Anyone who writes on the web knows that it shares a lot in common with pinball; it’s a never-ending session of sending out information, aiming for certain point beds, watching it randomly bounce around and occasionally fire back at you in a barrage of lengthy emails, rapid comments, angry message boards and the savored angry person outside your window with a mask on. It’s not often that you think deeply about the information you’re handling beyond professional guidelines, or while you’re eating or relaxing. Yet, this week we’ve dealt with a tremendous loss in the art and industry that /Film covers, and I’m sure we’re all watching the Web cover it, break it down into 0101s, and eventually wash over it in the span of a week.
When Peter first called me from Sundance to tell me the news, our connection was bad, like the cliche. I thought I heard him say that Heath Ledger had passed away; no, that he was dead. Not possible. He said it again and, knowing Peter, it hit, even through the Utah static blizzard.
I liked Heath Ledger’s work as an actor, his career was blossoming. He was one of those upstanding young actors that you just watch, because soon enough he’s going to be the actor you watch get older as you do. No need to rush it, growing up on movies, it’s natural. So, the first thing that hit my mind when I finally had time to think about this offline is that I never thought of Heath Ledger as a celebrity, almost subconsciously. I thought of him as an actor, but more so as, yeah, an artist. In this Internet culture of Easter Egg-colored celebrity websites, what I’ve learned since Tuesday, is that when a real artist dies, in these days and these times you really, really freaking feel it. Sure, it hits home like you knew the guy; but more than that it’s like you knew someone indelible and invaluable to our culture and times…before you knew it. And I’m not going to cave in and write a requisite blurb-filled litany of his filmography. There’s no need right now. I’m pretty sure everyone feels the same way about him that I do, and the exact reason “why” we’ll long after keep discovering. I’ll watch and enjoy his movies in the future, but it’s the epiphany of appreciation I felt on Tuesday that I’m most going to remember and contemplate.
Warner Bros. has taken the entire website for The Dark Knight offline and replaced it with a white background and a photo of Ledger. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like this occur in my few years working online. Here’s a link.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:41 am
Hey Hunter, you put together a wonderful post. It is
what I have been feeling, but have not been able
to put in words. I’m not one to get terribly sad or
broken up by a celebrity death; however Heath was
not just a “celebrity” in my eyes. Yes, he was an artist.
I admired his works and respected his want of privacy.
Unfortunately, his death has generated more media
buzz than I think he would have wanted.
And yet I’m guilty for scouring the Net to find all the the press stories. Part of the reason is like to hear nice things about him (a CNN article) and another is I want to know his death was accidental. I don’t want to believe his death was a self induced drug overdose. I honestly believe it was accidental…I hope that
it is the case.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Well said and I feel the same way, no need to say anything more because you nailed how I exactly feel about this unfortunate loss of a truly great actor that took chances and didn’t just cash in and become a celebrity and instead went the road many talent don’t go anymore and become an artist first.
Like the loss of River Phoenix I feel robbed in selfish way because we the true fans of film are going to have 1 less reliable talent for are viewing pleasure.
January 25th, 2008 at 3:30 am
the changes to ‘The Dark Knight’ and ‘Why So Serious’ pages are first class moves…
January 25th, 2008 at 4:33 am
oh dear heath..rest in peace..too young but like that horrible sayin..only the good die young…like nick drake who heath was looking to maybe make a movie..the song place to be..makes me think of heath…rip heath..may the angels sing loudly for you..xxxxx
January 25th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I’ve been reading this site for a long time and this post moved me to comment for the first time.
Your words are extremely focused and dead-on. I think you captured what we’re all feeling. Personally, I was surprised how hard I took the news. I’ve been trying to put my finger on why I feel such a personal loss over this tragedy and you really nailed it. This is just such a loss of pure potential. I can only think of the brilliant performances that have been lost forever.
Rest in Peace.
January 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Studio is smart. they don’t need the viral marketing anymore. “The Dark Knight” is getting mentioned on every news cast along with clips from the film of Ledger’s joker. Free publicity, they may as well soak it in and play the good guys here in interweb land.
January 25th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I agree with Meli 100%. You’ve put into words what I think many of us were feeling but couldn’t quite express.
It’s hard to accept the passing of someone with such a bright future - someone you grew up watching, someone that may even be around the same age as you, as he is the same age as me. It’s surreal -
Thanks for putting it out there.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:16 am
This was an excellent move by the studio. It strikes the right tone. It’s tasteful and appropriate.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Thanks - Nailed it…
Like AP i am completely surprised that this hit me so hard.. Just cant stop thinking about it…
January 25th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Heath:
Even though your gone, just know that we all love you! And just because your gone, dont really change anything, cause your all in our hearts! Love you Always!
Love one of your biggest fans: Markie McGurie
January 25th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
I agree that the studio made a good move. (The cynical part of me also wonders if they would have done this if they hadn’t already had a boatload of publicity concerning this movie.)
On the other hand, people fawning like this is pretty sad. People die all the time. Every day, in fact. And some of their stories are much more tragic than Heath’s. I don’t mean to diminish his death because, like all deaths, it is very sad. But that’s the point: like all death’s.
I wish everyone felt as sympathetic for all the people who die of cancer; or for those who die of random crime; or for the person killed in a car accident. When people act like they do only when a celebrity dies, I find that a little sickening: as if we can only get “moved to tears” when it’s someone famous. There are many people who don’t get to live out their dreams at all; at the very least, Heath managed to do so even in the relatively short time he was on this planet.
So, by all means, let’s mourn him but let’s do so in light of the fact that people die all the time. His situation is hardly unique and it’s hardly worthy of more respect than the numerous other deaths that occur every single day.
January 25th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
heaths death in a way for me is like a wake up call that these people are not jus celebrities like we see ‘em they are real life everyday people like you and i who just pass true life wishing to be happy and satisfied. i search thru the internet and thru any magazine and newspaper i can find to atleast take a final look at a person who in his own little way has touched the lives of many around him and has shown extraordinary tallent like no other and i feel so sad that a life has young has this could be lost without anyone at his side……… although i never had the oppurtunnity to meet him personally through his work he has thought me that the sky is the limit if you only believe…. it a deep seen of loss i say REST IN PEACE HEATH.
January 26th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
i heard this news on my first day away on holiday. Bit of a shock to say the least. What i feel is kind of similar to when you break up with someone. It’s not so much the pain of breaking up, but more of the dreams you had for the future with them, and knowing they wont happen. Much like, you enjoyed the work Heath did, and looked forward to films he would be in. With Heath now passing away, that future is now gone and it leaves you feeling empty and sad. As Hunter mentioned we saw Heath grow up on screen in some respect, and dare i say, i loved A Knights Tale, so seeing him do that, and his subsequent films we saw a talent that we could relay on and enjoy. I know for one, that watching The Dark Knight will be a very strange emotion as i know this was his last proper film.
If there is a world after this, i’m sure Heath will think, “Crikey, did i really have that many fans.”
Rest In Peace my friend.
March 8th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
HEATH LEDGER ALWAYS ON MY MIND!
July 21st, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Heath, you will always be remembered, never to be forgotten,
You are forever in our hearts.