Another year, another star has its shining light abruptly put out.
It is considered tragic and shocking loss for the entertainment industry as Aussie actor Heath Ledger reportedly passed away. He was only 28.
Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner’s office in New York confirmed that an autopsy would take place immediately.
Heath’s dad Kim Ledger together with mum Sally and sister Kate revealed that the late actor was “down-to-earth, generous, kindhearted [and] life-loving“.
“We, Heath’s family, confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda” Mum Kim Ledger announced with a help from a prepared statement.
“He was found peacefully asleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at … 3.30pm, US time.â€
“Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his life, but few have had the pleasure of truly knowing him.“
“Please now respect our family’s need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately.“
Positive compliments and heartfelt tributes unrelenting pour in for Heath Ledger, as well as a notable approval from the legendary Australian actor Charles ‘Bud’ Tingwell, one of Heath’s oldest co-star.
Tingwell worked with Ledger on Ned Kelly, related Leila McKinnon from A Current Affair that he only had fond memories of the actor.
“He was a marvelous example to all young actors out there,” Tingwell narrated.
“You’re never quite sure when you’re an elderly actor who people are going to accept you but he was just marvelous.”
Tingwell said “could be a bit rude” to the press but then shared some noteworthy honor he’d heard from another movie idol.
“He’s got to be right up there … somebody told me that Michael Caine said one of his recent roles — I think it was as The Joker in Batman — was one of the greatest performances he’s ever seen on screen,” he related .
“That’s not bad, is it?”
Heath Ledger was reportedly suffering from pneumonia when he died, according to the news.
His body was found naked and unconscious on a bed at Broome St., SoHo apartment by a housekeeper and a masseuse at 3.31pm EST. Authorities also determined that sleeping pills were present near the actor’s body.
More than 200 onlookers and about 70 television cameramen and photographers witnessed the sad scene when Heath’s body was removed from the building on a stretcher in a body bag.
An official who checked the bathroom found other prescription medications, also told The Times that there are no illegal drugs present in the apartment.
However, bottles of Diazempam and Alprazolam, both anti-anxiety drugs were reported to have been present at the apartment.
Paramedics fruitlessly tried to resuscitate the actor when they found him in full cardiac arrest, pronounced him dead at the scene.
Ledger’s ex-fiancée and mum of his daughter Matilda was reportedly “devastated†by the news. While fellow Aussie actress and ex lover Naomi Watts whom Ledger dated between 2002 and 2004, described to have collapsed in tears when she learned of his death at the Sundance Film Festival
A Sad Day Indeed for the Film Industry
Emile Sherman, a producer who worked with Heath Ledger on Candy (an Australian film) reminisced that the actor had a “sensitive, artistic soul“.
“I received calls and e-mail and texts from a large number of people and that’s how I found out. The word got around very quickly,” Mr Sherman said.
“I was in disbelief. I haven’t spoken to Heath for a while, but we were planning on catching up via e-mail soon.â€
“For someone of his age to die is a huge tragedy, it’s a huge tragedy for the Australian Film Industry and the International Film Industry.”
Fellow Australian and actor Nicole Kidman described Ledger’s death as “a terrible tragedy†“My heart goes out to his family,” she added.
Publicist for Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe, Wendy Day, appears to be unaware of Ledger’s death when contacted by the reporters.
“It’s very sad news. Oh my God, that’s very sad.”
Robert Zordan, Heath Ledger’s former school principal, related that Ledger was “a humble and loyal friend to his schoolmatesâ€
“One of the great things about him as a person, was that with all the stardom and with all the lights that were focused on him, it was with a degree of humility and loyalty that he remained very, very closely in touch with many of his peers from his particular year group,” The principal told the reporters.
“I know for example that when his friends from school days were in New York he would be a very, very generous and loyal host, often putting them up in his own home.â€
Heath’s Last…
Ledger admitted to “stressing out a little too much” on the set of The Dark Knight.in a latest interview Conducted by a New York paper just two months back
The actor told the reporters that he took the drug Ambien to aid him doze off since he was sleeping an average of two hours a night
Eerily he also confessed that he felt “good about dying“.
Ledger was noticeably become extremely touchy when asked about his two-year-old daughter, Matilda. while promoting his latest film I’m Not There,
“You also look at death differently,” a contemplative Ledger told a reporter in Cleveland
“It’s like a catch-22â€.
“I feel good about dying now because I feel I’m alive in her.â€
“But at the same hand, you don’t want to die because you want to be around for the rest of her life.“
Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams (Ledger’s ex-fiancée and Matilda’s mother) parted ways last year.
At age 16, he dropped out of school, transferred from Perth to Sydney and then exported to Los Angeles to chase his dream in acting and modeling.
His first Academy Award nod was from his breakthrough performance in Brokeback Mountain.
He just finished production and stars as the Joker in the forthcoming Batman movie, The Dark Knight.
Heath Ledger had lately been intimately linked to Australian model Gemma Ward.
