Recent Event Highlights: dating Gemma Ward, following Gemma Ward, Toronto Film Festival , Telluride Film Festival, and 6 more...
Created by fb*7951846 on Jan 24, 2008
Last updated: 03/12/10 at 04:08 AM
Ledger is found dead in his Manhattan apartment. A bottle of sleeping pills is found on the nightstand and he is reported to have been suffering from pneumonia. The media swirls with rumors of previous drug abuse problems. Officials declare the death a probable accidental overdose rather than foul play or suicide, though an investigation is still ongoing. Ledger's parents and sister learn of his death while listening to the radio. His father reads the following statement: "We, Heath's family, confirm the very tragic, untimely and accidental passing of our dearly loved son, brother and doting father of Matilda, who was found in a peaceful sleep in his New York apartment by his housekeeper at 3:30pm. We would like to thank our friends and everyone around the world for their kind wishes at this time. Heath has touched so many people on so many different levels during his short life, but few had the pleasure to truly know him. He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and unselfish individual who was an extreme inspiration to many. Please now respect our family's need to grieve and come to terms with our loss privately."
The Daily Telegraph reports that Ledger is dating Gemma Ward. The pair are both from Perth, Australia and the report states that they spent the New Year's holidays there together while visiting their respective families.
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
"I'm Not There" opens in limited release in the United States.
Heath Ledger is one of 6 actors portraying Bob Dylan.
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
Ledger tells the New York Times that his version of the Joker is a "psychopathic, mass murdering, schizophrenic clown with zero empathy". He says he lived alone in a hotel room for a month in order to prepare for the role and that his Joker is inspired in part by Sid Vicious and A Clockwork Orange.
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
The New York Post reports that Ledger has been following Australian supermodel Gemma Ward around New York, with an insider saying: "He somehow finds out where she is going to be and then miraculously shows up to the parties or bars where she is."
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
I'm Not There is shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
Michelle Williams' father Larry tells the Sydney Daily Telegraph that his daughter and Ledger have split, confirming the US Weekly report. He says: "We've known about their troubles for a while but it's always a very difficult thing in life when these things happen. I know Heath and Michelle still care about each other deeply and are very committed to being great parents to their daughter. They are both very talented artists and they live with their hearts. I feel tremendously for her and for him and hope they will find what they want in life. I have a great respect for Heath and I know he cares tremendously for Michelle."
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
Sept. 3, 2007
At a news conference at the Venice Film Festival promoting I'm Not There, Ledger speaks about his "obsession" with English singer/songwriter Nick Drake, whom he calls "a very mysterious figure." Drake committed suicide in 1974 at the age of 26 by overdosing on antidepressants. Ledger says: "I was obsessed with his story and his music and I pursued it for a while and still have hopes to kind of tell his story one day."
Unbeknownst to many, Ledger had recently shot and edited a music video for Nick Drake's song, "Black Dog." The song took its name from Winston Churchill's name for his own depression. It was the last song Drake recorded before committing suicide. At the end of the video, Ledger portrays himself committing suicide by drowning in a bathtub.
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
"I'm Not There" premieres at the 34th Telluride Film Festival.
http://www.twoop.com/people/heath_ledger.html
Born Heathcliff Andrew Ledger in Perth, Australia to Sally and Kim Ledger. He is named after the character in Wuthering Heights.

