrived at Apartment 5A in the building, at 421 Broome Street in SoHo, for an appointment with Mr. Ledger, the police said. The masseuse was let in to the home by a housekeeper, who then knocked on the door of Mr. Ledger's bedroom. When no one answered, the housekeeper and the masseuse opened the bedroom and found Mr. Ledger naked and unconscious on a bed, with pills scattered around his body. They shook him, but he did not respond. They immediately called the authorities.

The police said they did not suspect foul play. The police said they believed Ms. Olsen, 21, was in California and said it was not clear why Mr. Ledger was in her apartment."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/22/heath-ledger-found-dead_n_82721.html

[quiet.american]

95. The NYT has a correction from police dept. -- not Mary Kate Olsen's apt.

(What a shockingly sad event.)

"Paul J. Browne, the Police Department’s deputy commissioner for public information, initially said that the apartment was owned by the actress Mary-Kate Olsen, but later reversed himself and said that was not the case.

A representative of Ms. Olsen said that the apartment did not belong to the actress. “It is not her apartment,” the representative, Annette Wolf, a publicist for Ms. Olsen, said in a phone interview. “She does not own the apartment. She has never owned the apartment. She and her sister have an apartment in New York City but they are not in this building.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=edit&forum=102&topic_id=3151390&mesg_id=3151612

[dave123williams]

101. Considering the world just got the address, I'd say the publicist is full of it.

[quiet.american]

163. Could be. nt

[dave123williams]

193. I got the story; it's the Olson's bodyguard that called to the scene. Registered EMT.

The housekeeper at Ledger's knew the guy was a couple of buildings over...

[blonndee]

91. Holy shit!

I'm completely shocked.

He was such a gifted actor. What a loss.

[loveangelc]

93. i'm still in shock.

[KT2000]

96. How awful - so sad

Such a good actor and he sure could ride a horse.

[Pachamama]

99. Naomi Watts was his first big love....I bet this has hit her hard...no mention yet of her and if she

knows....

And I can't even imagine being Michelle Williams and having a 2 year old child that won't get to ever see or know her Dad...

I loved him as an actor....what a talent....so young...

It seems however that he lived hard and that this kind of ending wasn't a surprise....

:cry:

[nickyt]

105. And what about poor Jake, as well? I saw them together doing promo for Brokeback

on a couple tv shows - they just were so soulful and cool, warm and funny...and Ang Lee, surely he is reeling in disbelief along with the rest of us...

RIP Heath, dear boy

[complain jane]

113. I read that he wasn't known for using drugs n/t

[JeanGrey]

204. Unfortunately, he was. Alcohol and heroin. He had a short

stint in rehab last year that didn't last. Today when told of Ledger's death in London, Jack Nicholson said "I warned him". Only three words. Poor Heath.

[dave123williams]

100. Here's a clip of him as the Joker:

http://www.actorsandcrew.com/g?t=mediacenter_gal&id=8197&uid=20

So sad. He looks *great* in that part. Too bad he had to die as a famous clown.

[deadlikeme13]

104. RIP, dear Heath: You were spectacular in "The Patriot" !!

You will be remembered.

[ordinaryaveragegirl]

107. Very sad news...

What an amazing young talent, he was destined to be one of the greats. How he left us (suspected suicide) is particularly tragic. My thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.


RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008

[sarge43]

200. That smile - it could melt bones.

Good night, sweet prince.

[KingOfLostSouls]

108. sucks

and yet a speeding bus has still yet to run over zach efron or 50 Cent.


all the talent goes early...

[Cha]

109. It is shocking to the system when

someone you've enjoyed and been entertained by so often you feel like they're a part of your psyche, passes away so suddenly and so young. RIP HeathO8)

[muntrv]

110. Heath was good in The Patriot.

[keepCAblue]

118. And in Monster's Ball and The Four Feathers

Also liked him in The Order.

But Brokeback, by far, is my favorite.

[7 of 11]

112. Wow my heart breaks

And this on the heels of Renfro's death!!!

[muntrv]

114. Reminds me of how River Phoenix died at a young age.

[Radio_Lady]

123. I remembered James Dean.

[greyghost]

115. How shocking and sad. RIP

[nuxvomica]

116. One of my favorite actors

He shoulda gotten the best actor Oscar for Brokeback Mountain. I thought he had the potential to be one of the greats. This is a very sad day for the cinema.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

117. :( Sad news. nt

[RevolutionStartsNow]

119. Anyone see him in "Candy"?

He was very convincing as a heroin addict. I don't know if he was a drug user, but there were rumors. What a shame, no matter what killed him. He was very talented.

[Duer 157099]

127. Yes; he and Geoffrey Rush were also together in "Ned Kelly"

I didn't think he was a user in real life, but then I don't usually follow that sort of thing anyway.

[RevolutionStartsNow]

143. And you never really know...

Gossip is just...gossip. Publicists release all kinds of things that are bullshit, for a variety of reasons. It must suck to be a celebrity.

I don't think we'll ever really know the "truth", nor do I think we are entitled to, just because he was in the public eye.

It's just a shame. Like River Phoenix, and Elliott Smith.

[boston bean]

120. So sad, he was a fantastic actor. I loved him in a Knights Tale.

:cry:

[ChazII]

121. Very sad.. may he rest in peace. n/t

[graywarrior]

126. Shocking and sad.

[michreject]

128. Too bad

I've watched the Patriot a few dozen times. Great role in a great movie.

[blitzen]

130. TMZ reporting that he had pneumonia n/t

[complain jane]

131. As far as drugs go with him, here's what I found online

Ledger, who also stayed out of the sun and fasted to perfect the role of a pale, starving junkie, admits he had no longing to try hard drugs before making Candy, and now he'll never go near them. He adds, "I do think that drugs and alcohol have been obviously glorified and mythologised. We've kind of connected that with what it takes to create something, which is anything from the truth. Creation comes from your mind and it's hard to create when you're phased and drugged out. "I'm sure drugs and alcohol would inspire new thoughts but it's certainly not something that I use as a tool or a mechanism to create."

http://www.cinemablend.com/celebrity/Heath-Ledger-Checks-Into-Rehab-1606.html

[musicblind]

133. WOW! I am so crushed about this

I am so saddened about Ledger's death. I own 10 Things I Hate About You and he was my ex's favorite actor. I remember the posters on his wall. This is so sad. I had watched all the trailers of Batman already on Youtube and was looking forward to it. It is going to be so difficult to watch now.

And then...

I just found out, via this thread, that one of my all time favorite child actors, Brad Renfro, is dead? WTF! He's the same age as me, I have all of his movies. I even wrote a 135 page screenplay about a child actor who lived in a small southern town, and the character was based after him. In the script there was a nod to him because the actor's agent was named Renfro. I entered it into the page international screenwriting competition. Wow, that sucks. I am really shocked to log onto DU and find out this information. I hope that their families will be well.

I was going to watch 10 Things I Hate About you again. I saw it and bought it from walmart the other day... actually I haven't even taken the wrapper off yet. I don't know. What is wrong that these people keep dying like this. Is it really just drugs? I mean, I know some people who use drugs, but my friends don't drop like flies???



(wow I think I came off like an obsessed fan. I'm not, i'm. Just very saddened. About Ledger and A WHOLE LOT about Renfro. I can't believe no one found out and told me before this thread. What bubble I live in.)

[Politicub]

134. How f-ing sad

And what a loss.

[charlie and algernon]

135. My God...

That's incredibly shocking and terribly sad. I have yet to see a movie of his where he wasn't great in it. This is a huge loss to the acting community.

[Jennifer C]

137. I'm in shock

I can't believe it.

I'm in Australia. Understandably everyone here is so sad and in absolute shock.

Such a devastating loss. My heart goes out to his poor family.

[aaronbees]

139. His "Brokeback Mountain" performance was groundbreaking...

and just magnificent. I think it took some real courage to take on that role and do it so powerfully and with such eloquence and sensitivity. I'll miss his artistry on the big screen and where it may have gone. :( RIP.

[Desertrose]

140. This is so sad...he was so young.....

Too many young lives lost...actors, soldiers, sons & daughters.........very sad.

DR

[NightOwwl]

142. I loved him in...

10 Things I Hate About You. I rarely watch movies more than once, but I could watch that again and again. He was so cute when he sang and danced across the bleachers to impress Julia Stiles.

He was outstanding in every role he played. Very, very sad news.

Don't ask me why, but I thought maybe, just maybe, even freepers would feel some sympathy for him so I read some of their posts commenting on his death. All I can say is, those people are inhuman monsters.

[Counciltucky]

145. Seriously? THIS is the lead story on DU?

I mean, yeah, it's tragic and all, but seriously, it's hard to believe that there isn't a more important story.

[msanthrope]

150. Guy who does an important-and perhaps career-jeopardizing

role in one of Hollywood's most controversial and progressive GLBT movies dies and that's not news???

Considering the politicization of culture--i.e. the "Culture War" that the GOPpers think they are fighting, when a person who has taken a chance to forward a political message in the creative arts dies, then yes, it is important.....

[Counciltucky]

176. Fair enough.

Didn't take the Brokeback Mountain aspect into account. Just thought of it in premise as yet another celebrity dying of yet another drug overdose.

[Chovexani]

178. He was also an anti-war activist

Back before it became cool to do so.

Solid progressive guy not to mention a tremendous talent. I am still in shock.

[Counciltucky]

180. That's fair.

It sucks that someone who was helping our causes died. Again, I must claim ignorance in terms of Heath Ledger. I had forgotten about his being in Brokeback Mountain (I actually haven't seen the movie yet), and I didn't really know anything about him other than girls thought he was hot.

[Chovexani]

181. Heh, yeah that's the media for you

I didn't know about the anti-war stuff until someone at work sent me a link today. They never focus on anything of substance period, let alone with celebs.

Hell, TMZ was trying to get streaming video of them getting his body out on a stretcher. :puke:

[Counciltucky]

182. All things considered...

Many celebrities don't have any substance (Paris Hilton, Britney Spears). It appears that Heath Ledger is more of the exception here.

And if I were with TMZ, I'd try and get coverage of that as well, speaking from a media standpoint (I'm working on a Master's in Mass Communication). That footage would be of use to them and grab an audience. Besides, if I'm TMZ, I don't have scruples anyway...

[LandOLincoln]

155. Grow up, and shut up. Thank you. n/t

[swimmernsecretsea]

166. Concise and to the point. Thank you. nt

[Counciltucky]

179. Really?

Like I told the person you responded to, all I did was question. Seemed weird that a celebrity's death (though someone pointed the Brokeback Mountain aspect out to me later -- admittedly, I'm not much familiar with Heath Ledger's body of work) was the top story on DU and not something regarding either what the Bush administration has done or something about the Presidential campaign. No need to support telling me to grow up or shut up. Really.

[LandOLincoln]

205. Sorry about that. I was a little drunk and read your post as

equating Ledger with Spears, Hilton et al.

Which, BTW, I might have done myself if I hadn't seen him on Charlie Rose a few months ago, and then taken the time to do a little reading about him. (I haven't seen Brokeback Mountain yet, myself.)


In any case, I should know better than to post before reading the entire thread. Once again, my apologies.

[Counciltucky]

206. Not a problem.

I actually was equating him with the others, but I didn't know anything about him. Painting a broad brushstroke (or however the saying goes), yes, but that story has been told time and time again (Jim Belushi, River Phoenix, Chris Farley, etc.) and I was expecting more of the same.

Had I known more about Heath Ledger, I'd have understood more of the mourning on here. I knew nothing about him other than he was an actor and girls liked him. And I didn't read the full thread of posts either; otherwise, I'd have known. So I'm sorry about that as well.

[Counciltucky]

177. Was that really necessary?

All I did was question. If you wish to make a point, make it in a more intelligent way than just to insult me.

[donheld]

198. Please forgive the outburst

It's clear we Americans take our celebrities way too seriously. But this one touched me and no doubt others a little harder than some others. He will Always be my Ennis Del Mar. From Brokeback Mountain.

[Counciltucky]

203. And that's fair.

I obviously did not realize how much of an impact Heath Ledger made. I'm aware of Brokeback Mountain's impact -- haven't seen the movie as of yet, but still, the cultural impact -- but didn't really think anything about Heath Ledger (and had, in fact, forgotten he was in it).

To me, on the surface (and not really knowing much about Heath Ledger -- pop culture and I have a tenuous relationship at best), it was another same-old same-old story about an actor dying of a drug overdose.

[Megahurtz]

146. Sad. n/t

[Mrs. Overall]

147. My fifteen year old daughter just heard this on the news and is absolutely heartbroken--

my first response is anger at him if this was intentional. Damn, I loved him in A Knight's Tale. Very talented man. So sad.

[David Zephyr]

148. Very sad news.

This hit me hard today. Right in the gut.

[Divine Discontent]

152. I teared up...

thinking about how wonderful he was about doing publicity for the gay-themed Brokeback Mountain... I am beside myself sad about his life being gone...

I pray for him, his family, daughter, friends and fans who saw him in many interviews and movies and found him to be so TRULY down to earth and relaxed and non-chalant about his fame.

Sad sad day...

[Neshanic]

169. So did I. He was unique.

[Divine Discontent]

171. I made a video in honor of him and the role in BBM that broke my heart & helped me be stronger

read the sidebar comments in the video that he said in interviews. I don't know if you saw that film, but it was amazing. I still need to see Ned Kelly and 10 Thing...

my Video for him --- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kqpQzrr-tM




Heath Ledger slams war

March 21 2003

Australian film star Heath Ledger has added his voice to the anti-war movement, calling on Prime Minister John Howard to "grow up" and assert the nation's independence.

In Melbourne to launch the new Ned Kelly movie, in which he stars in the title role, Ledger said yesterday Australia's involvement in the war on Iraq was ridiculous.

"I think John 'Coward' should just grow up," he said while watching the war on Iraq unfold on television.

"He's so subservient to this guy (US President George Bush) and they're sending 250,000 troops over there, why should we send our 2000, it makes no difference.

"We've got nothing to do with it, we've got to grow up and be independent.

"All of a sudden we're an aggressor, we're part of this, we're supporting this aggression, and it's ridiculous, we shouldn't be."

Ledger said it was strange to be publicising a movie in the midst of war breaking out.

"It's surreal for me to be sitting here, talking to you and giving an interview while they're dropping 3000 bombs on Bagdad," he said.

"It's really hard to sit here and be happy about a movie opening, 'cause it just makes you realise the insignificance of this, it means nothing in comparison.

"The one thing I do have is the opportunity to be heard and it's something that the average person can't stand up and say 'Hey, we shouldn't be doing this.'

"It's just my opinion, but I think it's the right one. I don't think war is the answer to anything.

"It's a very, very sad day."

A pic of him in his Shell Oil "skull" shirt at the Melbourne rally linked below from google images -

http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:S0h7w7F07VxtsM:%3Fv%3D1%26c%3DViewImages%26k%3D2%26d%3D17A4AD9FDB9CF193CC300C081D9F47001F5C9E45D260C47C84E713C2D9EC2FFAE30A760B0D811297

[Neshanic]

202. What a great video. Very nice. Thank you for that.

[Kajsa]

151. Damn it!

He was so talented- so nice looking-

Oh dear God---:cry:

[SmellsLikeDeanSpirit]

153. Goodnight sweet prince.

[Trajan]

156. People are using terms that are undeserved ....

Any media talk of 'suicide' and 'drug overdose' rings of a malicious intent, and reflect poorly on Heath, who most likely took too many sleeping pills in an effort to overcome his known insomnia ....

Saying he died of 'drug overdose' implies an intent to use illegal drugs, which have NOT been found ....

There is absolutely NO EVIDENCE of a suicide whatsoever ..... none .....

This is an accidental overdose of an over the counter sleep aid, perhaps in combination with a prescription sleep aid ....

THAT is what the evidence currently shows .... nothing more and nothing less ...

[ScreamingMeemie]

164. Will you please not add to the stigma that is suicide?

Thank you. I have had enough of this fucking shit from people who have no fucking idea.

[Binka]

167. Ah Honey I Haven't Seen You In Ages

:hug: Jesus Heath was only 2 years older than Ben. :cry:

[ScreamingMeemie]

174. Binka

:hug: I hope you are well.

[Trajan]

201. Now I am utterly confused ....

How, precisely, do I 'Add To The Stigma That Is Suicide' ?

Please: Show directly how I am doing this by quoting from my exact comments .... Describe EXACTLY what I said that shows I have 'added to the stigma that is suicide' .....

You must have woke up on the wrong side of the bed, because I see NOTHING favorable or unfavorable towards suicide in my comments, other than to state that there is no evidence that Heath Ledger committed suicide ....

I usually enjoy your stuff ..... this just comes out of the blue .....

Perhaps I am misreading your post .....

[Ayesha]

158. Sad day :(

His portrayal of Ennis touched me. I also loved him in A Knight's Tale.

I've had this video in my favorites list for a while, and this news has made it even more heartbreaking and powerful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynxkMjeo1jA

[Duer 157099]

159. Here's a good writeup in the SF Chron:

http://www.sfgate.com/flat/archive/2008/01/22/chronicle/archive/2008/01/22/DDG6UJRN4.html?tsp=1

The Hollywood of today doesn't nurture acting talent. That is, it doesn't look for roles that explore the actors' soul. But even accepting that, just by chance and the law of averages, just with a little dumb luck, Ledger should have had two or three or five or six more films in his life that challenged him the way "Brokeback Mountain" challenged him. I think that would have been Ledger's career, from here on out: A combination of OK movies in which he played men who were as magnificent as he looked. And better movies, in which he played men whose imposing physical presence and locked-down stoicism were a façade for an emotional life of desperation and helplessness.

Instead of looking forward, we're forced to look back ... (snip, more at link)

"Instead of looking forward, we're forced to look back." :cry:

[Jade Fox]

175. He would have had a life long career....

IMO. Look what he accomplished in less than ten years--and Ledger was picky about his roles.

With his talent and unique good looks, Heath Ledger would have been one of the enduring film stars of this age. When I heard about his death today, I found myself thinking of all that the world will now never see.

Greatest sympathy to his family/friends.

[AnnieBW]

161. What a shame.

Was is drugs? I heard that he was found in Mary-Kate Olsen's apartment.

[goodgd_yall]

165. Drug Overdose cause is premature speculation

Let's wait until the autopsy.

I just heard on TV that he had come down with pneumonia. It's just another factor that needs to be taken into account.

No illegal drugs were found in his apartment and in an interview an investigator said pills were NOT strewn about as originally reported.

[complain jane]

195. I hate that they keep

repeating that he was found naked. Let the poor guy rest in peace.

And the "drug overdose" thing is already out of hand. People I know who usually have a grain of common sense online have already blathered away about celebrities and their excesses and indulgences and why-should-I-feel-sorry-for-another-celebrity-with-a-heroin-overdose.

I don't think he even did drugs like heroin and I can't stand hearing/reading such ill-informed garbage.

I read he took sleeping pills, over the counter sleeping pills, to try to sleep, and they didn't effect him so he took more, because he was stressed... while filming a recent movie.

I've done the same thing.

I thought he was a talented, versatile actor and a likable guy. Unfortunately that's a rarity these days and his death is our loss.

[Elidor]

170. Goodnight funnyman

[Name removed]

172. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[xchrom]

184. Peace be with your family -- sweet boy --

they will miss you -- so many of us will miss you.

[Name removed]

188. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Eurobabe]

187. Very tragic, sorry for his young daughter and family

Is there an OD virus amongst actors these days? Brad Renfrow and now Heath Ledger? :eyes:

[ForrestGump]

192. This kinda took me aback...

He was so young. He did, though, manage to squeeze some impressive accomplishments into that short life.

This past weekend I watched both The Patriot and A Knight's Tale yet again -- the latter is a film I never tire of watching, with great acting all the way around and a cool story well executed -- and I was again impressed by the job Heath did. He was great in Brokeback Mountain, too, and was shaping up to be one of those actors whose films I'd watch just because they're attached to the project (Gene Hackman, for example, tends to be one of those kind).

It's predictable that a few here will dismiss him or even spit on his not-yet-dug grave simply because he was a 'celebrity,' but from all accounts he remained a down-to-earth dude who had interesting ideas many of us would agree with...regardless, he was a great talent and he was also somebody's father, and somebody's son.

[fortyfeetunder]

194. Damn it.

Another life taken in its prime. RIP Heath.

[JimboDem]

199. Sad News.

RIP, Heath.