Remembering Heath Ledger
This morning, the first thing that I did after I dragged myself out of bed was to log onto my computer and find out which films and actors were nominated for Academy Awards this year … then I scanned the news reports looking to see if Heath Ledger got nominated for his role in The Dark Knight (which he was). Then … I sadly remembered that it was one year ago today that we learned the horrible news that Heath had unexpectedly passed away. I cannot believe that it’s been an year already … it doesn’t seem like that much time has passed since Heath’s death. I still recall the shock I felt at the news … something about his passing just touched so many people in a very surprising and profound way. This past summer’s release of The Dark Knight just drove home the point that the world lost an amazing actor in Heath Ledger. So while I’m very happy that he got his Academy nomination, I’m still very sad that he is no longer with us:
On Thursday, while comic book fans (and movie fans in general) across the globe celebrated Heath Ledger’s inevitable — and well-deserved — Best Supporting Actor nomination for “The Dark Knight,” January 22 also holds a more somber place in film history. One year before, to the day, news broke that Heath Ledger had tragically died of what would later be deemed as an accidental prescription-drug overdose. Usually — unless you’re a hard-core film buff — Academy Awards season means nothing except anticipation for outrageous red-carpet fashions or office pools featuring films that most of us haven’t even seen yet. But this year’s announcements had even casual moviegoers glued to TV sets and Internet streams, waiting to hear Ledger’s name called for a role that the actor clearly gave his all to. “It was an exhausting process,” Ledger explained to MTV News in November 2007. “I actually had quite a bit of time off between scenes — weeks sometimes. But it was required because whenever I was working, it exhausted me to the bone. At the end of the day, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t talk. I was absolutely wrecked. If I had to do that every day, I couldn’t have done what I did.” And that performance came through. After a posthumous win at this year’s Golden Globes, Ledger now stands as the arguable frontrunner against Philip Seymour Hoffman, Josh Brolin, Robert Downey Jr. and Michael Shannon. And it’s nearly impossible to find a story about the record-breaking, critically acclaimed “Dark Knight” in which Ledger’s name isn’t mentioned as the stand-out feature of the film. “Heath has given an incredible performance, a real definition of the character that I think will be incredibly memorable for years to come,” co-star Christian Bale of Ledger’s work as the Joker. “I want to do nothing but celebrate his work.” Granted, all of the Oscar nominees deserve praise for their efforts in their given categories, but it’s clear that Hollywood — and the film world in general — will be buzzing about Ledger in the weeks leading up to the February 22 ceremony. Win or lose — a gifted actor with years of potential still ahead of him was taken from us far too early.
I find it very curious that Heath and Philip Seymour Hoffman are, once again, going head to head for the Academy Award. As you may recall, they faced off against one another in the Best Actor category back in 2007 (Heath for his work in Brokeback Mountain, Philip for his work in Capote). Back then, Philip went home with the prize … this year, my money’s on Heath. The saddest thing about Heath’s death, at least for us fans, is that we will only get to see him in one more film (The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus — the film he was working on when he died) … and then never again. Fans have been leaving flowers in front of the building where Heath died on mark this sad anniversary:
I cannot imagine the pain that his family must still be feeling just a short year after his death. While they must be appreciative, I’m sure all of these accolades are small comfort when compared to his passing. I, for one, still vividly remember and mourn his loss. I want him to win the Oscar. But, win or lose, I will still always remember him and cherish his work.
[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]
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January 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
RIP Heath. We miss you.
January 22nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Heath Ledger will always be my favorite actor. His death is the only celebrity death that ever had any effect on me. I’m still sad about it. When I saw “The Dark Knight,” I was blown away. We really did lose one of the greatest talents of our generation. I hope he wins The Oscar. I know I’ll cry if he does. He will be missed.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:04 pm
Is that ^ a Shephard Fairey design?
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I was really happy to see that you remembered and took time out to report on Heath Ledger. He was such an amazing actor, father and man. He is truly missed by all of his fans that are truly saddened by the fact that we will never see all of the magic that he could have brought to the screen. My heart goes out to his family for their loss. I am sure this is a very painful day for them :(
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
i have to agree w/ Katie – Heath’s death is the only celebrity death that ever had any effect on me as well. He was awesomely wicked in the Dark Knight. Just when we were getting to see some of his best….he leaves us. RIP Heath. & thank you Trent for remembering & posting this.
January 22nd, 2009 at 1:56 pm
R.I.P. Heath!
And you are so right about how his death seemed to affect a lot of people in a “very surprising and profound way”. From reading message boards and speaking to friends it really affected us all, strange because we didnt even know him. He was a great talent, and had so much potential at becoming an acting legend, although I think he has already become a legend for his portrayal as The Joker. “10 Things I Hate About You” was my first ‘teen’ movie, my first movie obsession, and now The Dark Knight is up high on my list of favourite films. I am sure he will get the award, I certainly hope so anyway!
January 22nd, 2009 at 2:15 pm
I adore that picture!
Thanks for posting, it wouldnt have been the same without a PITNB memorial post, this is where I first read about his death, actually.
January 22nd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
yah I know It just brakes my heart everytime I think about Heath and johns death my god bless him he was such. Wonderful actor he really deserves that oscar may he rest in peace I love u heath
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:12 pm
God, I just read this and began to tear up. I remember exactly sitting in my room in my old apartment listening to the radio and hearing the news and my jaw dropping. I thought it was a joke and then I ran to my television set and it was all over the news. I literally sat there saying “Oh my God,” for ten minutes with a hand over my mouth.
I couldn’t wrap my mind around it for the next couple of weeks. It’s strange not knowing someone and having their death touch you that deeply. I had been a fan since his Roar days and if any of you get the chance to see Two Hands, the film he did right before he came to the US to do 10 Things, please do so. His acting and his acting choices were nothing short of incredible and inspiring. There was and is no one like him and for that alone I am deeply saddened.
As heartbroken as I still am, I know it is nowhere near the pain his family is feeling because he was so beloved to them. So all of my thoughts and prayers go out to his family, Michelle, and their precious daughter Matilda Rose.
RIP and we love you Heath.
January 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
My best friend told me about his death while I was in a car on the way to my grandfather’s funeral. I don’t know why she thought that was appropriate.
Anyway, Heath definitely deserves the Oscar, although I’m glad RDJ was also nominated for Tropic Thunder. They both deserve the recognition. Hope Matilda gets to keep this one too.
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:42 pm
God. I cant believe its been a year already. I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news. I cant believe that he’s gone. RIP. :(
January 22nd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
Health Ledger was a DRUG ADDICT!!! His death was unfortunate but it was NOT AN ACCIDENT!!! This is what hapens to drug addicts that do not treat their disease. People should stop glorifying him and instead use his death as a tool to promote drug awareness.
January 22nd, 2009 at 6:47 pm
He died due to an overdose of prescription drugs that were improperly prescribed. If I remember correctly, he didn’t take too much of one particular drug, it was the combination that killed him.
Also, do you have any idea how easy it is to overdose on some medications? Sleeping pills are a great example. You build up a tolerance so that they don’t put you to sleep, but you’re pretty effed up on them, and take another without realising you shouldn’t.
It’s not like the guy was shooting heroin, sheesh. AND even if he was, it’s still an incredibly disrespectful thing to say to people who are still grieving.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
I don’t think people understand the term ‘accident’. He didn’t mean to die, his intent was not to end his life, hence it was an accident. Im on prescription medication, It would be easy for someone to say “Oh you have a headache? Try this, no its cool its like Tylenol” and Id end up dead.
He wasn’t shooting heroin in a back ally. He was a good actor, and he deserves praise. Its like saying Elvis doesn’t deserve his title because he died of the exact same causes.
I think its sad to see people who want to go against the grain and not like the Dark Knight, but feel they have to go the extra mile and insult Heath Ledger’s personal life and death.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:14 pm
There is a tribute today in Perth city for Heath, i might run down on my lunch break and check it out. His death affected me, its strange to explain why. I guess its the fact that he got out of Perth and made something of himself, i wish i could do the same one day, Perth is the city of boredom.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I can’t believe it’s been a year. I don’t know why his death affected me so much, but it did. He definitely deserves the Oscar, he was a great actor, and was amazing as the Joker. RIP Heath!
January 22nd, 2009 at 9:19 pm
I remember scanning my computer early that morning a year ago, and on the front page of MSN was a red bar with the news. I still can’t stand that stupid red bar.
Heath Ledger was such a tremendous actor, and like others here, I was so surprised at my reaction. I felt like my heart stopped when I read the headline. He’s flying with the angels now, R.I.P. Heath.
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:01 pm
I have to agree with Katie. Usually celeb deaths aren’t that big deal to me, but for some reason his really did affect me. He was a wonderful actor and seeing Matilda makes me sad, but I know that she has her Mom and other family.
RIP HEATH!
February 17th, 2009 at 3:17 am
I love you forever, we can meet next life. RIP HEATH