TRANSITION

Charisma as Natural as Gravity

NEWSWEEK
Updated: 3:21  p.m. ET Jan 26, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Feb 4, 2008

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  • Posted By: calmorrison @ 03/22/2008 7:05:31 PM

    Hmm, you didn't know him, just as 99.9999999999999999999999999999% of the people who write on these things didn't know him and just as I don't.
    How dare you judge anyone on here'say though, ' he had this, he had that', just move along and get along dude.
    P.s It's not mean to die accidentally!!

  • Posted By: smekit @ 03/21/2008 3:30:02 PM

    I'm confused, Heath was a wonderful actor but also a wonderful person and he had the life everyone wants. He had a beautiful daughter that he left alone. That is the meanest thing you can do to a child. Leave it before you get to see how the child grow up. I know how it feels to say goodbye to someone you love. And i feel so sorry for matilda.

  • Posted By: sueswisdom @ 02/26/2008 6:56:33 PM

    Every day I think of Heath and the senselessness of his deat. I try to find comfort in my religious belief that God wanted Heath in heaven - maybe to end his suffering. Heath was not just beautiful on the outside but beautfiul through and through as a person. I try to analyze how someone so solid could have gotten off on a bad track , ie. if you believe the stories about his drug use. I think that the divorce of his parents was quite traumatic for him at the tender age of 10. It undermined the stability that he experienced in his early years and I think set the stage for his future. Divorce is really tough on kids especially under some circumstances where parents behave badly toward each other. Heath's mother seemed rather absent compared to his dad. I kind of wonder about her... Heath's half sister from his mom was born in 1989.

  • Posted By: sherrycnm @ 02/06/2008 11:59:38 AM

    I have to wonder as I read what I already had guessed-accidental overdose and continue to process the senseless loss of a bright star WHEN will we question our HEALTHCARE system. I am an RN and have practiced for over twenty years. Why was a healthy man with plenty of resources given so many pills instead of being given practical counsel on rest and rejuvenation. It certainly isn't because he didn't have health insurance that he died but rather because he had open access to care. Care that delivered medication rather than hard counsel on too heavy a work schedule/life style and not nearly enough downtime for rest and repair of a weary mind and body. It's so sad to contemplate what might have been and what is to follow for a little girl who has lost her beloved father and realize it could have been different in so many ways.

  • Posted By: Lisann @ 02/04/2008 10:05:35 PM

    After reading this lovely tribute, I find that I'm just not ready to let go. I had finally gotten to watch "Candy" in it's entirety on January 21st. It was the ending scenes that got me hooked on Mr. Ledger. He was a rare and genuine talent.. I will mourn him, the movies he would've starred in and the ones he would've created. The earth lost a huge brilliance, but personally I have gained a huge appreciation of his talent and will hold it up to compare with all the other movies I see in the future. Blessings and comfort to those who knew and loved him! You are the luckiest of us all.

  • Posted By: txscotsman @ 02/01/2008 9:11:11 AM

    WOW! ther's nothing left to say. THIS...says it all. But here's a few of my comments.....I've seen almost all of Heaths' movies, and as of yet my most favorite was Brokeback Mountain. though I HATED teh ending, simply casue I don't like sad endings which make you wonder....what IF...kinda like his Death. Heath and Jake, was and is by far my most favorite actors. I haven't seen some of Heath's early movies yet, but will rent them out so I can watch them I've heard the one titled, Candy or Candyman, is another excellent one, yet I thinkg by the type of person Heath was, They were ALL Excellent, becasue that 's teh Way Heath was in everything he did he gave it his ALL. What a GIFT!

    Then, after reaading what Christaphor Nolan wrote here in Newsweek, yeah it even made me cry. OF course "Guys" aren't suppose to do that, but ...oh well. I have been and still do. Because, though I didn't know Heath "personally, BUT, I wish I could have, I felt like we were the best of freinds, as though we were like Brothers. NO it makes no sense to me either, it's just something I feel.

    So thanks to EVERYONE who has posted there feelings and coments on all HIS and Jakes's websites, I can't even begin to imagine what Jale's going through right now. But it's helped me and porbably allot of other Grieving fans, cope with his UNTIMELY,< SENSELESSLY STUPID DEATH. I've been thinking about it ever since I first read about it on a YAhoo news Blitz. I like everyone was SHOCKED and saddend. Yet i keep thinking SURELY SOMETHING COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO SAVE HIM! IT seems like SUCH A WASTE! Yes Heatr you will be SORELY MISSED for a long time and remembered forever by your , Family, Freind(those whom U were very close to)and Fans. Rest in Peace my Brother......

  • Posted By: Maciel @ 02/01/2008 4:18:13 AM

    He's actually showed how down to earth and grounded he'd been. for someone so young he'd actually been responsible, and for someone so great he'd actually been small. that's the reason people who's still living in his shoes are defending him now--they knew exactly how it's like to live in the limelight, to easily feel the power, and how hard it is not to exploit that when you're back to normal and at home and not hearing the applause. they knew that heath had been splendid in that, one of those too few examples, that he'd been extraordinary. he'd been a perfect artist and that's just a few, but an imperfect person like everyone else. we all know his performances were priceless and ageless and it's just so sad he couldn't give us more of that anymore. Heath, you won't be forgotten and your star will shine among the greats, even when i'm sure that alive, you won't agree. that you'll feel you haven't done enough. But baby, it's time to rest. we do love you, and that's because we appreciate how much you've touched our lives. My family will watch your The Patriot on movie nights in our sala, and my daughters' hearts will still throb when they watch you in Ten Thing's I Hate About You when they grow up. My grandchildren will appreciate you in The Brothers Grimm and The Dark Knight and I will always have tears in my eyes when I watch your Ennis. We will all forget about how you'd died and all this hullaballoo now because your talent will outlive that all. So rest. Be well with God.

  • Posted By: Maciel @ 02/01/2008 3:46:38 AM

    When I heard about his death the first thing I thought of was, what a waste. he's one of those people, you know? One who couldn't have done what he's done without the substance, without the sensitivity, without the faith, without the love to his craft and the unselfishness to give his all. It was shocking and sad to lose someone who could still give so much and who's tried to hold nothing back. and I feel kind of selfish to feel that, too, because i know I'm one of those who wouldn't enjoy him now that he's dead. his death is one of those you just couldn't understand. what's more sad is when people just can't seem to give him some slack for living his life the way he'd done. he's given us so much in his films. why do they have to expect they could have everything else?
    To Heath Ledger's parents, thank you for sharing someone like your beloved son to us. We don't even know him but we couldn't help but mourn for that obvious exuberance for life that he'd had, something we can only get jealous of. I'm sure he'd have pointed to you, he'd have made you responsible for his having that gift. No son or daughter could have had that if he wasn't loved and accepted all his life.
    Heath's one of those actors whose talent could excuse his other deficiencies, deficiencies which only proved how normally humane he'd been.

  • Posted By: abcdefz @ 01/31/2008 1:24:35 PM

    I hope Ledger's short films wind up on the Dark Knight DVD. That would be nice.

  • Posted By: jwenzel @ 01/30/2008 3:37:40 PM

    Why also assume, dewcooper, that Ledger was fake and part of the machine? (obviously your implication) That's as naive as assuming he was some great, moral person. If you respect someone's creative work (as I do most of Ledger's and Christopher Nolan's) it's only fair to give them the benefit of the doubt that they can be the authentic, more valuable people that you so clearly cherish. Why assume Nolan's blowing smoke?

    • Posted By: dewcooper @ 01/31/2008 8:22:45 AM

      I am implying nothing (you are assuming), other than I can seperate the actor from his work, his public life from his private. My point is, that all of this wailing and nashing of teeth is based not on Ledger's ACTUAL life and personality, but on what others are projecting upon him. We now are hearing from his close friends and ex-fiancee that he was a serious illegal drug user, who regardless of his ability to seek help, refused to do so. Even the birth of his daughter was not enough to break his selfish desire to get high and party. I can respect him as an actor, but from what I havbe seen of him as a person - not so much...

  • Posted By: alex_vpt @ 01/31/2008 12:48:47 AM

    From '10 things I hate about you' and 'A Knights Tale' to 'Brokeback Mountain', you saw how beautiful and talented Heath Ledger was. This story is one of the most beautiful things I have read out of a sea of garbage that has been printed since his passing.

  • Posted By: *snow* @ 01/30/2008 5:06:36 PM

    Wow....the 2nd to last paragraph...those last four lines..very touching..almost broke my heart to read them a second time..but the last paragraph was just perfect. I can't help but smile either.
    Nolan's article was truly amazing and unforgettable, touching and heartfelt all at the same time..
    I can still barely explain how I feel about all that has happened and I think Christopher Nolan put it all in the right words I was looking for. Of course, mostly about how Heath was so dedicated and wonderful and amazing..not the filming part seeing as I was obviously not there..but I can imagine it. Heath being genuinely kind and great on the set of The Dark Knight...especially after reading the part where he thanked each and every one of the crew members for staying so late to allow him to finish up that scene.
    Thank you, Christopher Nolan, for creating such a beautiful piece that will be remembered for a long time by so many.
    Thanks Heath, for being so inspiring, charismatic, unique and brilliant not only in your roles, but in reality as well. You will never, ever be forgotten and I hope that you're happy wherever you are at this moment in time. Rest in Peace Heath..Rest in Peace.
    : )

  • Posted By: jwenzel @ 01/30/2008 3:33:53 PM

    But you have no reason, dewcooper, to also assume he's also fake and part of the machine. That's as naive as assuming he was a great, moral guy. You shouldn't believe everything you read, but if you trust and respect the creativity in someone's work (as I do Heath's and Christopher Nolan's) you should give them a chance at being what you obviously consider to be some sort of more valuable, authentic person.

  • Posted By: MikeYouens @ 01/30/2008 2:58:55 PM

    Thank you Christopher Nolan for your personal Heath Ledger memories. It was nice to read something positive and sincere about someone I enjoyed seeing at the movies. Heath you will be missed.

  • Posted By: dewcooper @ 01/29/2008 3:20:02 PM

    While everyone is entitled to their opinion, why does everyone have to link ledger to Brokeback mountain? More people probably saw him in 10 things I hate about you, The Patriot and A Knight's Tale. Why must we politicise everything, even a hapless death like this.

    Personally, with the exception of those few people who actually knew him, most people are blowing their 'mourning' way out of proportion. No actor's death has ever stopped Hollywood from existing, stopped a film from being made. There is always 'the next one' to fill their shoes, and their shoes always get filled.

    Your energies would be better spent considering those children who are murdered by abortion every day or those being killed via genocide in Africa. You know them as well as you knew Ledger...

    • Posted By: pureoriginal @ 01/29/2008 4:39:03 PM

      A very sensitive and worthy footnote to the short life of the wonderfully talented and yet evidently shy and modest Heath Ledger. I think perhaps your energies would be better spent banging your political drum of choice elsewhere. This is after all supposed to be a place for those to share their comments, admiration and memories of Heath (regardless of whether they knew him personally - hardly a qualification to comment given the very nature of movie watching and actor/movie appreciation). I am sure many of those commenting have concerns/opinions about more than just Heath and the cult of celebrity but I would suggest here isn't the place for airing opinions on other issues. Bottom line on this story would appear to be that a decent young guy who inspired people in so many different ways has had his life tragically cut short which I would suggest isn't cause for political grandstanding but something worth feeling a little bit of sympathy and sadness for. After all, with everything going on in the world, his ability to inspire through his chosen medium will be sorely missed by many.

      • Posted By: dewcooper @ 01/30/2008 9:39:12 AM

        First off, like all actors, Ledger was paid to lie for a living. After all, that is what actors do, they represent themselves as some one they are not for a lot of cash and fame. Add to this the masterful use of public relations and use of the press, and you really have no idea who an actor is, only what they chose to show you. Rock Hudson, for all but the final years of his life, is a perfect example.

        All we really know of Ledger is that he made films and that he left his fiancee once she delivered their baby. The rest of the comments on here are what people have projected onto him, and may or may not be reality. That is the nature of celebrity. - They are who we want them to be and we close our eyes to who they really are.

      • Posted By: jascip @ 01/29/2008 9:22:10 PM

        Pureoriginal,
        Contrary to what you think, this is not a Heath Ledger memorial. If that is what you are looking for then go to his website, which I am sure has no views that conflict with your own. This is a discussion about his death and the society we live in that gives it such weight and importance. In the grand scheme of things going on in this world, and I am sorry Heath, it is not that important. There are a lot more tragic things in this world. It's okay to feel bad about it but to dwell on it shows how shallow and nearsighted we are in this country.

        • Posted By: acpy @ 01/30/2008 2:27:16 AM


          This is in response to jascip???s comments, including the reply to jmarc.
          I assume that you think that celebrity culture has taken too much of our lives, that we have grown too enamored by their rises and falls, and I agree with you. But celebrity culture will always be prevalent as long as the media machine exists. The media machine will always be what it has been as long as there are dissatisfied people vicariously living through celebrities during their glory days only to rip them apart when they need to believe that their life is not all that bad. We can only combat it by ignoring it or exercising some sort of control as to what we choose to believe. All that we know about Heath Ledger???s passing is the day it occurred and general circumstances. Your understanding of how he passed away is clouded with media reports based on speculation. They could just wait and choose to report FACT , but they???re too money hungry, and people are too scandal hungry. So, please see him as a human being for a second, one that if not for his working in the industry would not have to be subjected to all this bs even in death. The worst thing about celebrity culture is that it exists because of people are so disenchanted and zoned out that they do not even have a filter anymore for what they should want to know and what is complete bs.
          I haven???t really thought of why we should mourn a celebrity. If anything, this tribute shows that Heath Ledger was not concerned with celebrity. He was an artist and his art form allowed him to reach many people, and he surely would not have been able to if not for his own search for truth in his characters. We all have the ability to touch people through our work, it???s true. And when we pass away, those people may be able to pay their respects, comfort our loved ones and talk about how we contributed to their life. We may never be able to do this in person, at a set place for Heath Ledger. But this tribute and all the positive responses to it are people???s way of doing all those things. Your concerns would be much more fitting if directed towards a magazine with Britney/Paris/Lindsay on the cover. It just might actually get you an answer that you want to hear.
          This is such a great tribute from Mr. Nolan, it's such a perfect way to remember someone.
          RIP Heath Ledger, there were no limits to what you could have done. You???ll be missed. Thanks for the memories.

  • Posted By: ALP00 @ 01/30/2008 1:03:42 AM

    Thank you for writing this. Thank you so much. I really appreciate being given this insight into him as not only an actor but a person. I enjoyed all of his movies immensely and am now deeply saddened to never have that anticipation of seeing him in a film again after Dark Knight and possibly The Imaginatarium of Doctor Parnassus.

  • Posted By: jmarc @ 01/29/2008 10:15:26 AM

    jascip,

    I can only half applaud you in your attempt to create perspective. You are tired of hearing about Heath Ledger. Well, I am overwhelmingly tired of people using words and phrases like, "but, he was only an actor" and "why are we mourning a celebrity?" I wouldn't call Heath Ledger a celebrity. He was that "other" kind of actor. He was an artist. His work did actually have some bearing on society because without it what on earth would you do for entertainment on your Friday and Saturday night date? I wonder how many couples' first dates consisted of dinner and a movie? Every actor infuses a part of himself in every performance. We see a living , breathing human being on screen or on a stage or in an interview. We see a personality. It's quite easy to understand why there is a connectedness between artist and audience. It's the very nature of the art form. Unfortunately, we don't see all those things in the many people who lose their lives everyday, but someone does. And, I can assure you that their loss is just as intense.

    • Posted By: jascip @ 01/29/2008 9:14:29 PM

      I appreciate your comments jmarc. In this day and age when celebrities are constantly followed around by the paparazzi, it's easy to grow tired of celebities and how they waste their lives. Like Britney, or Lindsay or Amy... or just fill in the blank. So I can understand why you have grown sick of hearing "why mourn a celebrity?" It happens numerous times a day. I don't mean to pick on Heath Ledger. He just happens to be the guy we are "mourning " this week. Maybe you had a special connection to some film he made and it touched you. But you don't have to be an actor to touch people. Not everyone wonders, "what on Earth will I do tonight," and go to the movies on a Friday or Saturday. People can be artists in the work they do, and not ever make it onto the stage or in front of the camera. If you have a job that you love don't you "infuse a part" of yourself into it as Heath did?
      And like nurseowens, I too, am a nurse. I have seen more death and suffering than most, except for perhaps our brave men and women in uniform. So maybe that is why Heath's death is just another one to me. Perhaps too I see another individual who wasted his life and talent by succumbing to his poor decisions. Unlike the common person on the street, he had more resources to fall back on. Instead of looking for help in the right places, he looked for it in a bottle (or bottles). And he left behind a small child that one day will wonder what happened to her Dad. So do I feel sorry for him, yes I do. Because he wasted a great opportunity that few have the priveledge to experience, and because he leaves behind a daughter who will grow up without a father, and because fans will think that his loss is such a great tradgedy while overlooking so many of the others that occur daily.

  • Posted By: Mickeyg713 @ 01/29/2008 6:08:48 PM

    This was such a heat felt statement. I hate to even call it a statement with all of the emotion and memories that were shared. Thank you for these snapshots in time of Heath that you shared about his work on the set ,as well as his work ethics.

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