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Video - Heath Ledger: "I feel good about dying"
Trailer for forthcoming film The Dark Knight
The actor Heath Ledger was found dead from a possible overdose last night, only days after shooting his latest film in East London. He died in a loft apartment in the trendy SoHo neighbourhood of New York.
Police said that the 28-year-old actor had been found when a masseuse called at the apartment for an appointment. A housekeeper went to tell Ledger that the masseuse had arrived, and found him dead at about 3.26 pm. Initial reports said that he was naked and face-down, surrounded by pills.
“We are investigating the possibility of an overdose,” Paul Browne, a spokesman for the New York Police Department, said.
Ledger, who was nominated for an Oscar for his role in Brokeback Mountain, will soon be seen on the big screen as the Joker in the Batman sequel The Dark Knight . He recently appeared in I’m Not There as one of six actors who played the musician Bob Dylan. Ledger, who was born in Australia, had been in London last week to shoot Terry Gilliam’s adventure fantasy The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus with Christopher Plummer and Lily Cole in Clerkenwell.
Ledger grew up in Perth and began performing amateur theatre at the age of 10. After moving to Sydney aged 16 to pursue an acting career, he was cast in roles in television films, and was also given guest spots on TV.
The young heart-throb first came to the public’s attention in 1996, when he played a gay cyclist inSnowy Bowles, a little-known Australian soap opera about Olympic hopefuls at the Western Australian Institute of Sport.
Ledger moved to Los Angeles and co-starred in 10 Things I Hate About You, a teen comedy interpretation of The Taming of the Shrew. Although he received offers for other teen films, he turned them down to wait for projects that he wanted. “It wasn’t a hard decision for me,” he said. “It was hard for everyone else around me to understand. Agents were like, ‘You’re crazy,’ my parents were like, ‘Come on, you have to eat’.”
The actor was linked romantically to Naomi Watts, whom he met on the set of Ned Kelly in 2002. But the couple reportedly stopped dating in August 2002. Ang Lee, the director of Brokeback Mountain, hailed Ledger’s performance as a gay cowboy in the film in 2005 as a “miracle”, reminiscent of a young Marlon Brando.
Ledger was nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of the character Ennis. The Oscar went to Phillip Seymour Hoffman for his portrayal of author Truman Capote in Capote, but Brokeback Mountain won three Academy Awards, including Best Director.
Ledger began a romance with his Brokeback Mountain co-star Michelle Williams. The couple, who have a two-year-old daughter, Matilda, split up in September. Talking about his daughter in a recent interview, Ledger said: “I feel good about dying because I feel alive through her.”
The celebrity Website TMZ.com, which broke the news of Ledger’s death, quoted a “confidant” as saying that the actor had suffered from a sustance abuse problem but had been “clean” for a year. A van from the New York Medical Examiner’s Office arrived at the apartment at 421 Broome Street last night to remove the body. A post-mortem examination will be conducted today, but toxicology tests will take at least several days.
On a role
— For his role in Brokeback Mountain, Ledger was nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe and a Bafta
— One of his early breaks was in 1999 as the lead in the teen movie 10 Things I Hate About You
— In 2001 he had a starring role in the medieval romp A Knight’s Tale and a more serious part in Oscar-winning prison movie Monster’s Ball
— In 2005 he appeared in the film Casanova and in 2006 as a drug-addicted poet in Candy
Source: Internet Movie Database

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A Knight's Tale, the Chaucerian farce, one of my favorite films will be watched with a hint of sadness this evening.
Heath Ledger has brought me many smiles and laughter through his films, and I am sad to see him pass.
Philip Chew, Paddington, England
I was shocked when I heard that Heath Ledger died, apparently of an overdose. He was very talented and from certain interviews I've seen with him on the TV, he also sounded sad as if something was missing from his life.
Its hard to say "I feel good about dying, because I will thru' my daughter" as he said, but did he stop to think this little two year old will never know her father, let alone remember him.
My prayers and thoughts are with the mother of his daughter and the rest of his family. It seems so easy to go off the rails when you make it "big" in films, and drugs are always easy to come by, especially for celebrities. P.H. Roswell, GA
Penelope Holder, Roswell, Georgia, USA
Very sad, i thought he had so much to offer and was brilliant in 'Lords of Dogtown'. His Joker looks great too.
mark shepperson, Chaing Mai, Thailand
From one ex Perth bloke to another, you did good mate. Sorry to see you go
Jack, Castlebar, Ireland
âSic transit Gloria mundiâ in respectful memory of Heath Ledger:
âGood bye, my friends, I am going;
My Lord called me;
Allow me, friends, at parting,
To wipe my weeping e'e.
In token of our friendship
Accept this "Bonnie Doon,"
And when the hand that plucked it
Hath passed beyond the moon,
The memory of my ashes
Will consolation be?
Then, farewell, to all of you,
And farewell, my friends, to thee!â
wetzvonken, Buenos Aires, Argentina
I couldn't believe when the news release came over my computer. He was such a kind talented young actor,who seemed the U.S. fell in love with,as Gabriel in THE PATRIOT. My grandson was named after that character in the movie. So sorry for his home country and his family,and young daughter. God bless all of them.
Linda, Kalkaska, Michigan USA
Such a wonderfully talented actor gone too young. Matilda, that quintessentially Australian name, now without a father. RIP Heath.
Bill, Sydney, Australia
it seems strange because i never heard of drugs problems by him... its a mistery and a terrible loss.
Deins, Buenos aires, argentina
What a lose and tradgedy to the world a good actor and Aussie he will be sadly missed by all
RIP Heath Ledger
John B Goodwin, Tarwin Lower, Australia Victoria
He never married Michelle - please correct this error.
Caroline, New York, NY
I was so shocked when I saw the news on a Sydney newspaper website. I do hope this was just an accidental overdose and not suicide.
I do feel sympathy for his family and daughter. I can't imagine how awful this will be for them.
Emma, London,
What a great shame, such a beautiful man with great talent.
A great loss to his family and the industry.
from shelley, wales
Shelley, Deeside, Wales
Although I don't count myself as a celebrity watcher, I was genuinely shocked and saddened to read of Heath's death today. Whilst in Australia, I watched some of his early work and saw the genuine affection the Aussies have for their home grown talent. He achieved a great breadth of work and it is a shame that his daughter has been left alone.
Linda, Richmond, England
How very very sad. The heroes we see on screen are real, vulnerable men. I hope his family find strength in knowing that he was 'diligent in his business'.
A, Kumasi, Ghana
I'm completely shocked about Heath's sudden dead. After receiving a text from my friend I ran to the computer to read more. I feel horrible for his daughter. WE LOVE YOU HEATH.
Maia , Portsmouth, England
i hate to hear about heath,he was such a nice looking and talented actor.He was acually one of my favorite actors.he will definatly be remembered!!xx
from kirsty-england
kirsty, england,
I still feel quite numb, about hearing of Heath Ledger's untimely death.
He was one of Australia's most refined Actor's.
Not since Mel Gibson, in the Mad Max films, have we seen such a gifted talent.
For those of you, who have posted comments from overseas, you must try and get the film "Two Hands".
One of Heath's best performances in Australia.
God Bless Heath and Bless you Matilda.
One hopes, one day, you'll walk in your Daddy's shadow.
Paul Whelan, Wyong, New South Wales, Australia
I have just finished watching one of Heath Ledger's films, still a little in denial over yesterday's events, it is unbelievably
sad for all concerned.
His quality as an actor will be his legacy, and to gain
widespread acclaim without the need for controversy unlike
some of his peers. The new Batman movie now will
probably out sell every other movie for 2008 tenfold, and that, in
my opinion, could be no more fitting a tribute to such a
remarkable young man.
R.I.P Mr Heath Ledger
james, lady lake, usa, florida
C'mon Tom. Yes, it is sad to see any life lost; particularly a young one - but 5 people checking the news?? Crying as you write??? A tad OTT, for a celb that you didn't know, no?
Nope, Dublin, Ireland
I've been a fan for years, and this news has hit me so very hard. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fellow fans in this difficult time. Heath Ledger was one of the paramount actors of my generation, and his talented will be venerated for years to come. This is all too reminiscent of River Phoenix, and I'm sure, just like River, Heath will be remembered as one of the best.
Skylar Baker-Jordan, Bowling Green, Kentucky
All my thoughts are with his daughter, family and friends. What an ubelievable waste of such a talented young life.
Brokeback Mountain has become one movie I play again and again and cannot help become emotional every time. I so appreciate the superb acting displayed by both men involved.
R.I.P. Heath Ledger - you were a Legend and will be sorely missed
LT, Warminster, UK
Sleep well, sweet Prince.
PRUDENCE EELY BOND MCGUIRE, LONDON, ENGLAND,UK.
I was so shocked when I read this, Heath Ledger was talented and young, its a huge waste. At a time like this your heart must go out to his family, especially his daughter.
It's also really difficult to comprehend why someone would do something like this to themself and to people they love.
But all i can say now is R.I.P Heath Ledger and you will be missed!
Vicky, London, England
I was so shocked when I read this, Heath Ledger was such a great actor, talented, and young. And would have had a bright career and life ahead of him. It's hard to comprehend why someone would do something like this to themselves and those they love. At a time like this our hearts go out to his family, especially his daughter.
All I can say now is R.I.P Heath Ledger and you would be missed immensely!
Vicky, London, England
RIP JOKER ..btw did he he finish his work in DARK KNIGHT ?..
JIBIN, surrey,
Such a waste of talent R.I.P
mark parker, edinburgh, scotland
terrible loss
Deins, Buenos aires, argentina
This is a great loss! so sad, I am still in shock. Such a waste. May his soul rip!
joy, surrey, uk
So sad - he is not one of those 'movie star celebrities' that you would have connected with mis-use of drugs.
Such a sad loss because he still had so much more he could have achieved and he seemed such a nice person - but what do I know?!?!?!
Ken Maltby, Chilliwack, BC, Canada
This is really sad news.
What a shame that such a bright star has faded into the dark.
M
M, Cambridge, UK
Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams were engaged, but never married.
A sad loss to the film world. Heath Ledger RIP.
Linda, London, UK
I cannot believe it,nothing is what seems,r.i.p
jose, madrid, spain
I am stunned by this news. He was an fantastic actor and he starred in several magnificient films including 'a knights tale', Ned Kelly and he took on the daunting role of playing the joker in the new Batman film. This is a tragic loss and the movie world will suffer greatly because of it. My thoughts go out to his family, those who new him on a personal level and his fans.
Christopher, Nottingham,
What an awful waste - what is it with creative people and drugs?
David , Manchester,
R.I.P Heath.
kate playford, sydney, australia
Wow, I'm actually really very upset. A phenomenally good actor, he will be sorely missed onscreen. The death of a young man and a father is always tragic and will be keenly felt methinks. All sympathies to his family and friends.
Helen, Loughborough,
I remember seeing '10 things I hate about you' when I was 16. I genuinely remember thinking it was a perfect teen film. It was funny, romantic and didn't really pander to the whole teen movie trend at the time. It was the first time i saw Ledger in anything and I thought he was an awesome romantic lead. When 'Brokeback Mountain' came out, my girlfriend and I went to see it. She was excited, I wasn't sure, beacause of all the 'gay cowboy' hype that came with it I assumed it'd be a major disapointment. He knocked me over with his performance, showing restraint, heart and passion. The news of his death, literally knocked me for six. I actually had to sit down and let it sink in. I wished it wasn't true. I actually phoned five people and asked them to check the news. I'm writing this, and I'm crying. The Dark Night is going to be huge now, more so than it would ever have been. Presumptious I may be, but he may be a James Dean of our time. Rest in peace Heath.
Tom, Winchester,
We've had a taste of his talents and now, we'll forever go hungry. Its so sad, it truly is. Mr Heath Ledger, IS by far one of the most impressive actors this side of the 21st Century.
Of course they are probably not worth much right now, but my thoughts go to his family and the loved ones his death has cast a dark shadow on.
S.B.
S, Yorkshire, England