Lesson: be careful with the prescription pills. Ending weeks of speculation with official closure and a bit of universal health advice, actor Heath Ledger’s death on January 22nd has been attributed to an “acute intoxication” of several prescription medications. A New York medical examiner said that toxicology reports show that a lethal combination of anxiety medications (Xanax, Valium), sleeping aids (Restoril, Unisom) and pain killers (Vicodin, OxyContin) were found in his system at the time of death. Information pertaining to which drugs or what doses proved most responsible was not revealed. Ledger’s family issued a statement, here’s an excerpt…
“While no medications were taken in excess, we learned today the combination of doctor-prescribed drugs proved lethal for our boy. Heath’s accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage.”
In related news, the official website for Ledger’s last film, Terry Gilliam’s The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, has gone live. If you click here you will see the words “Coming Soon.” According to a source at Quick Stop Entertainment, the production has not ceased, and yet certain “shady parties” would like the general public to think The Dark Knight was the 28-year-old actor’s final role. Um, okay. Regarding Doctor Parnassus, there are no new developments to the rumors that Ledger’s role will be recast (with Johnny Depp?) and/or that CGI will be utilized to complete his part. Stay tuned.
February 6th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Rest in peace dude. Your character intact, and your legacy well established. I knew he was a good guy.
February 6th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
How terrible. Such a waste of talent ;/
February 6th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
That’s a lot of powerful meds, but it’s still kinda hard to believe they killed the guy. And please tell me a doc didn’t prescribe them all to him. Still hasn’t sunk in that he’s gone, just as a fan, hope his last couple roles/films are spectacular.
February 6th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
As Lee left the world after Crow, so does Heath Ledger. That being said, his role as the joker will be far advanced by the fact that he passed and the fact that he put his all into every acting role he acquired.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Well thats a shame. It seems that all the good stars die. When will we hear that Brittney Spears was in a freak accident?
February 6th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Just brutal, what a fuckin waste. It almost pisses me off, actually it does.
I hope he gets an oscar nod for the joker, I have a feeling he is going to be unforgettable in that role.
February 6th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Im still shocked. Im angry too man. I just watched Im Not There. Seeing him with a girl in love in the sixites in new york as a young guy - how fucking sad.
Rest in Peace Heath Ledger. Im so sorry.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Come on, seriously its a surpise he OD’ed with all those drugs? He wil be missed and its tragic but people don’t act surprised and shocked that drug mixing can kill.
February 6th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
May he rest in peace. It’s too bad he couldn’t complete his role.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
@Im Sorry,
You have a point. I’m not sure how taking this many pills (even if you’re not a drug abuser, you know you can’t throw all of the more epic pills in the world in your body at once) qualifies as an “accidental overdose.” It’s either ridiculously reckless, totally careless or a call for help. But moving on…
February 6th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
I imagine that the sleeping pills contributed to some kind of amnesia - as they often do - that caused him to keep popping pills until it knocked him out. People on drugs like Restoril and Ambien often take lethal doses/combinations of pills because their short-term memory is impaired. I predict there will be a major investigation of these drugs someday soon.
February 7th, 2008 at 2:41 am
more like heath deadger
February 7th, 2008 at 8:46 am
The Gilliam’s movie will go on. Heath shot most of his scene, because he was supposed to be available only for a few more weeks before moving to another project. As his character is supposed to enter the dreamlike realm of Parnassus’ mind through a magical mirror, they will have him change his appearance once he goes through the mirror.