CNET Networks Entertainment GameSpot | GameFAQs | SportsGamer | MP3.com | TV.com | Metacritic

Heath Ledger

Print E-mail Comment Tag Facebook Digg

Actor Heath Ledger found dead in NY

By Tim Surette - TV.com
January 22, 2008 at 02:11:00 PM | more stories by this author

Brokeback Mountain, Dark Knight star found dead in Manhattan apartment surrounded by pills.

Ledger with former girlfriend Michelle Williams.

Ledger with former girlfriend Michelle Williams.

Tragedy struck the entertainment world today as Hollywood has lost one of its brightest up-and-coming actors.

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead in a New York City apartment owned by actress Mary-Kate Olsen today, say online reports. Though the immediate cause of death has not been confirmed, the Australian film star was reportedly found surrounded by pills by an in-house masseuse. Ledger was 28 years old. Officials say Olsen is currently away in California and it is unclear why Ledger was in her apartment, according to The New York Times. [UPDATE] Initial reports by The New York Times stating that the apartment belonged to Olsen were retracted, as the actress' publicist denied the reports.

The blonde-locked heartthrob made his first splash in the late 1990s, playing a campus stud in the teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You, before grabbing the lead in A Knight's Tale in 2001. He gained even more recognition as a co-star in Ang Lee's critically acclaimed Brokeback Mountain, in which he played a cowboy wrestling with homosexuality. Ledger received an Oscar nod for that performance.

Ledger as The Joker in <em>The Dark Knight</em>.

Ledger as The Joker in The Dark Knight.

However, Ledger was getting the most buzz from a role in a movie that hasn't even been released yet. Ledger is due for posthumous fanboy stardom as The Joker in the next chapter in the revamped Batman franchise in The Dark Knight. The film, directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale, is due in theaters on July 18. Clips leaked online showed Ledger at one of his finest moments, providing the perfect sinister touch to one of fiction's most notorious villains.

Ledger has one child, born in October 2005, with former fiancée and Dawson's Creek star Michelle Williams.

Print E-mail Comment Tag Facebook Digg

277 Comments

 
Kitsy345
Rest In Peace Heath.
Posted 02/07/2008 6:24pm
STARRHEART
Ok it has now been a week and 2 days and i am finally abel to sleep better again.I have been so devestated by his death, i think i only cryed for a breif time the other day but i am finding peace in watching all his films which some of them are funny and some not even that worthy of watching the full two hours but hey he wasa fantastic actor.

I guess I have been so deprest over his death becuase I feel like I this:
When you like a actor or an actress they become a part of your life and when a tragic thing like this happens it throws people for a loop.
In my heart I feel like a big part of me is gone i know how weird or silly that sounds but that is true!
I was so excited to hear that he was playing the joker in the batman movie i thought he was the perfect actor for the part, but now i am thinking that is maybe what killed him,haveing to play a physopathic and yes the massage person f...ed up big time , she shouldve called 911 first then a close person to him.

I THINK THE LEDGER FAMILY NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE HER !

HEATH I LOVE YOU I will always be a fan and thank you for bringing joy into my life althought brokeback isnt my favorite but you were good in it.

keep shining bright in the sky and i know that the ANGELS up there will help you though this.
To the media leave his faily alone they are greveing! AND MOST OF ALL STOP SAYING HE WAS A PILL POPPER WE DONT KNOW THE TRUE CAUSE OF HIS DEATH YET.

I KNOW IN MY HEART THAT WHAT EVER THE CASE MAYBE IT WAS ACCIDENT!

HE LOVE HIS LITTEL GIRL I DONT THINK HE WANTED TO LEAVE HER FATHERLESS!

R.I.P.
I love u Heath
Posted 01/31/2008 4:12pm
da446
whilst sad at loss of Heath but more sad for hisloved ones epecially his daughter Matilda who did rather have heath back than the oscar he was nominated for Brokeback Mountain
Posted 01/30/2008 10:07am
da446
whilst sad at loss of Heath but more sad for hisloved ones epecially his daughter Matilda who did rather have heath back than the oscar he was nominated for Brokeback Mountain
Posted 01/30/2008 10:07am
LAURAMARIE63
Sad
Posted 01/29/2008 6:48am
STARRHEART
OK it has been a week and I am just now starting to sleep better again i was so devetated by his loss and I havent been abel to cry,partly becuase on the same day of his death I found out that my sisters "ex sister in law "also died a tragic death but this women treated my family so badly that i just didnt give a **** her ) and i found out about Heath like an hour later and his death is really thrown me for a loop my family thinks im over reacting i didnt know him personally so why do i care?
WHEN YOU LIKE A ACTOR OR ACTRESS THEY BECOME A PART OF LIFE AND WHEN A TRAGIC THING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IT THROWS POEPLE FOR A LOOP.
IM MY HEART I FEEL LIKE A BIG PART oF ME IS GONE I KNOW HOW WIERD OR EVEN SILLY THAT SOUNDS BUT IT IS TRUE!
I WAS SO EXCITED TO FIND OUT THAT HE WAS PLAYING THE JOKER IN THE DARK NIGHT AND I THOUGHT THAT HE WAS PERFECT FOR IT ,BUT NOW I AM THIKING HAT IS PART OF WHAT KILLED HIM,HAVEING TO PLAY A PHYSOPATH.AND YES THE MASSAGE PERSON F...ED UP BIG TIME,SHE SHOULDVE CALLED 911 FIRST THEN A CLOSE PERSON TO HIM.
I THINK THE LEDGER FAMILY NEED TO INVESTIGATE HER!

HEATH, I LOVE YOU I WILL ALWAYS BE A FAN AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING JOY INTO MY LIFE ALTHOUGH I DIDNT LIKE BROKEBACK MOUNTIAN BUT YOU WERE GOOD I THAT.
KEEP SHINING BRIGHT IN SKY AND I KNOW THAT THE ANGELS UP THERE WILL HELP YOU THOUGH THIS. TO THE MEDIA LEAVE HIS FAMILY ALONE THEY ARE GREVEING ! AND STOP SAYING HE IS A PILL POPPER ADN DRUGGY WE DONT KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY KILLED HIM YET SO STOP ALL THE FRENZIE!HIS DUAGHTER WILL EVENTUALLY SEE THESE NEWS CLIPS SOME DAY.

TO HEATHS FAMILYY IM SO DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND JUST KNOW THAT HE IS NOW AN ANGEL UP IN THE SKY WATCHING OVER ALL HIS FAMILY ,FRIENDS AND FANS THAT CARES ABOUT HIM!

AGAIN IM SO SORRY!
R.I.P. HEATH I FOREVER LOVE YOU!
Posted 01/29/2008 5:42am
STARRHEART
OK it has been a week and I am just now starting to sleep better again i was so devetated by his loss and I havent been abel to cry,partly becuase on the same day of his death I found out that my sisters "ex sister in law "also died a tragic death but this women treated my family so badly that i just didnt give a **** her ) and i found out about Heath like an hour later and his death is really thrown me for a loop my family thinks im over reacting i didnt know him personally so why do i care?
WHEN YOU LIKE A ACTOR OR ACTRESS THEY BECOME A PART OF LIFE AND WHEN A TRAGIC THING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IT THROWS POEPLE FOR A LOOP.
IM MY HEART I FEEL LIKE A BIG PART oF ME IS GONE I KNOW HOW WIERD OR EVEN SILLY THAT SOUNDS BUT IT IS TRUE!
I WAS SO EXCITED TO FIND OUT THAT HE WAS PLAYING THE JOKER IN THE DARK NIGHT AND I THOUGHT THAT HE WAS PERFECT FOR IT ,BUT NOW I AM THIKING HAT IS PART OF WHAT KILLED HIM,HAVEING TO PLAY A PHYSOPATH.AND YES THE MASSAGE PERSON F...ED UP BIG TIME,SHE SHOULDVE CALLED 911 FIRST THEN A CLOSE PERSON TO HIM.
I THINK THE LEDGER FAMILY NEED TO INVESTIGATE HER!

HEATH, I LOVE YOU I WILL ALWAYS BE A FAN AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING JOY INTO MY LIFE ALTHOUGH I DIDNT LIKE BROKEBACK MOUNTIAN BUT YOU WERE GOOD I THAT.
KEEP SHINING BRIGHT IN SKY AND I KNOW THAT THE ANGELS UP THERE WILL HELP YOU THOUGH THIS. TO THE MEDIA LEAVE HIS FAMILY ALONE THEY ARE GREVEING ! AND STOP SAYING HE IS A PILL POPPER ADN DRUGGY WE DONT KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY KILLED HIM YET SO STOP ALL THE FRENZIE!HIS DUAGHTER WILL EVENTUALLY SEE THESE NEWS CLIPS SOME DAY.

TO HEATHS FAMILYY IM SO DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND JUST KNOW THAT HE IS NOW AN ANGEL UP IN THE SKY WATCHING OVER ALL HIS FAMILY ,FRIENDS AND FANS THAT CARES ABOUT HIM!

AGAIN IM SO SORRY!
R.I.P. HEATH I FOREVER LOVE YOU!
Posted 01/29/2008 5:42am
STARRHEART
OK it has been a week and I am just now starting to sleep better again i was so devetated by his loss and I havent been abel to cry,partly becuase on the same day of his death I found out that my sisters "ex sister in law "also died a tragic death but this women treated my family so badly that i just didnt give a **** her ) and i found out about Heath like an hour later and his death is really thrown me for a loop my family thinks im over reacting i didnt know him personally so why do i care?
WHEN YOU LIKE A ACTOR OR ACTRESS THEY BECOME A PART OF LIFE AND WHEN A TRAGIC THING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IT THROWS POEPLE FOR A LOOP.
IM MY HEART I FEEL LIKE A BIG PART oF ME IS GONE I KNOW HOW WIERD OR EVEN SILLY THAT SOUNDS BUT IT IS TRUE!
I WAS SO EXCITED TO FIND OUT THAT HE WAS PLAYING THE JOKER IN THE DARK NIGHT AND I THOUGHT THAT HE WAS PERFECT FOR IT ,BUT NOW I AM THIKING HAT IS PART OF WHAT KILLED HIM,HAVEING TO PLAY A PHYSOPATH.AND YES THE MASSAGE PERSON F...ED UP BIG TIME,SHE SHOULDVE CALLED 911 FIRST THEN A CLOSE PERSON TO HIM.
I THINK THE LEDGER FAMILY NEED TO INVESTIGATE HER!

HEATH, I LOVE YOU I WILL ALWAYS BE A FAN AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING JOY INTO MY LIFE ALTHOUGH I DIDNT LIKE BROKEBACK MOUNTIAN BUT YOU WERE GOOD I THAT.
KEEP SHINING BRIGHT IN SKY AND I KNOW THAT THE ANGELS UP THERE WILL HELP YOU THOUGH THIS. TO THE MEDIA LEAVE HIS FAMILY ALONE THEY ARE GREVEING ! AND STOP SAYING HE IS A PILL POPPER ADN DRUGGY WE DONT KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY KILLED HIM YET SO STOP ALL THE FRENZIE!HIS DUAGHTER WILL EVENTUALLY SEE THESE NEWS CLIPS SOME DAY.

TO HEATHS FAMILYY IM SO DEEPLY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS AND JUST KNOW THAT HE IS NOW AN ANGEL UP IN THE SKY WATCHING OVER ALL HIS FAMILY ,FRIENDS AND FANS THAT CARES ABOUT HIM!

AGAIN IM SO SORRY!
R.I.P. HEATH I FOREVER LOVE YOU!
Posted 01/29/2008 5:41am
Pinkmyst
As a fellow Aussie, I will sadly miss Heath, he has been a fav for many years
My thoughts are with his family
Posted 01/27/2008 12:23am
karaeljorel
in my opinion i will say that it was a stupid thing that the therapist or whoever was there did. they should'nt have called mary-kate they should have just dialed 911 because they would or might have saved the life of this actor that we have grown to love. he was only 28 and i feel so sorry for mathilda his daughter who doesnt know that she will never see her father again.
Posted 01/25/2008 5:10pm
sheik3008
Posted 01/25/2008 3:17pm
sheik3008
Posted 01/25/2008 3:17pm
Butterscotch3
that guy on fox news needs to STFU.
Posted 01/25/2008 2:00pm
wonderlust786
A great actor, a real loss! I've no doubt that he was good a person! Incredibly Sad and very Shocking! Tragic way to go, deepest sympathies go out to his family!
Posted 01/25/2008 1:49pm
Seeker615
Rest in Peace Heath. You will be missed.

My prayer go out to his family and friends. They are dealing with a lot of grief as well as the media!
Posted 01/25/2008 12:33pm
dust2
Pill popper
Posted 01/25/2008 12:12pm
justagirl_21
R.I.P.

And enough with the media covering let the fam mourn in peace
Posted 01/25/2008 12:11pm
spankywayne
This young man was becomming a great actor. I think the young actors or actress sometime take on more than they can handle. The fame, fast life and publicity that comes with acting. It is a shame he had to leave us so soon. He will be greatly missed.
Posted 01/25/2008 12:09pm
towno1sready
He will be greatly missed. I send out my prayers to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.
Posted 01/25/2008 12:01pm
PunksWorldWide
Heath was a beautiful actor and he will be truely missed. This is a great loss for the acting community. Watching a Heath Ledger film will never be the same again. He was far too young to have left this world so soon.
Posted 01/25/2008 11:28am
lil-sammy
y did this have to happen to him, he is such a good acter in brokeback mountain??
This is a very big loss for the acting community, please R.I.P Heath!!!!
Posted 01/25/2008 8:36am
tkbrainslug
I still can't believe it that my favourite actor is gone
Posted 01/25/2008 8:29am
linda_mreggen
I was shocked when I heard that he had died. Heath was a very very good actor, and I will miss him. R.I.P. Heath. What a loss...
Posted 01/25/2008 8:22am
clare616
So sad to hear of his death. He'd made such good movies already and was almost certainly destined to become one ofthe finest actors of his generation.

Sadley missed
Posted 01/25/2008 7:01am
Britgirlrnr
Very sad, very shocking, even more shocking is the media specualtion that is going on. I loved his films and despite Brokeback being so very good I think that his very best was yet to come.
Posted 01/25/2008 4:37am
goofy5507
Really can't believe it, just stupid great actor!!!!
Posted 01/25/2008 4:35am
jimmyarby
great loss

RIP
Posted 01/25/2008 12:03am
cherrygirl1
I loved Heath, I thought he was such a talented actor and watched so many of his movies. He looked so shy sometimes and then the next minute, so full of live, he had a lot of different facets. remember when his little girl was born and saw her grow up and how much she looked like her daddy and how much he loved her. Breaks my heart she will not remember him and he will not be there. I hope he rests in peace and he will be sorely missed.
Posted 01/24/2008 10:38pm
On1eono1
May his soul be reposed to our loving Creator! You'll be missed!
Posted 01/24/2008 10:34pm
RobertRath
What I find sad is the feeding frenzy this has caused. It shows just how sad the media is that they feel they must bleed this story beyond dry. They should let it go and let his family and friends grieve in private and not turn this into a media circus.
Posted 01/24/2008 10:31pm
xxrediexx
When I first found out that heath ledger was died, I was shocked. I can't believe heath was died. He is amazing actor and great dad. I love his movie Casanova and The Patriot with Mel Gibson. I feel sad for his family and his daughter. Matilda will never see her father again that is very sad. Without no father that will hard. He is so young to died. Rest in Peace Heath.
Posted 01/24/2008 8:37pm
Volcom420f
you were a good man.
Posted 01/24/2008 8:07pm
laughandlove
It's hard to even know what to think when something so tragic happens...I started crying immediately upon reading the news, and was a little surprised that I was so affected - I've only seen 3 of his movies, and wasn't a die-hard fan...but, thinking about it, I realized that his roles (especially in Brokeback Mountain) have really touched me. He had immense talent, and even though he was a Hollywood star he managed to keep his charm and integrity. He was unique and loved, and will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to his friends and family. RIP, Heath.
Posted 01/24/2008 7:46pm
johandogod
I sort of consider this man very lucky he has already become a piece of history with his strong portrayal in Brokeback Mountain. He has achieved something every actor strives for late in their career but he got it so early. His biggest challenge was Dark Knight he fulfilled that as well. But will i witness this portrayal i dont think so let him R.I.P. We dont need to judge a dead mans movie
Posted 01/24/2008 7:10pm
Willow9124
I was shocked when I heard that he died, he was so young. Heath was a brilliant actor, he will be terribly missed. =(
R.I.P. Heath 1979-2008
Posted 01/24/2008 7:01pm
super_mandii
it's so sad. hes such a good actor. and he died so young. thats what the biz does too ya... do we know how he died yet??? i think it's pretty obious...drugs but image if itwas something normal. RIP your movies will live on.
Posted 01/24/2008 6:05pm
lissie1624
I was shocked when I heard this on Tuesday.. at first I thought it was some kind of sick joke that my friend was playing on me.. but now that I know, I still can't believe this.. it's such a tragedy.. he had so much promise and greatness ahead of him, and we lost him at such a young age.. R.I.P Heath.. you'll live on in my memory and through your movies forever..
Posted 01/24/2008 5:57pm
snakpak15
its a tragedy its just unbelieveable when i saw the body bag on the news i just could not comprehend that he was in there its like when someone you know dies you just expect them to walk through the door well its odd but i sort of have that feeling
Posted 01/24/2008 5:51pm
B-MaN003
too young
just too young

RIP Heath
my heart goes out to his family and friends
Posted 01/24/2008 5:30pm
angelsxo
RIP Heath

Hugs,
Mary
Posted 01/24/2008 4:43pm
paulasmess
it's unbelievable... such an amazing actor... he will be missed indeed...
Posted 01/24/2008 4:28pm
crazyagent013
rest in peace, heath.
Posted 01/24/2008 2:46pm
RELIGIONISWAR
Its pathetic how much people care about such an incredibly trivial matter. Anyways it isn't as if Dark Night isn't finished filming.
Posted 01/24/2008 2:43pm
Buffy1988
We lose a good actor and a good man.

Rest in Peace Heath.
Posted 01/24/2008 2:14pm
EmiliaRomagna
what a loss
R.I.P
Posted 01/24/2008 2:02pm
imkate4lyf
RIP!! i loved him in the knights tale.. such a talented actor!
Posted 01/24/2008 1:49pm
taker65
I feel really bad for the family. I am looking foward to seeing how good a joker he was The Dark Knight. Rest in peace Heath, you'll be missed a lot.
Posted 01/24/2008 1:01pm
201988
Vary sad and socked that he is no longer on this earth and that I will never see him in another movie. Upset that he will not get to see his daughter grow up. I will miss him very much.
Posted 01/24/2008 12:37pm
avril182
shocked and saddened at the same time.
Posted 01/24/2008 12:26pm
signe_le
It's horrible.. I can't believe it.. And I know that it might be stupid, but even though I didn't know him, I feel really sad!
Posted 01/24/2008 12:19pm

Sign up now to post a comment!
advertisement

Latest Headlines

updated 09/05/08
Spinoffs: The Closer, The L Word
TNT expanding brand of its top-rated cop show; L Word finally decides which character to let loose.
More News »

Latest Entertainment Headlines

 
Latest music headlines from
Mick Jagger defies years as he hits pension age
Mick Jagger will be entitled to a basic state pension of just under $180 a week. But he will have to wait another five years for free roof insulation.
More music news »