Heath Ledger: Difference between revisions
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{{wikinews|Australian actor Heath Ledger found dead in New York City}} |
{{wikinews|Australian actor Heath Ledger found dead in New York City}} |
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Ledger died in his apartment in the [[SoHo]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan, New York]] on [[January 22]], [[2008]]. Ledger's body was found shortly after 3:30pm by his housekeeper and masseuse, who entered the bedroom to find him |
Ledger died in his apartment in the [[SoHo]] neighborhood of [[Manhattan, New York]] on [[January 22]], [[2008]]. Ledger's body was found shortly after 3:30pm by his housekeeper and masseuse, who entered the bedroom to find him unconscious in bed, surrounded by pills. Police do not suspect foul play.<ref>[http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080122/heath_ledger_080122/20080122?hub=World 'Brokeback Mountain' star Heath Ledger found dead]. ''CTV.ca''</ref><ref>[http://cbs2.com/national/Heath.Ledger.Dead.2.635534.html Actor Heath Ledger Found Dead In NYC]</ref><ref>[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/01/23/2144369.htm Heath Ledger dead]</ref> One source claims Ledger was naked.<ref name="deathcite">{{cite web| first=Sewell| last=Chan| url=http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/01/22/actor-heath-ledger-is-found-dead/| title=Actor Heath Ledger Is Found Dead| publisher=[[The New York Times]]| date=January 22, 2008| accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> |
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==Filmography == |
==Filmography == |
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Revision as of 23:05, 22 January 2008
 | This article is currently being heavily edited because its subject has recently died. Information about their death and related events may change significantly and initial news reports may be unreliable. The most recent updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
Heath Ledger | |
|---|---|
 Heath Ledger | |
| Born | Heath Andrew Ledger |
| Partner | Michelle Williams (2005-07) |
| Awards | NYFCC Award For Best Actor 2005 Brokeback Mountain |
Heath 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 from an apparent suicide in a New York City apartment on January 22, 2008.
Early life and family
Ledger 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.
Career
Early career
At 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.
2000-2008
He 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:
- "Both Mr. Ledger and Mr. Gyllenhaal make this anguished love story physically palpable. Mr. Ledger magically and mysteriously disappears beneath the skin of his lean, sinewy character. It is a screen performance, as good as the best of Marlon Brando and Sean Penn."[5]
In another review in Rolling Stone, Peter Travers wrote:
- "Ledger's magnificent performance is an acting miracle. He seems to tear it from his insides. Ledger doesn't just know how Ennis moves, speaks and listens; he knows how he breathes. To see him inhale the scent of a shirt hanging in Jack's closet is to take measure of the pain of love lost."[6]
Ledger received "Best Actor of 2005" awards for Brokeback Mountain from both the New York Film Critics Circle and the San Francisco Film Critics Circle. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance. In the same year, Ledger played a fictionalized version of Giacomo Casanova in Casanova. The film, a romantic comedy which co-starred Sienna Miller, drew mixed reviews from critics and failed to find a significant audience among general moviegoers, though it fared better on DVD.
In 2006, Ledger was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.[7] In 2007, he was one of six actors to portray different sides of singer Bob Dylan in the film I'm Not There.
On July 21, 2006, Ledger was officially confirmed to play iconic comic book villain The Joker in The Dark Knight, the sequel to the 2005 film Batman Begins, opposite fellow I'm Not There star Christian Bale. The film is set to debut on July 18, 2008.[8]
He was filming The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus at the time of his death.
Music
Ledger 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.
Public image
Press reception
Ledger 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 behaviour 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 apologise 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 life
Ledger 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]
Death
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (January 2008) |
Ledger died in his apartment in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan, New York on January 22, 2008. Ledger's body was found shortly after 3:30pm by his housekeeper and masseuse, who entered the bedroom to find him unconscious in bed, surrounded by pills. Police do not suspect foul play.[19][20][21] One source claims Ledger was naked.[22]
Filmography
| Films | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Other notes |
| 1992 | Clowning Around | ||
| 1997 | Paws | Oberon | |
| Blackrock | Toby | ||
| 1999 | 10 Things I Hate about You | Patrick Verona | |
| Two Hands | Jimmy | AFI Award nominee (Best Actor in a Leading Role) | |
| 2000 | The Patriot | Gabriel Martin | |
| 2001 | Monster's Ball | Sonny Grotowski | |
| A Knight's Tale | Sir William Thatcher/Sir Ulrich von Lichtenstein of Gelderland | ||
| 2002 | The Four Feathers | Harry Faversham | |
| 2003 | The Order | Alex Bernier | |
| Ned Kelly | Ned Kelly | AFI Award nominee (Best Actor in a Leading Role) | |
| 2005 | Casanova | Giacomo Casanova | |
| Brokeback Mountain | Ennis del Mar | Academy Award nominee (Best Lead Actor) Golden Globe nominee (Best Lead Actor - Drama) BAFTA Award nominee (Best Lead Actor) SAG nominee (Best Lead Actor, Best Ensemble Cast) AFI Award (Best Lead Actor) | |
| The Brothers Grimm | Jacob Grimm | ||
| Lords of Dogtown | Skip Engblom | ||
| 2006 | Candy | Dan | |
| 2007 | I'm Not There | Robbie Clark | |
| 2008 | The Dark Knight | The Joker | post-production; posthumous appearance |
| Television | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Home and Away | Scott Irwin | |
| Roar | Conor | ||
| 1996 | Sweat | Snowy Bowles | |
References
- ^ a b Heathbaby.com
- ^ Heath Ledger Biography (1979-)
- ^ HEATH LEDGER BIOGRAPHY
- ^ Transcript. Rolling Stone interview.| month=March| year=2006
- ^ Holden, Stephen (December 9, 2005). "Brokeback Mountain - Riding the High Country, Finding and Losing Love". The New York Times. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ Travers, Peter (December 1, 2005). "Brokeback Mountain". Review. Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Academy Invites 120 to Membership". Press Release. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. July 5, 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Heath Ledger? It's TRUE". NEWS ARCHIVES 47. BATMAN ON FILM. July 21, 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ a b Snead, Elizabeth (February 3, 2006). "Heath explains his SAG giggles". Styles & Scenes. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Ledger in damage control". The Age. February 12, 2005. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "When'd we stop stringing 'em up in West Virginia?". January 16, 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ Kiki King, Eva Simpson & Caroline Hedley (March 3, 2006). "THE HEATH IS ON". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Eva Simpson & Caroline Hedley (January 24, 2007). "MICHELLE MARRIES HEATH LEDGER". The Daily Mirror. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Ledger hopes for $3m profit on beach house". The Age. February 11, 2006. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Saurine, Angela (15 April, 2006). "Why the rich are kings of the castle". The Daily Telegraph @ realestate.com.au. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Heath Ledger Michelle Williams Break Up
- ^ [http://www.hollywood.com/news/Williams_Father_Confirms_Ledger_Split/4753467 Williams Father Confirms Ledger Split]
- ^ Heath Ledger and Gemma Ward are 'dating'
- ^ 'Brokeback Mountain' star Heath Ledger found dead. CTV.ca
- ^ Actor Heath Ledger Found Dead In NYC
- ^ Heath Ledger dead
- ^ Chan, Sewell (January 22, 2008). "Actor Heath Ledger Is Found Dead". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
External links
- heathledger.net
- Heath Ledger at IMDb
- Heath Ledger comprehensive profile
- Heath Ledger at Notable Names Database
- Numerous Heath Ledger Interviews at heathledger.net
- Ledger interview, 2005, The Mercury News
- Ledger interview, 2001, E Online
- Heath Ledger Central - Numerous interviews
- Heath Ledger interview
Based on the short story by Annie Proulx | |
| Characters | |
| Music | |
| Other | |
