Heath Ledger Remembered | Pajiba - Scathing Reviews for Bitchy People

Heath Ledger Remembered

1979-2008

Miscellaneous | January 22, 2008 | Comments (215)

The Associated Press and other sources are reporting that Heath Ledger has been found dead at a downtown Manhattan residence this afternoon, leaving behind a family and young daughter and more than a few fans. It’s actually kind of amazing how big a star he had become given the fact that he only made a couple of good movies — the self-aware teen comedy 10 Things I Hate About You and the phenomenal Brokeback Mountain bookended several years of movies ranging from subpar (Lords of Dogtown) to the deeply stupid (The Patriot). And yet even though Ledger appeared in embarrassing movies, he never embarrassed himself. He was a really good young actor, and prepared to become a great one. His career was poised to stay strong and even possibly jump another notch, with his recent appearance in Todd Haynes’ I’m Not There and his turn as the Joker in this summer’s The Dark Knight from Christopher Nolan. Ledger was a big star, but he was only 28; he had a lot left in him, and it’s a waste to see him die so young.

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Comments

Holy Crap!

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 22, 2008 5:36 PM

NOOOOOOOO

*cries unconsolably*

this is so very sad...

Posted by: :( at January 22, 2008 5:37 PM

err... it's 2008...

RIP Heath.. gone WAY too soon.

Posted by: ciji at January 22, 2008 5:37 PM

This is a serious tragedy. I wouldn't have believed it if it weren't being broadcast all over the place. Not everything Heath did was a hit, but he was genuinely talented and had so much potential. My prayers go out to his family and loved ones. I said it before and I'll say it again: what a waste.

Posted by: Brie at January 22, 2008 5:38 PM

This is heartbreaking and shocking. Drugs suck. How will this affect The Dark Knight I wonder. Sadness.

Posted by: Drea at January 22, 2008 5:39 PM

A terrible loss :( RIP Heath

Posted by: Kittypants at January 22, 2008 5:39 PM

He was allegedly found in Mary Kate Olsens apt.

This $hit always happens in threes, first Brad, now Heath...Joaquin Phoenix are you taking notice yet???

Posted by: Be Adequite! at January 22, 2008 5:40 PM

My inner 13 year old just died a little.

Posted by: Agente Provocatrice at January 22, 2008 5:43 PM

"Don't do crack it's a ghetto drug."

-sorry you had to leave Heath. I liked your work.

Posted by: slouchmonkey at January 22, 2008 5:44 PM

This is so sad. I was 12 when "10 Things I Hate About You" came out, and Patrick Verona was the perfect man in my eyes. I'm 21 now, and in a lot of ways, he still is.

Goodbye, Heath, my thoughts and prayers are with your family and daughter.

Posted by: Genny at January 22, 2008 5:46 PM

Damn, I loved him. I'm still going to love the Dark Knight but it's going to be sad watching him.

Posted by: Melina at January 22, 2008 5:47 PM

What's especially poignant about Ledger's death, to me, is the fact that his last movie role (besides the unreleased Batman), in "I'm Not There", was that of a young, extremely talented film actor whose rise to fame nearly destroys him.

Man. This sucks.

Posted by: sableized at January 22, 2008 5:50 PM

*floored*

What a waste. He was actually one of the good ones.

Posted by: Monica at January 22, 2008 5:50 PM

He made a lot of good movies (Four Feathers was beautiful), and made a lot of not-good movies better for his presence. I was hopeful for his future - in my cups, I'd insinuated he could've been my generation's Gregory Peck.

Instead, he's our James Dean. Dead too early, and far too pointlessly.

Damn it.

Posted by: Kiku at January 22, 2008 5:51 PM

I want to cry.

Posted by: tetetetigi at January 22, 2008 5:52 PM

I came in to work this morning (at a video shop) and was bombarded with calls from about 6 different people with the news, plus it was the first thing to come up on my google homepage and it was on the radio. What can i say, this is absolutely horrible news. It's terrible that such a great young talent can have is live cut short so suddenly, whereas steven seagal will probably be making movie right into his 90's.

Posted by: Chugga at January 22, 2008 5:52 PM

This is just too sad for words. What a wonderful actor, died way too young. RIP.

Posted by: S at January 22, 2008 5:54 PM

I'm having a River Phoenix moment here.... but never in a million years saw this coming.

Posted by: Beckie at January 22, 2008 5:54 PM

Shit. Just total shit. I've never been particularly affected by celebrity deaths, but this one genuinely hurts. What a fucking waste. He was so good.

Just... ugh. His poor family.

Posted by: becca at January 22, 2008 5:54 PM

He was a good actor - made some fime films (Four Feathers was beautiful, and I loved The Brothers Grimm), and made some mediocre ones better for his presence. He was on his way up, too. In my cups, I'd prophesied his fate as my generation's Gregory Peck.

Instead, he's our James Dean, dead far too early, and too pointlessly.

Damn it.

Posted by: Kiku at January 22, 2008 5:55 PM

Man that's just fucked up.

May God be with the family through this very difficult time.

U'll fondly be remembered Heath.

Posted by: Jean at January 22, 2008 5:55 PM

Sorry for the triple-post. No idea how tht happened.

Posted by: Kiku at January 22, 2008 5:57 PM

I would argue that Ennis Del Mar is the only gay character in film history to embody both this country's (slowly but hopefully surely) acceptance and trepidation of homosexuality. It couldn't have been done so gracefully and modestly without Heath.

Posted by: vinniedelpino at January 22, 2008 5:58 PM

I really can't believe this. It's so difficult to accept the death of someone in your age group, especially someone who had so much life ahead of him. I feel for his little girl.

Posted by: Kolby at January 22, 2008 5:58 PM

There's not really anything to say -- this is pretty terrible. I really do feel for his daughter, poor kid.

Posted by: telis at January 22, 2008 5:59 PM

I've got to say I never really dug the guy that much until I saw "Brokeback Mountain" - I thought he was going to be a mainstay in b-movie rom-coms and period pieces. But holy shit, "Brokeback" blew me away and I had a complete 180 on my opinion of him. Add to that what looked to be the kick-assingest Joker, hands-down, and I'm truly sad that we've lost someone with so much potential.

It'd be nice if the tabloids didn't have a fucking field-day with this, but unfortunately, that's the world we live in. Here's hoping his death is handled with respect and dignity in a celebrity-obsessed culture. Damn...

Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at January 22, 2008 5:59 PM

what a fukn waste!

see kids? this is why drugs are bad.

Posted by: thatgirlshines at January 22, 2008 6:00 PM

i never saw this coming...you think someone is normal, but you never know what is brewing under the service.

he was an incredible actor who had not yet reached the peak of his career. he had amazing potential, and yet, should still be proud of his body of work in the short time he had.

i have a feeling that the dark knight will be a hard movie to see this summer. it's just such a terrible waste.

Posted by: citizen_cris at January 22, 2008 6:01 PM

Well damn it, this doesn't make sense. Shit. I agree with a lot of people that while his work wasn't always stellar he was a good actor. Could've been a great. It's going to be bittersweet when I go see TDK.

Posted by: vadmspartan at January 22, 2008 6:01 PM

How very, very sad.

Posted by: Girl with Curious Hair at January 22, 2008 6:02 PM

i meant "surface" not "service". i would have to mess up a tribute comment.

Posted by: citizen_cris at January 22, 2008 6:02 PM

someone switched the Jake Gyllenhaal wikipedia page to read "newly single"

Posted by: Andrew831 at January 22, 2008 6:03 PM

Okay, somebody has to say it: Brokeback Overdose...

Too soon?

Aaaaanyway, see how fucked up life is, Martin Lawrence, who has no business being alive, considering his drug related shenanigans, still lives. And, is still polluting theaters with his "comedies" and so do similar others (I'm looking at YOU, Sizemore)

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 22, 2008 6:09 PM

I'm completely shocked. The saddest thing about all of this is that his poor daughter will most likely not remember him as she is so young. To me that is the most tragic part of it all.

Posted by: prairiegirl at January 22, 2008 6:10 PM

I'd agree with you, becca. I usually don't give two you-know-whats about celebrity deaths, but this is pretty weird and unsettling. I guess because Heath hadn't been on a "death watch" like some other celebrities (seriously, that kind of talk is sick) and because...well, he was actually talented and likeable (okay, I admit, he became kind of strange after he and Michelle Williams ended things). And he was so young...I don't know. I really wish the press/hollywood wouldn't glamorize the deaths of young actors the way it does. Very sad and unreal.

Posted by: tt_marie at January 22, 2008 6:10 PM

Such a tragic loss for such a young actor.

God Speed Heath.

Posted by: Les~ at January 22, 2008 6:12 PM

Damn. I think this little obit said it very well. Ledger's films were rather uneven in quality, but he was a talented guy and really heading places. What a loss.

Posted by: Armando at January 22, 2008 6:12 PM

And yet Amy Winehouse lives on. What a tragedy.

It'll be hard watching '10 Things I Hate About You' the next time around.

Posted by: Manda at January 22, 2008 6:13 PM

Wow, that surprised me. I'm shocked, I'm sad and I'm just flushed. I'll remember him dearly as a talented young actor.
But I just can't believe he's gone. So young, he's left so many people and now he's gone. Just so heartbreaking.

Posted by: Kamakazi Feminist at January 22, 2008 6:14 PM

My friends and I were stunned when we heard this. How incredibly stupid can one person be to throw their life away. I have no right to say that but at the same time he had everything going for him.

i hope he's in a happy place now.

what a fucking waste.

Posted by: carrie at January 22, 2008 6:15 PM

I was shocked when my uncle told me. I thought he was joking at first.

It's so sad and sickening. I fell in love with him in 10 Things I Hate About You. First Hollywood crush and all that.

He was a big part of what took me from being a little awkward pre-teen to a less awkward, cinema obsessed young woman. Talent like that is evident. Even his little moments in TDK trailer were incredible.

Prayers to his family, especially his little girl.

RIP Heath Ledger

Posted by: Kayanne at January 22, 2008 6:15 PM

Hey, "Be Adequite!". I think he was found in an apartment owned by Mary-Kate Olsen, rather than one she lived in herself.

And though I agree with the comment posted by "sableized", I think it's even weirder that his first truly GREAT role (In Monster's Ball) was that of a sensitive young man who commits suicide, since that is what the NYPD is saying it looked like.

The whole thing does make me really sad as well. Especially if it does turn out that he really did choose to kill himself.

Posted by: Gabrielle at January 22, 2008 6:16 PM

Probably the only one to flash back to River Phoenix on this one but it is a tragity. Dark Knight shouldn't be affected but Terry Gilliam's new movie has him currently being filmed in it so who knows about that. And say what you will Pajibians, but I liked/loved A Knights Tale.

Posted by: Luke at January 22, 2008 6:18 PM

It goes to show you that actors are just human beings after all. I wish seeing things like this would stop people from being so obsessed with Hollywood actors.

That aside this is truly tragic and sad that yet another actor dies to drugs and/or depression. my thoughts are with his family and friends, a truly great talent and a good person lost.

Posted by: Angelmonster at January 22, 2008 6:18 PM

Unbelievable. This came out of nowhere. There was such a wealth of talent and potential.

My thoughts go out to his poor family, though.

Posted by: leuce7 at January 22, 2008 6:18 PM

So who plays him in the biopic?

Also Dark Knight should earn a few more bucks with the 'Ledger's last film!' hype.

Posted by: Andrew831 at January 22, 2008 6:19 PM

His poor daughter.

Posted by: Kermit at January 22, 2008 6:19 PM

Wait, what was the name of the actor that died last week? Him, now Heath Ledger.

Is the celebrity death Trifectca in play?

But yeah, I'm quite sad to see him go. Like the tribute said, he had so much left him and I was excited to see where he would head next after The Dark Knight.

Tragedy.

Posted by: Jim at January 22, 2008 6:20 PM

Oh, my God.

I was on Facebook, and this girl's status was "mourning Heath Ledger" and I jokingly thought to myself, "What, did he like, die or something?"

Oh. My. God.

So sad. He was definitely a talented man who had far more to contribute. Wow.

Posted by: Dita at January 22, 2008 6:21 PM

Damn! I feel sad. So much potential gone.

Posted by: Drake at January 22, 2008 6:21 PM

Son.

Of.

BITCH!

Rest in peace.

Posted by: TK at January 22, 2008 6:22 PM

Perez Hilton - Hopefully, that douchefucker has the common sense to lay off the dumb-ass squiggle-doodles he's so assheaded for in regards to this situation.

Yeah, the "Brokeback Overdose" might be a little too soon, BarbadoSlim, but you're dead-on with the rest of your comment...

I'm gonna guess that as I type, the press is swarming around Michelle Williams' place. Hopefully they all get hit by a large bus, buying her some time before the flashbulbs start popping non-stop...

Posted by: Skitimus Maximus at January 22, 2008 6:22 PM

Sorry for the double post but the police are now reporting the drugs = sleeping pills. There had been rumors that while preparing for the role of the Joker he found it very difficult and suffered insomnia and other issues...

Posted by: Luke at January 22, 2008 6:24 PM

Some asshole just wrote that Martin Lawrence should be dead because of his drug past.

Posted by: Pookie at January 22, 2008 6:24 PM

One of the few I've followed and loved since I was 13. That's a long time to care.

RIP Heath. You would have become one of the true greats - I believe it. Prayers for his family, especially little Matilda.

Posted by: KatSings at January 22, 2008 6:24 PM

This is so very very sad. I agree with becca, that usually I just say, "Wow. Such and such died? That sucks." But this hurts. Maybe it is because he was the same age as me, or maybe because his daughter is only a little younger than mine. Maybe because, as others have said, he had so much left and I thought that we would get to see it. I look forward to The Dark Knight and I believe that it will be a last performance that he should truly be proud of.

Posted by: Dangle McGee at January 22, 2008 6:25 PM

I was so shocked, I actually uttered the phrase "For serious?" He just didn't seem like the type, but who are we to say? If we take a step back and are honest about it, none of us has any idea what their lives (and heads) are like. I feel so bad for his poor little girl.

Posted by: pinkcheese at January 22, 2008 6:26 PM

First heard about this via two co-workers chatting behind me this afternoon. I thought at first they were joking and then I googled his name, and there it was straight from the NYT. Unfuckingbelievable news. I was just watching "Brokeback" again this past week and marveling on what a fine actor he was and looking forward to his future projects. This is especially hard news for me and fellow gay men because Ledger's Ennis Del Mar was the first truly macho gay leading man in pictures. So sad, such a waste.

Posted by: Matt at January 22, 2008 6:28 PM

Some asshole just wrote that Martin Lawrence should be dead because of his drug past.

Posted by: Pookie at January 22, 2008 6:24 PM

---------------------------------------------------

Heh, coming from you I'll give that the value it deserves...

And who's talking about "past"?

Posted by: BarbadoSlim at January 22, 2008 6:30 PM

I think I'm actually flabbergasted. WTF?!?!

At any rate, The Dark Knight is going to make an absolute killing at the box office now, even moreso than before. And I only know this because I JUST FOUND OUT today that Ledger was playing The Joker. Man! I've seen the trailers multiple times, and he was unrecognizable. At least his final role will be a memorable one.

Posted by: monkey_b at January 22, 2008 6:34 PM

one of my favorites...met him over the summer here in chicago and he was really a lovely guy....such a tragedy. who cares about film? he was a human being and he's gone.

Posted by: jordan at January 22, 2008 6:40 PM

This is fucking sad. Seriously, his poor daughter is two years old, and her father dies. This is fucked up. Anybody willing to sit shiva with me?

Posted by: Jeremy at January 22, 2008 6:41 PM

I'm shocked...he didn't seem like an self-destructive celebrity...it's quite a loss considering he was just starting to take on more interesting roles, this is just sad.

Posted by: Radlum at January 22, 2008 6:46 PM

Damn - how awful. What a waste, and what a tragedy for his family.

Posted by: the other boo at January 22, 2008 6:47 PM

I'm glad that fucker is dead. Maybe if his racist daddy wouldn't fucked that black women he would still be alive.

Posted by: Pookie at January 22, 2008 6:49 PM

I just made the awful mistake of venturing over to one of those celebrity gossip sites to see all of the hullabaloo going on, only to be confronted with a live feed of the body bag leaving the apartment while some woman asks the man taking the video, "How much money do you think you'll get for this?" to which he responds "I don't know. That guy up in front is going to be a rich man, damn."
I hate that guy, hate myself for deciding to venture over to that website to begin with, and hate the world in general right now.

Posted by: Stephanie at January 22, 2008 6:50 PM

....and fuck Kurt Cobain also!!!

Posted by: Pookie at January 22, 2008 6:51 PM

I remember an article in NYT from November last year, where he said he was physically exhausted with his mind still going while playing The Joker, and that he had been suffering from insomnia.

Posted by: Adere (AKA Jeff K) at January 22, 2008 6:52 PM

Wow, I didn't even realize how much I loved him and counted on him to make great movies until just now. And I agree with others that this hurts more than other celebrity deaths.

I'm glad Dark Knight is coming so there will still be some of him to see.

Posted by: Meredith at January 22, 2008 6:55 PM

Man, he wasn't supposed to die so young. He was supposed to become an awesome actor and go down in cinema history for being an awesome actor and maybe direct one day and maybe produce another and eventually attain the title of Film Legend so that I could turn to my kids in the future and say, "You know, that Heath Ledger, he was quite a looker when I was young." And they would turn back to me and say, "Mom, ew, that's gross. He is decrepit and balding with bad teeth."

And it wasn't Olsen's apartment he died in. Can people not bring this any lower than it already is?

Posted by: BlueBombardier at January 22, 2008 6:55 PM

I agree with Dangle McGee - I normally just make a passing comment and move on when an actor passes away, but this one is kind of like a punch in the gut. A talented guy with a great career in front of him, who I love since '10 Things I Hate About You.' What a tragedy.

He'll be sadly missed - my heart goes out to his family and little Matilda.

Posted by: Ambiepony at January 22, 2008 6:56 PM

Stephanie, are you serious? That's vile. I hope to never cross paths with such a Web site, or such people. Fucking pathetic.

And seriously, It's not like I don't ALREADY cry like I'm on Oprah's sofa every time I watch Brokeback. But this isn't so much about me ...

Posted by: becca at January 22, 2008 6:59 PM

I'm getting flashbacks of River Phoenix too Luke. This is so terribly heartbreaking... especially for his daughter. RIP Heath.

Posted by: JoAnn at January 22, 2008 7:00 PM

Sad? Sure. Do I feel bad for his friends and family? Sure. Is it a fucking tragedy? Not even close. Perspective people.

Posted by: paco at January 22, 2008 7:00 PM

Seriously.
Oh, I suppose I should have added that said website was TMZ.com.
I am NEVER going there again.

Posted by: Stephanie at January 22, 2008 7:00 PM

Like the rest of you, I am just shocked and saddened by this terrible news. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and especially to his little girl. What an awful, tragic shame.

RIP

Posted by: PMD at January 22, 2008 7:02 PM

So disappointing. I really enjoyed his movies even though most of them didn't have much substance.

Just listening to him speak about the Joker character made me respect him even more. It's a real waste when someone with that talent dies like this.

Posted by: Lex at January 22, 2008 7:02 PM

Un-fucking-believable. I'm in shock. He was such a talented actor. I'm truly upset about this.

Prayers and lots of love to his beautiful daughter, Matilda and the rest of his family and friends.

The world has lost a talented, young person. And, like Stefanie posted, the media is just going to have a field day with this. Why in the hell would anyone think it's a good idea to take picture and video the body being brought out of the apartment building. That's disgusting. Where is the respect? And the decency here? I'm so fucking mad about that. The media should be called out on that. Make them responsible for such a stupid, selfish, immoral and depraved act.

R.I.P Heath. You will be missed.

Posted by: Laci at January 22, 2008 7:03 PM

I actually felt a stab in my heart when I read this. Which is odd, because I normally am rather emotionally detached from the celebrity world (even when deaths occur).

But this is truly sad. God rest your soul, Heath.

Posted by: Sarah at January 22, 2008 7:06 PM

I actually felt a stab in my heart when I read this. Which is odd, because I normally am rather emotionally detached from the celebrity world (even when deaths occur).

But this is truly sad. God rest your soul, Heath.

Posted by: Sarah at January 22, 2008 7:07 PM

Not that it matters over all but for the sake of his friends and family I hope it was an accidental overdose. It's bad enough to lose someone unexpectedly but when you learn it was a suicide it opens up a whole new level of emotions that can be damn hard to come to terms with.

I was sorry to hear about this, I liked most of his movies (yes, even Knight's Tale) and he was a talented actor.

Posted by: Rob at January 22, 2008 7:08 PM

Every time one of these rich young white muthafukers die, muthafukers be coming out the woodwork crying like they knew the muthafuker. I don't want to seem insensitive, but if that punk was to weak to live and wanted to take the easy way out. To hell with him. The muthafuker had everything to live for, his wife, his kid, and he had a good part in the new batman movie.

Posted by: Pookie at January 22, 2008 7:08 PM

Damn. I really liked him. That's just really sad. Watching the Dark Knight is gonna be really weird.

Posted by: Joe at January 22, 2008 7:10 PM

It's just such a shame, I feel so bad for his little girl. What a great actor.

Posted by: Julie at January 22, 2008 7:15 PM

Fuck.

Posted by: twig at January 22, 2008 7:15 PM

I'm with a lot of people in this thread - I usually don't react strongly to celebrity deaths, but this one sucker punched me for some reason. Ledger's Brokeback performance is one of the most affecting things I've ever seen on film, and I will always remember him for that.

Rest in peace, Heath.

Posted by: Jen at January 22, 2008 7:20 PM

I, like so many other posters, feel totally blindsided by Heath Ledger's death. He seemed to be establishing himself as a serious actor with an extremely long and promising future before him. Words cannot explain how excited I was to see the tidbits of him as the Joker in The Dark Knight. If his performance is anywhere near as good as the trailers indicate, his opportunities after this film would have been unlimited. I feel so horrible for his loved ones and his poor daughter, Matilda, who is only two and will probably barely remember him.

This past Sunday, I had a mini impromptu Heath-A-Thon (in a blatant attempt to avoid all studying and homework), watching 10 things I Hate About You, Four Feathers, Brokeback Mountain, and finishing it off by viewing Candy for the first time. How ironic is it that in one of the latest films, Candy, he portrays a struggling addict and now is to believed to have died of a drug overdose? (and possible suicide according to some news outlets) Such a waste of talent, so awful, so sad.

Some people have mentioned how this tragic event will probably boost the profits of The Dark Knight, and that's probably very true. But now I'm actually a little hesitant about rushing out to see it opening night, as I've been planning on doing for months. His sudden, tragic death may distract me from his performance. I guess I'll all be over the shock of it all 6 months from now when the film premiers.

R.I.P. Heath...

Posted by: Pudenda at January 22, 2008 7:21 PM

ARE YOU SERIOUS??

What a horrible, horrible waste of a talented, young, vibrant person.
My heart breaks for his little girl.

He had so much going for him, why did he have to go take his life? He's probably been depressed since he and his wife broke up. The drugs he OD'ed on were both anti-anxiety pills. Oh Heath, I wish they could have helped you more.

Posted by: Lizzie Bennet at January 22, 2008 7:24 PM

Things like this make me angry. Now, I don't want to wish ill on anyone, but I wonder if these little crackheads are paying attention. Amy. Britney. Lindsey. And, yes, I am looking at you too Tom Sizemore and Bobby Brown. Don't waste your talent, people. And now when I watch Brokeback Mountain I can really really cry.

Posted by: greer at January 22, 2008 7:26 PM

Now Ennis can always be with Jack.

Posted by: Anonymoose at January 22, 2008 7:26 PM

"Pookie",
It's obvious you do "mean to seem insensitive". Your comments belie your ignorance (Heath Ledger didn't have a wife) as well as a truly lame sense of humor, (you're suggesting he deserved to die because of the actions of the fictional father of a fictional character he played in a movie? Seriously? Is that supposed to be funny?.
I agree that the media frenzies surrounding the scandalous deaths of young white celebrities are obviously excessive. But you don't have to be so disrespectful to someone who just passed away, not to mention so callous towards his family and friends.
Most of all, you don't have to patronize your readers by saying that you "don't mean to seem insensitive"; of course you do. You're dumb enough to think it's funny.

Posted by: Gabrielle at January 22, 2008 7:28 PM

Oh my goodness...what a horrible thing to wake up to. Oh my goodness.

Posted by: Smokin at January 22, 2008 7:29 PM

I never knew the man, but my heart goes out to his family.
Heath appeared in some dross but unlike many actors, he had moments that pointed towards potential greatness- Brokeback being the most obvious. What is most sad to me is that we will never see him realise it. Such a waste

Posted by: Dave Shepherd at January 22, 2008 7:35 PM

what a thoughtful and eloquent addition to the thread.

dick.

Posted by: lol at January 22, 2008 7:35 PM

He was a truly wonderful actor, and it's unfortunate that hollywood has lost one of the few good actors in the world, and more importantly that the ones who loved him lost him

Posted by: Wow at January 22, 2008 7:36 PM

Wow, this really is sad, and so shocking. It's awful to think what Michelle Williams must be going through; would be hard enough for a non-celebrity, but she has the added crap from the media to deal with. Ugh.

Posted by: MO at January 22, 2008 7:38 PM

you shallow fucks.
even if you truly give a shit about some "actor" dying in his own puddle of self-indulgence, how can you say you love someone you never met.
He might have a been a prick. Probably was a prick since his baby momma wouldn't let him see the baby, feel the baby, touch the baby or heal the baby.

How about the real tragedy of the day?
the end is coming.
and you don't even know it.

Posted by: mothy at January 22, 2008 7:47 PM

quote:
"Watching the Dark Knight is gonna be really weird."

reaction:
you're fucking retarded.

Posted by: mothy at January 22, 2008 7:49 PM

Thank you Mothy, you are a beacon of reason and sanity. The muthafuker died naked and face down with pills all over the place. What the fuck was he doing in one of the olson twins bitches house?

Posted by: Pookie at January 22, 2008 7:58 PM

How bad should I feel that as I was getting of the PATH Train with a coworker, when he told me Heath died, the first thing I said was "They finished the new Batman movie, right? Because after seeing that trailer it would suck if they can't finish the movie." Not my best moment.

Also, you are officialy aging when the you are older than the Star Who Died Young (1/2 year - 30 is coming like a freight train)

Poor kid (had a daughter, just over 2)

Aaaaanyway, see how fucked up life is, Martin Lawrence, who has no business being alive, considering his drug related shenanigans, still lives.

There a Ringo joke buried in there somewhere?

Posted by: Brian at January 22, 2008 7:58 PM

mothy:
Wow. It must be fun to be so superior to the rest of the group. Why do people like you always assume that some sorrow/empathy over any celebrities' death is exclusive to caring about anything else?

Posted by: CDell at January 22, 2008 7:59 PM

To all the rude people gracing the forum: of course it's not a 'tragedy' up there with natural disasters and serial killings and genocide. We know that. But whenever someone's life ends too early, it's tragic. And to deride others for their sadness is ridiculously shallow, bloody-minded and insensitive.

I also don't understand these same people saying that if it was suicide then he doesn't deserve sympathy. To my mind, it would deserve as much - if not more - than if it was accidental. To think of the mental anguish someone has to be in to end it all...

I will 'mourn' the passing of someone who was undoubtedly talented, someone who is leaving behind a family and a daughter, someone who made bold career choices, someone who frequently spoke his mind, someone who clearly touched a lot of people through his craft, someone who should not have died so young.

And I wish the "muthafuckers" would leave the thread.

Posted by: JJ McCLay at January 22, 2008 8:03 PM

Very, very sad news. I wasn't crazy about most of his movies, either, but he was a great actor and seemed like a genuinely nice, decent guy.

It seems so random.

Posted by: Figgy at January 22, 2008 8:03 PM

Pookie... come on, man. Can you put the guns away for a bit on this one? You know I rarely take a shot at you, so how about you do me this one favor. It's one thing to get into a brawl about movies and politics, but this is simply people mourning someone's passing. Let them do that in peace, and take a break from the verbal assault for a little while, huh? At least on this thread.

Thanks.

-TK

Posted by: TK at January 22, 2008 8:10 PM

Mothy, what the hell? the end is coming?
what a...
ok

10 things i hate about you is my favorite chick flick, and the stands scene is the most romantic scene ever. Only thing i can say is that at least his send off (Dark Knight) sends him off on the highest possible note.

Posted by: MAx at January 22, 2008 8:11 PM

mothy:
"quote:
"Watching the Dark Knight is gonna be really weird."

reaction:
you're fucking retarded."

please, elaborate.

Posted by: Joe at January 22, 2008 8:16 PM

Thanks, TK. You said it much better and with fewer expletives than I would have.

When I saw "Waitress" this summer, the experience was tinged with sadness for the loss of Adrienne Shelley. It was her debut as a director and writer and a pretty fine one at that. But unfortunately, we'll never know what else she could have brought to the screen because her life was cut brutally short.

Now this summer, when I go see "The Dark Knight" and watch Heath Ledger tear into his role as the Joker, I'll feel that same mourning for what could have been a fantastic creative career.

What a waste.

As a mom, my heart goes out to his daughter who's just a bit older than Little Pink.

Posted by: Alabamapink at January 22, 2008 8:19 PM

TK you are right, I will sit this one out. But tell them muthafukers don't be coming on here fucking with Pookie.

Posted by: Pookie at January 22, 2008 8:22 PM

Consider it done, Pooks. And thank you.

[fist bump]

Let's move along, y'all.

Posted by: TK at January 22, 2008 8:26 PM

Ledger was a very talented actor and he'll be definitely be missed. I can't say I was completely shocked by the news, surprised yes, shocked no. There's a kind of desperation in almost all of his serious characters that he played so well it seemed honest.

Posted by: king at January 22, 2008 8:34 PM

Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back
You may not have a car at all
But remember brothers and sisters
You can still stand tall

Just be thankful for what you've got
Though you may not drive a great big Cadillac
Diamond in the back, sunroof top
Diggin' the scene
With a gangsta lean
Gangsta whitewalls
TV antennas in the back

William Devaughn

Posted by: mothy at January 22, 2008 8:40 PM

My first response:

"Holy SHIT!"

Absolute disbelief.

I loved him since Roar. Own 10 Things because of his performance. Got suckered into that awful Knight's Tale because of his presence. Loved him in the bizarre Brothers Grimm. Was on the edge of my seat waiting to see his Joker.

And now this.

Shit.

Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at January 22, 2008 8:41 PM

Here are some good quotes from Ledger's Imdb profile page:

"I only do this because I'm having fun. The day I stop having fun, I'll just walk away. I wasn't going to have fun doing a teen movie again.... I don't want to do this for the rest of my life....I don't want to spend the rest of my youth doing this in this industry. There's so much I want to discover." - Vanity Fair (August 2000)

"Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle an I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had - it's marvelous." [On daughter Matilda and being a father]

"The Joker, so far, is definitely the most fun I've had with any character. He's just out of control -- no empathy, he's a sociopath, uh, a psychotic, mass-murdering clown. And, uh, I'm just thoroughly, thoroughly enjoying it. It's just exceeded any expectations I had of what the experience would be like."

"I'm not good at future planning. I don't plan at all. I don't know what I'm doing tomorrow. I don't have a day planner and I don't have a diary. I completely live in the now, not in the past, not in the future."

Posted by: Matt at January 22, 2008 8:44 PM

The Australian newspaper The Age is reporting that he had pneumonia at the time, and they were NOT illicit drugs. "Representatives of the family said police had advised them his death was entirely accidental."
I have no idea if they're correct of course. No matter how it happened, it's very sad.

I wonder if people will turn around and try to blame every woman he ever knew, the way jackasses started pointing fingers at Kate Hudson.

Posted by: Loob at January 22, 2008 8:45 PM

That is 2 weeks in a row HSX will be delisting a Star Bond due to death (Renfro last week)

Posted by: Brian at January 22, 2008 8:48 PM

FYI, he wasn't found at one of the Olsen's homes. They called one of their bodyguards to come over since he was a EMT and Heath was a friend of the Olsens. He also is being reported as having pneumonia and the sleeping pills were prescribed since he was having issues sleeping while filming the Batman movie. Here's a crazy thought, maybe he died for a medical reason versus suicide. His family say they don't believe it's a suicide. The cops are saying it was accidental.

Posted by: mb at January 22, 2008 8:48 PM

Like most of you said, this really shocked me. I figured it was some jerk online trying to mess with everyone. Awful.
Apparently, Ledger was sick with pneumonia when he died. His family is saying that the police have told them that the death was accidental. Not a suicide.
I'm not sure if that makes his death even more sad or not.

Posted by: Emily at January 22, 2008 8:49 PM

thanks TK

and r.i.p. heath ledger (sigh)

Posted by: studpup at January 22, 2008 8:52 PM

beyond sad.

Posted by: goldend at January 22, 2008 8:53 PM

However people feel about the realm of celebrity, it is genuinely sad when a person dies so young and in such a way. Although I didn't know him, or love him, there are people who did and I am very sorry for them and their loss. And I think that sympathy/empathy is always a good thing to feel and send out into the world, even if you think it's "unfair" that a particular person gets it and another does not.

Heath was a good actor, he made a connection with people, and that is evident by the feelings people obviously have for his passing. I know that he was one of those actors that I loved so much when I was younger, and he was kind of obscure so I felt that he was all mine, a secret little find. I'll miss that feeling that I carried for him. And he was very cute and I'll miss that too.

Posted by: Katers at January 22, 2008 8:57 PM

Just like River Phoenix, Heath has left us way too soon. He was definitely poised to become one of best actors of our generation. A substantial loss to the world of acting. R.I.P. Heath Ledger

Posted by: RAT at January 22, 2008 9:04 PM

I also was really shocked to find out that Heath had died. I didn't want to believe it. I watched 10 Things I Hate About You tonight and it made me sad that he would never be in more. He was so talented. This is so sad.

Posted by: Erin at January 22, 2008 9:15 PM

I don't know what's sadder-the loss of a talent before it has had time to truly reveal itself. Or that our society has to intrude its way into a family's private grief. I've never been so sick with the celebrity obsession as I was seeing the vultures gathering outside that apartment building.

Sympathies for the family-especially his daughter.

Posted by: Ms. Parker at January 22, 2008 9:20 PM

This has been with me all day.

I feel horrible for Michelle Williams and their child.

Why couldn't it have been any number of the useless celebs out there? How is Paris Hilton still alive.

I will have something in memory of him up on my page before tomorrow morning.

Posted by: Kevin Longrie at January 22, 2008 9:20 PM

I'm still in shock. Poor Matilda. I adored this man and his work. He will be missed.

Posted by: general rhubarb at January 22, 2008 9:21 PM

I'm just so shocked. Of all the self-destructive young actors, singers and general jackasses out there, I never in a million years saw that kind of thing coming for Heath Ledger. An incredibly talented actor not afraid to take chances on parts that weren't terribly commercial, that were more than a little bit dangerous, and that he poured his soul into. I really thought he had a tremendous future ahead of him. How horribly sad for his little girl. From all accounts he was a very involved, loving dad. I have been so looking forward to his completely dangerous portrayal of the Joker--I still am, but it will be so bittersweet now. I don't know that I will ever be able to watch Brokeback Mountain again. Goodbye, and goodnight, Ennis. May you rest with Jack.

Posted by: dammitjanet at January 22, 2008 9:23 PM

I'm in shock. I loved him so much. And his poor little girl will never really know him.

It's all so horrible.

Posted by: KatyBelle at January 22, 2008 9:36 PM

three views of Heath:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWV7LWyTFQM 10 Things / I can't take my eyes off you scene

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwYXUOH_g5E I'm Not There promo with clips & interviews

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn64_y0A3PI Best role to date, with Emmylou singing. kleenex time (don't read the comments, some nasty stuff)

Posted by: Matt at January 22, 2008 9:37 PM

I did not believe you guys when it was mentioned in today's Love column. I still do not want to believe it.

I also thought of River Phoenix. So talented and so sad.

May you find your peace. I only hope that the media whores leave his family alone.

Posted by: Melody at January 22, 2008 9:41 PM

I too am looking forward to his portrayal of The Joker.

My hope is we will see a nice "for Heath" or something similar in the beginning or at the end of the movie.

RIP, Heath.

Posted by: WhoWhatWhere at January 22, 2008 10:00 PM

Sure, I was one of the many nerds around the world that screamed when he was cast as The Joker. Glad now I also said, back then, "I just hope I'm surprised, because, despite of the seemingly bad choice, he's a good actor". I say "glad" because he has made a huge impression from the footage of TDK so far, on me and, as I see, on many other nerd-friends.

Even if never a fan, I kinda liked the guy. He truly surprised me in this still to be shown, latest role, and he will be missed, even if only for other great roles he would have ahead in his life. He was destined to be a really fine, to-be-remembered actor in a way few of his age are today.

Posted by: gargumma at January 22, 2008 10:08 PM

This is really so disappointing. I was looking forward to what he would become as an actor. I feel awful for his family who will have to undoubtably be subjected to the scrutiny of the media and the endless rumor mills. I especially feel sorry for his poor daughter, who will never truly know her father. Rest In Peace.

Posted by: legib at January 22, 2008 10:10 PM

Anne (in Reno): We also loved him in Roar. It's so sad for so many reasons which have been posted more eloquently above.

Posted by: mswas at January 22, 2008 10:29 PM

It is odd how big of an actor is even though he's only done a few good movies; I didn't even notice until now. I'm going to be so hearbroken when I see The Dark Knight and I realize he'll never be in another movie again. He was really just starting to flourish and show his true acting colors.

Posted by: Kay at January 22, 2008 10:32 PM

This just gave the joker character a whole new complexity no amount of viral marketing could've possibly established.

Anyhu,poor guy-I just hope this doesn't affect Matilda too much.

Posted by: twispious at January 22, 2008 10:45 PM

Becca - I KNOW! It's not as if I don't already cry and collapse into an inconsolable heap when I watch Brokeback Mountain.

Man, his career trajectory was looking so sunny too. That's so sad that something was so painful for him and that this was the result.

Posted by: Katiekate at January 22, 2008 10:46 PM

...Amy. Britney. Lindsey....Don't waste your talent....

Not to take away from this...but did you really just say that LL has talent?

Posted by: Kay at January 22, 2008 10:51 PM

It is a great lost for such a beloved actor.My thoughts & prayers are with his little girl & his loved ones. May he rest in peace in the arms of the Lord. YOU WILL BE GREATLY MISSED HEATH!!!!

Posted by: Sharon at January 22, 2008 10:52 PM

Man, I nearly cried when I saw the newsreader with the 'breaking news' because she was obviously struggling to deliver it. Sucks to be Australian today. We have so few good actors to show the world what we can do, and on today of all days, when one Aussie gets such 'praise' (depending on how you view Oscar nods, of course...) and one becomes the victim of this kind of tragedy. Which it is, by the way, not because he was famous or talented, but because it is a tragedy for anyone, especially one so young, to die in these circumstances.

I've been waiting for the headline to read Britney or Amy with this kind of news, not Heath Ledger...

Posted by: rach at January 22, 2008 10:54 PM

i agree with becca as well. this one hurts.

Posted by: Bree at January 22, 2008 11:01 PM

This is just so heartbreaking. I never heard anything about Heath Ledger being hard partying or being a substance abuser or anything. With the possible exception of his divorce, everything seemed to be going extremely well in his life (I say possible because I can't honestly say whether he felt the divorce was the right thing, only he can.)

I am more than a little excited to see the new Batman movie, and in no small way because of him, I knew C. Nolan and C. Bale where gonna put on a good show, but until I saw the preview, I admit I had some doubts about HL as the Joker. I should have known better though; as was mentioned above by the Pajiba staff, he was always a good, if not great performer, even when the material was sub-par. So statistically, there was little chance he was not gonna rock our collective socks off in the role.

This just feels so wrong. There are just so many other celebrities out there who are worthless and/or abusing drugs who have a history, and while I don't wish them dead or that they could trade places with HL, if one of them were found dead, while still tragic, at least it would have been expected; the sad bookend to a wasted life. How people like the Four Starletards of the Apocalypse (4SotA) can do mountains of drugs and everything else and nothing ever seems to happen to them doesn't seem fair. I wish no person would die young, but why does it always seem to happen to the best of us?

And to the people above, this does ring of River Phoenix, and that's literally the first thing I thought when I heard the news. While I was a little young to understand what had happened when he died, I've since watched his movies and agree that he was on the cusp of greatness when he died. And so was HL.

Goodbye Heath Ledger. I hope you are at peace now.

Posted by: CarpePancakes! at January 22, 2008 11:01 PM

not only is it a horrible tragedy
not only did I like every performance that he gave
not only was I looking forward to years of movies with him
not only because he was just 28 years old
not only is his two year old daughter going to grow up without a dad
not only is this a terrible fucking shame of a lift cut short and potential wasted...

But the man was filming The Imaginarium Of Doctor Parnassus, the new Terry Gilliam movie.

This is ANOTHER Gilliam film cut short by bad luck and tragedy.

Posted by: Withnail at January 22, 2008 11:07 PM

What a terrible and shocking loss. I'll remember him for the Brothers Grim and Brokeback of course, what an incredibly talented guy.

Posted by: racheee at January 22, 2008 11:10 PM

Question - I understand many are justifiably sad and shocked by Heath's death, but is it really necessary to compare who's more worthless? I am by no means a fan of Paris, Lindsay, etc, but frankly - they have nothing to do with this. I'm not sure I understand why they are even brought up, not to mention the slippery slope implications of who's more worthy to live or die. At the end of the day, they're human beings as well, and the whiff of "it wouldn't be so bad if it were Britney, Lindsay, etc" is a tad disturbing.

Posted by: Daphne at January 22, 2008 11:13 PM

Just heard the news about Heath. For the last several years, I've been having my own HL film festival whenever I'm ill. No matter how phlegm-filled or nauseated I am, his performances always bring me joy. I don't have any words that haven't been said already, but I'll damn sure miss him.

Jesus, what a sad day. Heath's gone, but Nic Cage and Tom Cruise are still breathing.

Jesus.

Posted by: Gib at January 22, 2008 11:22 PM

I just have to chime in with the others and say this: Though I never usually feel any emotional connection to celebrity deaths, and I admired Mr. Ledger in a mostly peripheral way, for some reason his untimely death is really, really affecting me. I've been mulling this over all day and I still can't get it to feel real. I'm shocked by my own reaction, really... I guess he affected me more than I had realized.

All I can think of is his silly grin in 10 Things I Hate About You, and how awful it is that his daughter will not remember him.

Seriously, how is this possible? I don't... get it.

Posted by: Nova at January 22, 2008 11:31 PM

I live in Perth, Australia (Heath's home town) and we're all in shock. Perth's a really small place, and everyone here seems to either know him or his family, or know someone that does. My fiance went to school with one of his cousins, my boss worked with another of his cousins, etc. Half of my friends went to parties that he attended when he went to Guildford Grammar.

A woman rang one of the local radio stations this morning, and said that Heath found out that her brother was dying of cancer, and that he had to fly to Sydney to see a specialist. The family couldn't afford for either her or her mother to go with them. Apparently when Heath found out, he flew them both over on several occasions to be with the brother. He asked them not to tell anyone because he didn't want the recognition.

It just seems like such a waste. His family have just released a statement saying that he was suffering from pneumonia at the time of his death, and had been having trouble sleeping.

This just really hits quite close to home, I can't believe how affected I am. He had so much talent.

Rest In Peace Heath. Sincerest condolences to his family.

Posted by: Ali at January 22, 2008 11:35 PM

paco, motha, et al: This is a site dedicated to movies and those who make them. Perhaps you are the ones who require the shift in perspective.

Posted by: becca at January 22, 2008 11:53 PM

I really, really wanted this to be some sick joke on the internet, but it wasn't. I usually don't bat an eyelash when celebrities die, but this really affected me. He was so talented and you could tell that he was set for a lifetime of amazing acting. But now it's over, and because of what? A bottle of pills?

It's just very unfair, especially for his daughter.

Posted by: Dingles at January 22, 2008 11:56 PM

I don't know why I'm so affected by this, since I wasn't a huge fan. I'm just shocked.

And god.. his poor family.

Posted by: Mara at January 22, 2008 11:57 PM

I've always found him an immensely attractive actor and I'm very sorry to hear of his untimely death. Two thoughts: One -- I couldn't help thinking of the celebs that I would RATHER hear of being found dead in their apartments. A few here mentioned Martin Lawrence, and of course The Four Celebutards. Maybe their cold hard little souls keep them alive whilst the tenderheated are more apt to weaken, I don't know. Two -- is there truly such a thing as an "accidental overdose?" I'm skeptical. I mean, it takes a LOT of pills to kill yourself. Really. Even if you take them with alcohol, it takes a lot. It's TECHNICALLY "accidental" if you are so habituated to taking the drugs that you have to take so many more just to FEEL anything that your body can't handle the levels of the drug, and so you overdose that way (a la Lily Bart and chloral hydrate in The House of Mirth) -- OR you mix that drug with another drug that exponentially increases the affect (a la River Phoenix and heroin/cough medicine at The Viper Room). They say Nick Drake's overdose was accidental because he mistook antidepressants for sleeping pills (or vice versa). Elliott Smith's death is still, I believe, considered "unsolved," as the act of committing suicide by stabbing onesself in the chest TWICE is, while physically possible, so rare as to be unheard of. It's just strange how unwilling we are to accept suicide and intentional overdose as a cause of death. Clearly, this guy was alone and sick and needed some serious looking after and monitoring of his drugs. I guess I just wonder how you can be so famous and not have any real friends to take care of you when you need it.

Posted by: RLS-1 at January 22, 2008 11:58 PM

Ali, I was just typing exactly the same thing.
I live in Perth, and woke up to hear the same stories on the radio.

Everyone here has a link to him (we shared the same Hockey Coach)and it makes it very, very sad.

I hope he is remembered for being a decent guy, and not just as a famous actor and all its negative implications.

My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this time.

Posted by: Tannaqui at January 22, 2008 11:59 PM

As has previously been acknowledged, this news is quite sad and unforeseen, as I had always perceived Heath Ledger to be somewhat conventional as far as Hollywood personalities go. I too thought it was a joke when the email hit my inbox from a colleague at work this morning. His role alongside Rose Byrne in Two Hands introduced many in Australia to the fresh faced youth who seemed destined for bigger things. The circumstances are undeniably tragic regardless of his celebrity status.

Posted by: Dexter Morgan at January 23, 2008 12:02 AM

Holy Crap! indeed BarbadoSlim

Posted by: Dexter Morgan at January 23, 2008 12:05 AM

I knew he had drug problems, but he has a lot going for him and he was a pretty good actor. It's really a shocker, thought it was a joke or something when I saw the headline on yahoo and gasped when I saw it everywhere else. He like many like him probably didn't know how handle all the fame and shit...plus with all the papz and shit, I can see how he would struggle with living in general...too sad...

Posted by: ph at January 23, 2008 12:22 AM

Oh Pookie, I was actually cheered by your insensitive comments, believe it or not. I was just feeling so shitty (God knows why a Hollywood death should have that effect on me, but there you go) and reading all those posts along the same lines as what I've been thinking it just made me sadder.
Then I actually snorted in disbelief when I got to your post. Nothing like a little outrage to snap a girl out of her funk.

Posted by: Rahel at January 23, 2008 12:31 AM

Thank you for everything Heath.

You'll be missed.

Posted by: Grrargh at January 23, 2008 12:31 AM

ahahahahaa, i liked the patriot. so sue me.

RIP heath.

Posted by: Grace at January 23, 2008 12:43 AM

I think anything that could be said has been said. Mr. Ledger was one of the premier actors of his generation. I am shocked that he is gone. All I can think is how his family, friends, and especially his little daughter are doing. I cannot even begin the fathom the loss that they must feel. Fate is indeed cruel on the gifted and talented.

TK: Thank you for saying what you did.

Posted by: Gigi Worthington at January 23, 2008 12:48 AM

at first i thought it was a joke him being gone but wow really sad i never thought i would read about that happening to him.at least he will be remembered for making the joker awsome.usually hollywood deaths dont bother me so much at all .

Posted by: anna at January 23, 2008 12:52 AM

*to fathom

Argh...I hate typos!

Posted by: Gigi Worthington at January 23, 2008 12:54 AM

Look, I don't wanna see like an asshole, but Pookie, I think you're kind of a fuckwit. Not in the sense that you're a complete waste of the air that you breathe, but in the fact that you're just a fucking shithead, y'know?

Oh, this counts for you too, Mothy. Seriously. You turdlets are embarassing to people who can actually think coherent thoughts...

AND, the correct spelling is "motherfucker", not "muthafuker". Honestly... look in the dictionary - really. I swear to muthafukin gawd!

Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at January 23, 2008 1:06 AM

god...I know I am 'taking on' here and committing the sin of 'sharing' but I have to say that the sadness I feel about him passing is pretty deep, and I haven't even seen brokeback yet. I thought he had a lot of promise and that is the main evil when you lose someone - everything you expected for the enrichment and nourishment of your life - even if, as in this case, it was from a distance from a group of film aficionados.

And in this context I suppose it's alright to say it - I recently flew in to see my grandmother moments before she died, then three days later I found my beloved father-in-law whom we lived with, dead in his room. Our kids are still reeling two months later. His wife and daughter - I cannot fathom what their pain writ large in papers and scandal sheets alike will be to endure. You all know this feeling in some way or another too...it just keeps informing your every motion until it dulls.

All I can say is that if you love them, hold them close and say so, often. The promise can be taken from you so easily. And if it's drugs - please step in on that person in your life. I've also learned that the hard way. Even the parents of those fool starlet morons ruining their lives are hurting and hoping.

Sorry for blurting and blithering.

Posted by: Rebeccah at January 23, 2008 1:40 AM

Wow, I reacted a little harshly there... Sorry, it's been a lousy day.

Mothy and Pookie, - I am delighted that the two of you found solace and excitement in the word M-O-T-H-E-R-F-U-C-K-E-R, a fantastic word - a word I use at least thirty times a day - and I can only ask, nay, PLEAD, that you give it the proper spelling it so richly deserves. Please, from one avid devotee of foul language to another - let's spell it right, mmmkay?

Posted by: Skittimus Maximus at January 23, 2008 1:43 AM

It has not yet been widely reported that he was sick, very ill, with pneumonia. I hate that they have been playing up the prescription drugs, I hate that they are trying to make it look like some 'hollywood' story.

Posted by: Louis at January 23, 2008 1:49 AM

I hope (although they are probably in the midst of creating a reel as I type) that the butt sluts organising the Oscars don't try to cash in on his death by creating one of those ridiculous "he will be remembered" montages.

This guy was good and looked like he was going to be great. What a shame, what an absolute shame.

Posted by: Superkays at January 23, 2008 1:50 AM

When I read this on the net around 445pm CST, I did the usual double take and read the first clip. Regardless of career, talent, or family I just hate to see young people die in their prime. I wish those connected to him, God's speed and to those that really liked his work, I am sorry you lost someone worth watching.

Again, it reminds us, never forget to tell those you love, that you love them at least once a day.

Posted by: richmac at January 23, 2008 2:09 AM

A beautiful remembrance. Whoever wrote it. Short and simple, but beautiful and honest at the same time. Thanks.

Posted by: Toph at January 23, 2008 2:10 AM

Wow, so sad. I think this is the first time I've felt more than abstract sympathy for a death of a celebrity/total stranger. What a pity, he was so charismatic and talented.

Posted by: peanut at January 23, 2008 3:02 AM

It's probably pointless to add to this already massive thread, but I just have to say how (surprisingly) affected I was by the news of his death, and the circumstances surrounding it. I can recognize how shallow it is to deify a celebrity in this way (did anyone in America react this strongly to Bhutto's assassination?) but I can't help feeling just horribly sad about this.

Posted by: Jen at January 23, 2008 3:22 AM

I work at a newspaper, and we put Ledger in the spot reserved for people who were important, well loved, or made a difference before they died. That might not mean a lot to some people, but it's an honor not bestowed lightly at our paper. And it's the only way hardened, cynical journalists can really express grief at a public figure's passing: Put them in the good spot. I hope he is at peace.

Posted by: Cady at January 23, 2008 3:57 AM

that dopey wide grin he makes in "10 things" was just infectious. just so enjoyable to watch on screen.

like others said...this one hurts...yep

Posted by: jessie-marie at January 23, 2008 5:03 AM

As another aussie on this site, I am very sad and pretty much beyond words at the passing of Heath and my sincere condolences to his family, his friends and to his daughter.

As was mentioned above, those wanting to partake in a little Heath Ledger-thon make sure you track down and watch Two Hands. A great aussie crime flick and one that really kick started Heath and Rose Bryne's career.

Posted by: Noo at January 23, 2008 5:30 AM

I didn't know him personally, but I'm grieving, selfishly, for the lost opportunities to watch a movie and have him convince me that his character is real, and all the emotions that come with that.

Man, I'm getting all soppy and pathetic. I didn't expect that. RIP Heath.

Posted by: Fleur at January 23, 2008 6:05 AM

What struck me first when I heard the news was the girl he left behind. Poor thing.

Poor Michelle, too; judging from the paparazzi's past history she won't get a moment alone.

Posted by: Ling at January 23, 2008 6:18 AM

Wow. Incredibly, incredibly sad. As a Brooklyn resident, I was always bummed that I never got to see him walking around when he lived here. Also, his daughter's name is among my favorites. R.I.P.

Posted by: Samantha T at January 23, 2008 6:52 AM

www.imdb.com asked the question with their poll 'What is the role that you will remember Heath for?' For me its the role that he only did for two years - Matilda's Dad. She won't ever get over losing her Dad, having been in her place - just a little older - 7. I am sorry for his Mum, Dad, sister, family and friends. Michelle to, she has lost the father of her daughter. But mainly my grief is for Matilda.

Posted by: Soot at January 23, 2008 7:15 AM

Unbelievable. The tribute above is perfect. I also re-read Jeremy's review (of BBM) in an effort to understand why this death seems to have affected me so deeply. He was enormously talented and would have delivered more great performances. It was really startling to see HL "bumming" around SoHo recently: unkempt, staggering, vomiting in public. Nevertheless, I cannot believe that HL committed suicide, but he surely appeared to be involved with very powerful drugs or in the grip of profound depression. How terribly, terribly sad.

Posted by: rudy at January 23, 2008 8:27 AM

don't usually care much about celebrity's lives and such, but this hit me like a mac truck when I found out, I was honest to goodness upset...

...now if you'll excuse me, I am going to go listen to The Eagles "James Dean" a few hundred times....

Posted by: Bethy at January 23, 2008 8:49 AM

Rebeccah--nicely said. Oh, and jeez, girl, no need to apologize to us fools; it's a sharing kind of comment thread. Really sorry to hear about your losses, that is truly rough, and I wish the best for you and your fam.

Posted by: MO at January 23, 2008 9:01 AM

I just heard the news this morning. It's crazy. It always affects me when I see someone my age die like that. Thankfully Michelle Williams is in Sweden filming a movie because maybe she can get some peace there and be able to grieve in private. They only just broke up 5 months ago and they share a child so that's rough.

Posted by: lyricalcatt at January 23, 2008 9:15 AM

This leaves a hole in my heart.

Magiel
Amsterdam

Posted by: magiel at January 23, 2008 10:01 AM

Add me to the long list of those sucker punched by this news yesterday. He was a talented and charismatic young man, with boundless potential. Such a shame for that to be taken away...

Posted by: starkravingsane at January 23, 2008 10:11 AM

I'm still shocked by all of this. Such a waste. Obviously he will be missed for selfish reasons--I have seen the "Dark Knight" trailer so many times and I still remember seeing the trailers by my work every morning, walking past them and hoping I'd catch a glimpse of him in makeup--and I was really looking forward to all of the press that would come about from the movie, because I always thought he actually had something interesting to say in interviews. I just feel horrible for his little girl.

Posted by: em at January 23, 2008 10:43 AM

My jaw literally dropped when I heard the news on the radio. Very, very sad. It's funny that we are sharing our feelings on a site dedicated to snarky bitchery. We bitch because we love, don't we?

Posted by: phquaryn at January 23, 2008 10:44 AM

Sad? Sure. Do I feel bad for his friends and family? Sure. Is it a fucking tragedy? Not even close. Perspective people.

Actually, a tragedy is any time where one's own actions lead to one's downfall. Perhaps you're thinking of a disaster? That has to do with scale; tragedy deals with cause.

Correcting others is clearly the way I distract myself from feeling sad.

This sucks.

Posted by: Lollygagger at January 23, 2008 10:46 AM

Wow, I heard this last night from my brother and immediately jumped to Snopes and scoured the web. So sad to see that this is not just a horrible hoax. I was really, really, really hoping that someone was playing a crude joke. Unfortunately, the punchline is all too real.

Posted by: ScarletKnight at January 23, 2008 10:49 AM

I personally saw him as headed for the ranks of Christian Bale...starting out in some lame teen stuff but constantly taking risks and turning into a gifted character actor. Brokeback and Dark Knight appeared to be just the beginning. It's a shame to see him cut down before we could see what he would become. It's an even bigger shame that his little girl will have to grow up without him.

Posted by: MG at January 23, 2008 10:53 AM

I just heard from a co-worker that his wife saw an interview with him a few weeks ago, where he claimed he was experiencing extreme insomnia, and nothing was working for him. Maybe it was an accidental sleeping pill overdose, and not a recreational drug overdose...

Posted by: agente provocatrice at January 23, 2008 10:53 AM

This came completely out of left field, for me. Even stranger because I was talking about River Phoenix and his death with my friend the evening before.

Sad, sad, sad.

Posted by: redrighthand at January 23, 2008 11:05 AM

Like Rudy, I spent a little time re-reading Jeremy's review of Brokeback Mountain. It really is a lovely piece of writing, and a fitting tribute to Heath Ledger's talent.

Wouldn't it be nice to re-post the review for those who haven't yet read it?

Posted by: Kolby at January 23, 2008 11:12 AM

this is sad. obviously, a young man loses his life. but damn if Heath Ledger wasn't turning in excellent, genuine performances in the last few years. He was amazing in I'm Not There, a film with many amazing performances. Just throwing my name in the pile of those who will miss him on screen, though the we dwarf those who knew him as a person, those who arguably will miss him so much more than I.

Posted by: b_g at January 23, 2008 11:21 AM

He wasn't in an Olsen's twins apartment. The apartment had nothing to do with either of the olsens, and according to NY police officials, there WEREN'T pills "strewn about his body" as so many crazed media junkies are rushing to claim, just a perscription pill bottle on his nightstand, and a couple other around the apartment. NOT the cartoonish image people are so ready to believe.

if anyone listened to credible news sources instead of jumping to conclusions about this poor guy because one person said so on a blog, maybe the memory of this talented actor's life can be preserved.

It's so disappointing to read that people are so ready to claim confidently that he he committed suicide and was a junkie without knowing anything really about the situation, and then claim to have loved him as a great actor and person.

No wonder the man chose to stay out of the retarded hollywood spotlight.

Posted by: Sarah at January 23, 2008 11:59 AM

Just another note to say I enjoyed most of Heath's work and when I saw him, thought to myself, "he's a good actor who will surely take off soon." Such a shame. I can't stop thinking of that poor little girl of his, who is the spitting image of him. RIP Heath.

Posted by: Helcat at January 23, 2008 12:16 PM

Too sudden. Too sad.

Posted by: Gaby at January 23, 2008 1:44 PM

rest in peace
God bless your child
I felt like we grew up together

Posted by: noella at January 23, 2008 2:00 PM

rest in peace
God bless your child
I felt like we grew up together

Posted by: noella at January 23, 2008 2:01 PM

I was a nanny in New York a few years ago and had a baby sign language class with him and his family. Very nice down to earth couple with a cute chubster of a baby. I'm surprised it hurts so much as I never really knew the guy, but I also respected his role in Brokeback Mountain, which wasn't played for melodrama or laughs. Even people I know who have problems with the whole "gay issue" thought he his role was tasteful and well done. Would have loved to see what else he did in his life.

Posted by: Leanne at January 23, 2008 2:14 PM

Normally I don't pay much attention to this kind of stuff, but yeah, this one feels a little different. Maybe it was because he wasn't always in the media as a druggie fuckup, or because he has been doing some genuinely great work, or maybe it's because he's my age . . . I don't know. I was shocked.
I remember being this upset when Gregory Hines died. I spent my life watching him dance.
I think that for celebrities, we spend so much time watching what they do, and that becomes tangled up in our own lives a bit. So that their faces or names can recall moments of our own, and then it's part of a larger collective history. I'm rambling. The point being, there's a reason that deaths of well-known people feel a little fucked up.

Posted by: Sharon at January 23, 2008 2:19 PM

I couldn't believe it when I was told.
My thoughts go out to his family and daughter.
I loved him in 10 things, brothers Grimm, Brokeback...He was always good in whatever he was in. It's going to be hard to watch TDK.

Posted by: CarpeJuglum at January 23, 2008 2:22 PM

Obviously tons of people have already written what I'm about to write, but for some reason it's important for me to get my own little tribute out there just in case, I don't know, he can sense how loved and appreciated he was. Which for someone who doesn't really believe in religion is a weird thing to say, but whatever.

As so many others have said, this was shocking for me and it really stung. There are so many other celebs out there that I wouldn't have been surprised to near this news about, but with him....at least for me it came out of nowhere. I thought it was a bad joke too, when I first heard, then my heart dropped. 10 Things I Hate About You is one of my favorite "teen" movies that isn't really a teen movie, and I've been a fan since then. I think he really would have gone places...amazing actor and always seemed like a great guy in general.

Posted by: largirl at January 23, 2008 2:51 PM

Heath Ledger was the only celebrity that I had that silly "what would I do if I actually SAW him in person" fantasy about.

He was an undoubtedly talented actor. It's such a travesty that he's gone.

Posted by: stacialue0330 at January 23, 2008 5:02 PM

I don't understand the trolls who keep popping up all over the place telling people how to feel. In this case trying to *correct* anyone who feels sad about Heath Ledger.
Why would the trolls be so threatened by other people's sadness? Do they feel crappy because they themselves never feel anything? That must be it, or they would probably not care what we wrote, and mind their own business.

Posted by: Loob at January 23, 2008 8:44 PM

ugh he was my age down to the month.. really makes you think about your own mortality

all the crazy media coverage... insane.. the paps sticking their cameras in his friends' faces... sickening

and i feel terrible for his little girl

Posted by: k at January 24, 2008 12:01 AM

'I'm having a River Phoenix moment here.... but never in a million years saw this coming.'

Oh Beckie - you took the words right out of my mouth. I heard the news yesterday morning in the UK. I was shocked. This is so sad...my condolences to his family. Especially Michelle and Matilda. He was way too young to die...

BTW - MB thank you for the information...just goes to show why it is so dangerous for the press to speculate so much at this point.

Matt - thank you for the YouTube links - 10 Things I Hate About You; I love that scene

Posted by: Neena at January 24, 2008 8:53 AM

My personal fav Heath Ledger movie was Ned Kelly. Naomi Watts and Goeffrey Rush were great as usual and even Orlando Bloom was pretty good, but HL stole the show.

Posted by: CarpePancakes! at January 25, 2008 4:10 AM

Though on a human level anyone's passing affects me, unless it's someone I knew I usually don't take it personally.

But this time I'm gutted.

I was sure I'd be watching Heath Ledger's movies at 50 telling everyone around me, 'see, I told you he was the greatest actor of this generation."

And now he's dead.

It's a horrible, unimaginable, heartbreaking tragedy. I remember watching him in a by-no-means spectacular The Lords of Dogtown and being blown away by his talent, which was spectacular in every way.

What an immeasurable loss to cinema. My heart and prayers go out to his family, and especially Michelle and his baby-daughter Matilda.

The Gods can be cruel.

Shine on beautiful Boy.

Posted by: uma at January 25, 2008 5:13 AM

whew. i thought i was the only one affected by this. i dont get sucked in the celebrity gossip scene. really could care less about it all. but when i found out i was in shock. as i read all these comments i got that lump in my throat. im not an emotional person but his passing has become very personal for me. maybe its his age (same as mine) his beautiful baby (i have several) & i feel almost, as noelle said, we grew up together.

what a loss, a shame & a waste. rest in peace heath, my deepest condolences are with his family, may his daughter carry his legacy with pride.

Posted by: neka at January 25, 2008 12:55 PM

I am one of those people who saw Brokeback Mountain and became a little bit obsessed. In fact, that's how I discovered Pajiba, when I stumbled on the wonderful review that was posted here. I have thought about Heath Ledger, for at least a minute, usually many more, every day since I first saw Brokeback in December 2005. With his death, I feel like two years of my life have been ripped away from me, and a true friend has been torn from my side. It is a senseless tragedy.

My deepest sympathies go to his family, friends, Michelle Williams, and most especially, his beautiful daughter, Matilda Rose.

Rest in peace, dear Heath.

Posted by: LHN at January 25, 2008 4:34 PM

About any other celebrity, I think I would feel silly admitting this, but I cried twice over his passing today. Once while watching old interview clips of him, once after reading the goodbyes his family wrote.

I can't really express why. I just know we will all miss you tremendously, Heath.

Posted by: Kate at January 25, 2008 10:22 PM

from one proud Australian to another, rest in peace, Heath.
too soon, too sad.

Posted by: Lauren at January 27, 2008 7:54 AM

from one proud Australian to another, rest in peace, Heath.
too soon, too sad.

Posted by: Lauren at January 27, 2008 7:54 AM

I was barely aware of this guy. And for the longest time I thought he was KEITH Ledger. Hm. Makes you think. Or rather, it doesn't.

Get over it. His family must be embarrassed and sickened by all the shameless superficial outpouring of "grief" from scandal-jockeys and celebrity-gossip-addicts.

Every death is a tragedy to someone, but not to the world at large.

Posted by: Mike at January 27, 2008 2:01 PM

I was saddened, though not totally surprised. When a man breaks off with the mother of his child, that is a definite step down.

He was a good actor (we can't afford to lose any of those), but must admit I wasn't a fan. Whatever role he played, he seemed to be sulking about something (worst example -- A Knight's Tale.) What, I'll never know.

On the other hand, DDL liked him, and you can't get a higher recommendation than that. I'll probably give his films another chance.

Posted by: Janis at January 29, 2008 6:20 AM