Note: This story will remain on the top of /Film for the next day.
Actor Heath Ledger, who plays the Joker in this summer’s The Dark 
Knight, died today at around 3:30 p.m. EST. Ledger was reportedly found naked in bed in a state of cardiac arrest by a housekeeper who promptly called 911. He was found in a Manhattan apartment, in SoHo; police formerly reported that Mary-Kate Olsen was the owner of the apartment, however this info has been proven incorrect. Police do not suspect foul play. Two bottles of sleeping pills, one prescription and one over-the-counter, were found near the body and some reports had them scattered around the room. Ledger has one child, a 2-year-old daughter, Matilda Rose, with his wife the actress Michelle Williams. Ledger and Williams are said to have still been separated at the time of his death. An autopsy is now scheduled for Wednesday.
In 2006, Ledger was nominated for Best Actor for his performance in Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain. He was currently working on The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, his second film under the direction of Terry Gilliam.
R.I.P.
UPDATE: In an interview published in the NY Times in November, Ledger is attributed with a few alarming quotes and behavioral tics that could be interpreted as warning signs for severe distress and anxiety…
….as often happens when he throws himself into a part, he is not sleeping much.
“Last week I probably slept an average of two hours a night,” he said. “I couldn’t stop thinking. My body was exhausted, and my mind was still going.” One night he took an Ambien, which failed to work. He took a second one and fell into a stupor, only to wake up an hour later, his mind still racing.
Even as he spoke, Mr. Ledger was hard-pressed to keep still. He got up and poured more coffee. He stepped outside into the courtyard and smoked a cigarette. He shook his hair out from under its hood, put a rubber band around it, took out the rubber band, put on a hat, took off the hat, put the hood back up. He went outside and had another cigarette. Polite and charming, he nonetheless gave off the sense that the last thing he wanted to do was delve deep into himself for public consumption. “It can be a little distressing to have to overintellectualize yourself,” is how he put it, a little apologetically.
Also, in the following video interview in correlation with his press days for I’m Not There, he seems disoriented and possibly under the influence. Click here to view.
UPDATE 2: An NYPD spokesman now reports that there was no “obvious indication of suicide.” The pills and pill bottles found at the scene were reportedly sleeping pills, one a prescription medication, the other over-the-counter.
Update 3: Unfortunate news comes this Wednesday that police also found a 20-note with narcotic residue and several drug packets in the bedroom where Ledger was found. In the following article, Jack Nicholson is said to have told a reporter on Tuesday that he had recently “warned” Ledger.
Update 4:Â Previous reports by CBS News that drug packets were found along with a 20-note with traces of narcotic residue in the apartment at the time of Ledger’s death are now proven to be false. A rolled-up 20-note was found but tests for narcotics have come back negative. Really careless reporting by the mainstream media on this story, eh? You may remember that the New York Times first reported (rather quickly) that it was Mary-Kate Olsen’s apartment, also false.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
….. :(
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
wow i can’t believe this, he was such a great actor, wow such a young age…… he will be greatly missed.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I interviewed him at venice film festival for Casanova. He seemed shy but very smart to me. I didn’t consider him a talented actor, but then after Brokeback Mountain I thought he was great. Now Dark Knight will have a different meaning.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Thats crazy and sucky. Rest in peace Heath. :(
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
DID it GET to him the role?? maybe it actually DRove Him over The edge?
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Heavy stuff.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Uncool.
He was a great actor. He will be missed by many.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:18 pm
What a fuckin waste, so sad words can’t even desribe it.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:19 pm
wait did they even finish shooting the Dark Knight?
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:22 pm
RIP :(
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Static212
Yeah they finished awhile ago, it’s now in post-production.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
Drugs….Stay away from the drugs.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
What the hell?! The young women like Spears, Lohan end up addicted and in rehab and we never hear the end of it. The young men like Ledger and Renfro end up DEAD and it’s a shock since no one follows THEM around taking photos night and day. What is going on?!
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:25 pm
…
DAMN
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
@Brody et al
Ledger’s filming on The Dark Knight had been completed for some time.
Sad news.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
This is ridonkculous. He dies at 3:26 TODAY … and I - some random schmo on the internet - learn this at 5:15. Does his family even know? Is he even cold yet? Is anyone else creeped out that news travels so, so fast?
More seriously, this blows. 28 is too young to die.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:28 pm
What the fuck?! This is shocking. Haven’t seen much of his work, but like everyone, was amazed by dark knight trailer. That is gonna be a strange film to see now….pretty tragic.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I hope he is absolutely amazing in The Dark Knight.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Even stranger than seeing Dark Knight will be if they still put out action figures for the film.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
this is too fucking sad man…
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:34 pm
It will be strange to see him in the dark knight now, just like when brandon lee died during the crow it was weird to see him in that movie.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
RIP sir.
Such sad news.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:36 pm
R.I.P Heath.
You’ll always be the JOKER to me. :(
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
OhMyGod
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Renfro… now Ledger… wtf?! I hear these things come in 3s… I truly hope not. RIP
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I dont know what to say. I dont know why Im writing anything at all. Rest in Peace Mr. Ledger. Courage Mrs. Ledger, Courage little Ledger. Peace and Love. Why so serious is no longer a question, and it makes me feel dirty and sad.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Awful. Seemed like he could have done great things. They were still filming the new Terry Gilliam as well which I thought looked really interesting. At least he can be remembered through all his movies.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Rest in Peace
Well,at Least We Know what will be waiting us as the opening Scene of TDK”Dedicated to Heath Ledger”
like this Year’s Waitress,when you see the Dark Knight,there will be a Side Message”Life is Piece of Shit”
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
So horribly sad. My heart goes out to his family.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:51 pm
weird that he was in mary kate’s apartment. and naked. and scattered sleeping pills like he wanted them to know right away how he died. and he had a scheduled massage so they would find him right away so he wouldn’t decompose. it’s like this was very planned out on his part and just wanted it to be done quickly without any mess. but why?
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
The curse of Gilliam.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I don’t believe it. He’s probably in intesive care or something. Shit, they discovered he was “dead” like not even three hours ago. I won’t believe it until tomorrow or some official report. I refuse to listen to some gossip website.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:54 pm
If batman doesnt come out cause of this…I’ll be very upset. RIP thought Heath, loved ya man.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
i dont think ‘why so serious’ is dirty at all. Reminds me to have fun & enjoy things. Dammit this is sad.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Dude could act.
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
i’m stunned
this is james dean all over again :(
January 22nd, 2008 at 3:58 pm
OMG! WHAT THE FUCK??!
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I know it is an ass-holish remark, but at least they finished shooting the dark knight before he died. maybe it will get him an oscar
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
God knows his career was going to go nowhere but up after The Dark Knight. What a tragedy. RIP Heath - not many people liked you too much, but you’ll change their minds after this summer’s release.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Sucks.
RIP my friend.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Wow, what a shock. I was really looking forward to the next 10 years of movies with him in it. Wonder if he was friends with Brad Renfro?
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Its like when The Crow (Lee) died… man, picture seeing Dark Knight thinking he’s.. dead..
Surreal..
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:07 pm
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!That’s so sad.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
i can’t believe it, this is fucking heartbreaking
and shut up with the gilliam curse already, that’s bollocks.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
What a terrible shock to wake to this news this morning (9 am here).
I always thought him a brilliant actor. I have been watching him since he did a few episodes on a local tv soap and earlier Austalian independant flicks. Check out “Two Hands” if you havn’t already seen it, the film also has another young aussie talent that has since also been more widely recognized.
My sympathy goes out to family and close friends - having known and lived though a similar tragedy - i know they must been in a world of pain right now.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
This is simply horrible news. To many young flames burning out way to early, a lifetime ahead of them. Painfully reminds me of River Phoenix. Sad. My thoughts go out to his family and young daughter.
And to Terry Gilliam, who has certainly had more than his fair share of bad news.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
TMZ is saying that he was NOT in Mary Kate’s apartment
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:22 pm
very sad. poor little girl left behind. i followed his work from about ” A nights tale ” and saw something in him that shouted STAR.But never saw this coming. I feel really gutted. R I P dude and thanks for the entertainment.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
gosh it so sad.
It’s a sad day for australians. He was one of our finest actors ever.
He will be missed.
:(
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
sad, sad, sad, really sad
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Man. Aside from this being terribly sad, what a huge disappointment this is. To be completely selfish, I was really looking forward to seeing/hearing Ledger talk about his inspiration for playing the Joker, what its like to work with Nolan and Bale, and of course, seeing the movie. How can I look forward to the movie now? It just won’t be the same knowing that this was his last (completed) film. Not to mention, marketing the movie in an appealing way is now going to be a complete nightmare.
Fuck. This movie would have been so much fun to watch. Now…it’ll just be depressing. Seeing such a talented young actor reinvent the world’s most revered villian of all time, only to be thinking in the back of our heads during every scene he steals….”If only he were still alive…”
Call me insensitive…call me selfish…but this sucks. I was really looking forward to seeing all the glowing press, raving reviews, etc. for his performance as the joker…especially from all the fanboys who doubted him. Now it’ll just seem…”passé.
RIP Ledger. You were good. Maybe too good.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:36 pm
It’s such a shame. He was only 28 and has already proven to be an actor with a lot of potential. RIP.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
I’m a huge fan of Batman… I’m in shock. I hope he rest in peace.
January 22nd, 2008 at 4:50 pm
@Emmarose
Heath wasn’t in Mary-Kate apartment …it was first reported she owned the apartment he died in, but that is incorrect.
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:00 pm
This news is so shocking and sad. He had tremendous charisma on screen, no matter the role. He was a true star and will be much missed.
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Wasn’t Brandon Lee also 28 when he died? Tis sad that these actors died at such a young age before the movie that could have been the breakthrough of their careers opened in theaters. And they were both playing twisted roles with similar makeup.
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
very sad, RIP heath
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:16 pm
This is really sad. Poeple don’t seem to notice, but I think he proved to be a very talented and promissing actor in Monster’s Ball, where he gave a pretty hartbreaking performance. And I consider he was a pretty solid lead in Four Feathers. It’s a shame.
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
may God be with you and your family, you will be dearly missed , but your film LEGACY will live forever R.I.P. heath… Que Dios te Bendiga- Siempre!!!
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
my stomach hurts right now, he was and still is top on my list of great actors.
he was doing so well, its so unexpected
RIP
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:35 pm
RIP Heath.:’(
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Did anyone notice how in that youtube video, he said something about how the Joker was the most fun he’d ever had, and probably will ever have, on a film?
That almost made me cry.
January 22nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
wow …………
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Shocked and saddened
Rest in Peace
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:23 pm
“weird that he was in mary kate’s apartment. and naked. and scattered sleeping pills like he wanted them to know right away how he died. and he had a scheduled massage so they would find him right away so he wouldn’t decompose. it’s like this was very planned out on his part and just wanted it to be done quickly without any mess. but why?”
You should seriously talk to the NYCPD about this.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
An actor who was undoubtedly on the verge of being one of the best of his generation. R.I.P.
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:52 pm
I think the nypd can figure these things out. :roll:
January 22nd, 2008 at 6:57 pm
I met him several different times when I lived in Hollywood, he was such a cool guy. I cried when I heard the news today. That is too fucken sad. Life really is short and precious. Stay away from pills! and hard drugs!
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
man RIP Heath
i dont know wut these other guys are talking about but you were an amazing actor
28 is to young for someone to die
watching dark knight will have another meaning
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:20 pm
Be nice if he gets at least nominated for a supporting oscar next year. Seems like he nailed this joker role.
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Ah, yeah……that’s right the academy looks down on these types of films. Ah well
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I am still in disbelief…im a 23 year old male whos last 5 months have been obsessivley spent researching Heath Ledger and his legendary performance from the Dark Knight…Im not the only one, i know theres millions out there that type Slashfilm.com into their browser every chance they get to see if they can get another new glimse of Heath in Joker makeup…Its the first time ive cried in i dont know how long…The Joker killed Heath Ledger…no real human should carry the burden of that character, actors become the character they are portraying and its often hard to shake the characters habits once filming is done…i know Heath payed the ultimate price for our fan boy dreams…for all u people that said Heath would make a terrible Joker….F*CK YOU…this man gave his life for this part….
STRANGEST THING HAPPENED TODAY THOUGH….I ORDERED THE FIRST PRINTING OF THE KILLING JOKE BY ALAN MOORE AND IT WASNT SUPPOSE TO COME UNTILL LIKE FEBRUARY…IF F*CKING SHOWED UP TODAY!!!…CRAZY RIGHT…THE SAME BOOK HANDED TO LEDGER FOR THE JOKER PART…JUST A TERRIBLE DAY FOR THE WORLD THAT WE LOST SUCH A TALENTED ALL TIME GREAT GOOD MAN…MY CONDOLENCES TO THE LEDGER FAMILY…WE ALL SHARE YOUR TEARS…
January 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 pm
With tears dropping… all I can think is “Why So Saddly?”
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:01 pm
This is so sad, and un-expected. He was only 28.
We only just got over losing Brad Renfro last week at 25, now this…
Well, at least Heath & Brad both left children behind. Heath a 2 year old girl, and Brad a 4 year old boy.
As those 2 kids grow up, you know that they are going to be continually asked about, and reminded that their Fathers died a week apart.
Who know, maybe Brad’s Son will marry Heath’s Daughter…
Carry on the acting legacy…
Goodby Heath. “A Knights Tale” was my favorite of your films.
RIP..
January 22nd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
AND ONE MORE THING….THIS MAN HAS BEEN A HUGE PART OF MY LIFE FOR 5 MONTHS….HIS JOKER IS MY LAPTOP BACKROUND…MY BLACKBERRY BACKROUND…THE GUYS PICTURE FILL MY PICTURE FOLDERS…ITS INSANE…THE DARK KNIGHT WILL BE HIS FINEST HOUR…I STILL JUST CANNOT BELIEVE IT…I WISH SO HARD IT IS SOME SORT OF CRULE JOKER PRATICAL JOKE THATS GONE TOO FAR…BUT WE ALL KNOW ITS NOT…I JUST KNOW THAT THE DARK KNIGHT WILL BE A UNBELIEVABLE WORLD WIDE EVENT…AS IF EVERYONE ON THIS SITE DIDNT ALREADY KNOW THE FILM WILL BE A MUST SEE…NOW THE WORLD WILL SEE THE GENIOUS OF LEDGER NOLAN AND BALE…RIP…ALL EYES ON THE DARK KNIGHT…
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 pm
RIP
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Truly a tragic event. Heath Ledger was an amazingly talented young actor whose death is felt by many members of his generation, including me. He will win awards posthumously for his role as the Joker in the new Dark Knight movie. Unfortunately, there will be no sequel for his character though. Why so serious? This is why.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:28 pm
This sucks.
Although, I can’t help but think that this would be an AMAZING part of marketing for The Dark Knight.
Just imagine.
He’s dead and all these sites with The Joker and stuff come up.
Or even commercials with just the laugh.
Then eventually a whole new series of adds and stuff with The Joker, using Ledger’s ‘death’ to gain even more buzz.
lol
Something like:
“You thought I was gone? You don’t even know the half of it. HAHAHAHAHA”
Or even just a commercial all like “RIP Heath Ledger.” and then it gets all vandalized and crap and The Joker’s voice comes up saying “Why so serious?” all evil like.
I should get into marketing.
R.I.P.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
@Anthony
Cause that worked soooo well for the WWE…..
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Anthony, Heath Ledger died, not The Joker, you are a douche.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
@Anthony
That is a stupid and disrespectful idea.
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
R.I.P. Heath…
You will be missed by one and all…
January 22nd, 2008 at 10:40 pm
@ anthony: please don’t post on this issue anymore.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 am
whoever wrote this was wrong. Michelle Williams was only his fiancee, not wife. they broke it off last september.
besides that, RIP Heath, and my sympathy goes out to his family,his friends,and especially his young daughter, Matilda.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:02 am
you’ll be missed, r.i.p
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:08 am
this is sad. me and my roommates pinned a burned joker card to our front door with the words “why so serious?” written on it in ledger’s memory. more people should do this, but only out of respect for him. the dark knight will be brilliant, and heath ledger’s performance will undoubtedly be the reason for its success.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:25 am
As I got to work this morning, my colleague told me that he died.
I’m shocked.
Really shocked, I thought it might be a joke. Unfortunately it was not.
But no one should make a joke about Heath, he was a great actor, a good man (I think so, I’ve never heard of him beating his wife or something).
Why he did it, why he died, is unimportant to me.
I’m sad.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:25 am
I doubt it was intentional drug abuse. From the inteviews it seems like he just wanted a good nights sleep and over did it by accident. So sad.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:26 am
Everyone has already said it, but it is so sad to have lost someone so brilliant.
January 23rd, 2008 at 12:27 am
This might also be just a coincidence but earlier today I was thinking about Lords of Dogtown and that I wanted to watch it again. I couldn’t find the DVD in my collection so I started looking all over my room for it, I looked everywhere for it, in the closet, under my bed, in my playstation games. Then I found it sitting out of view on top of the TV. I was just about to go put it on, but I decided to look at the internet for a bit, my home page is videoeta dot com and it said UPDATE Heath Ledger found dead in New York. I was so shocked and just started to cry. Anyway I’m going to go watch Lords of Dogtown now. I have a lasting image of Heath in my mind from the last time I saw him, he will be dearly missed.
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 am
is this just a hoax?
he’s filming Terry Gilliams THE IMAGINARIUM OF DR. PARNASSUS right now.. and is scheduled for a 2009 release
how long does filming normally take? POSSIBLY 14 months at the VERY MOST? mostly just 9 months nonstop? so it should be out, (even AFTER post production) by the end of 2008?
was this planned the whole time so that they can postpone filming just for this possible stunt until july?
the story of his death changes a little here and there… and i know that has basically nothing to do with truth or biases and news travesl differently, but like everyone else is saying, its a bit odd… to say the least
is it a bit strange that this was reported in the times before a littel gossip site??
now from http://www.news.com.au/:
“Cate Blanchett, Mel Gibson, Nicole Kidman, and Aidan Young lined up to express their shock and sorrow. “…
…….
“Mel Gibson was the first choice to play Batman, but he was already committed to Lethal Weapon 2.”
-http://www.notstarring.com/actors/gibson-mel
nicole kidman was in batman forever..
????
and the main thing… posted monday jauary 14th from batmanonfilm.com:
“It looks as if the TDK viral campaign may be about to get going again. “Vlkers5″ — who received the Chicago cake from The Joker — got the following text message from The Ace of Knaves: “You still out there clown? Reply and let me know.” Our guy is going to keep us informed, but be looking for some new viral stunts.
UPDATE: A new text from “The Joker”: “”It makes me smile to see you’re one of the serious ones, clown. Now…time to be patient. I’ll be in touch….”
i may sound crazy… i realize this and in truth i dont really want to think like this because of the fact that im just getting my hopes up just to be disappointed when its completely realize that hes gone from seeing autopsy report or what have you… but maybe ill just be saying
“i told you so…”
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:40 am
To the above guy..
if this was a publicity stunt, A LOT of people would lose respect for not only Heath, but the WB and TDK crew…
I think it’s serious man, he’s gone :/
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:43 am
Well there goes the joker in batman 3 . . .
January 23rd, 2008 at 5:48 am
A real shame, after landing the part of the joker I’m pretty sure that he would have gone onto be a huge actor of our time. Definatly one fo the finest actors to come out of Austrailer and may he Rest In Peace!!!
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:42 am
This is exactly why I never watch the news, it’s fucking depressing. RIP friend. You will be missed.
January 23rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
Fox News says he’s gone, then HE’S GONE.. no matter what.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:46 am
This is so crazy for me, because I was an extra for The Dark Knight, and saw Heath Ledger quite a few times on the set not five months ago.
I’m glad he finished the film though. This will be the film he is remembered for.
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Honor Heath Ledger, put TDK prologue online in HD!
To read and maybe sign in the Online Petition, visit the link below:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/TDKprologueinHD
Thanks for your attention and pacience!
R.I.P. in the arms of The Lord, dear Heath…
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
what if its fake, now that would be a killing joke (like the comic)
Would be a sick promotion stunt…
A joke like the joker makes them.
January 23rd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
A couple of the posters need to have long conversations with their shrinks.
To the rest, the best way to remember him is to take another look at his movies and rediscover this talented young man.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I figured it was probably drug related. That is really sad to hear. He had so much potential as an actor. It’s too bad no one noticed his problem sooner and tried to help him.
@Kode
Just because Fox news says something it’s the truth? That is a dangerous way to think. I know that this story is true, but you shouldn’t believe everything you see on TV.
January 23rd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
eric s:
very mature. please vanish from this board, hopefully the site too.
January 23rd, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I personally felt sarcasm in the FOX news line, I have a bumper sticker that says FOX NEWS the more you watch the less you know.
I wish it was a Joker joke, but it seems that it is not.
RIP Heath
March 8th, 2008 at 6:29 pm
This is so sad.