An Untimely Death

Heath Ledger refused to take the pretty boy's path to Hollywood success

By Ramin Setoodeh | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Jan 22, 2008 | Updated: 6:41  p.m. ET Jan 22, 2008

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  • Posted By: sieg6529 @ 12/29/2008 10:29:26 AM

    Ah yes, how easy it is to dump on the younger generation. Well guess what? You raised us, and our failings are yours made manifest in a younger, better-looking body.

  • Posted By: jwd811 @ 12/22/2008 12:30:14 PM

    Zadious
    I did not post the obnoxious comment. That was Doc Howl.

    I was commenting on it below, if you'll notice.

  • Posted By: Zadious @ 12/22/2008 12:15:33 PM

    jwd811 Where did this come from? This is an article about a man's death, and you have to tie it to my generations unproductivity, and Obama?? You must be a consipiracy theorist if you think Heath Ledgers death had anything to do with the presidential race, or the unproductive youth of our country. For that matter, I think you can blame yourself just as easy as me. Its not my fault the past 4 generations have taken God out of this country, and degraded it in every moral and economic way. You guys made the ***, I was just born into it and now have to try and fix your failures. So don't whine about us paying or not paying for your social security, when your generation didn't fix its problems when it had the chance.

    All things aside, Heath will be missed greatly. He will be loved.

  • Posted By: jwd811 @ 12/19/2008 6:04:57 PM

    Posted By: Doc HowI @ 11/23/2008 11:42:38 AMHeath Ledger is the perfect idol for the young generation obsessed with themselves. A generation lost in drug abuse, unproductive work ethic, and a need to ahve everything handed to them. Their one solution was to elect Obama because of his promise to steal from the productive working folks in society and use that money to support their generation. Short term gains for the young ones, long term failure for this Country. Think of this readers, this generation will someday be the one supporting your social security (or not if they choose to remain unproductive).
    ________________________________________________________________________________________________
    What an absolutely horrible and hateful comment. Repulsive. No one handed anything to Heath - what he achieved, he did so through the sheer force of his innate talent.



    _______________________________________________________________________________________

  • Posted By: Rsw68 @ 12/17/2008 3:27:29 PM

    He had a lot of dignity, and will be remembered for it. It's a cliche when we say, this was a tragic loss in every respect... and yet there are no other words for it. Simple. Stark. We will miss him.

  • Posted By: angelgirl @ 01/27/2008 10:35:18 PM

    Like many people, I wanted to believe that Heath Ledger was a sensitive, kind, intense, talented person who was reasonably stable and dispite the bumps in life, would be with us, as an actor, forever. I see now, from reporting I trust, that he was sensitive, kind, intense and talented. But what I did not realize was that he was also greatly restless, was both jumpy and inarticulate during interviews (which at first I thought was endearing), was subject to very dark moods, said recently that his "body was exhausted, but his mind wouldn't stop" and he couldn't sleep. I also read that (understandably) he was completely bereft when Michelle Williams left him, that he tried so hard to lead a healthy lifestyle and make that relationship work, but the "demons" came back and now he was back onto drinking and drugs in the SoHo neighborhood, not sleeping, not taking care of himself... this is all from what I remember from this weeks People Magazine, which had a very thoroughly researched and well-written article about Heath. I think that this was a very sad
    and tragic accident. I don't think he took risk and danger seriously, and it sounds like he had many excesses that were dangerous. It looks like he was run by his "heart" and not his head, and that for a time he was more stable in the family he had created with Michelle Williams and Matilda. With that anchor gone, he was left to his own resources, which don't work for people who are very emotional about everything, but are exhausted and sleep-deprived. It probably didn't help that he played a depraved, mass-murderer who had "zero empathy" as the joker... Did it occur to anyone, or to Heath himself, that taking on such a role might not be a good idea for someone as emotionally fragile as Mr. Ledger, especially with his penchance for "melting" into the character he's playing? Or maybe he was a person that wouldn't take help personally. That is human, and I can understand that. I also agree with Scottpetrella that the media has shown a lot of class around the death. I think People Magazine was the most superb in what they wrote.
    I am so very sorry that we will never know what Heath Ledger could have become, the performances that were yet to be. I am very sorry that he suffered from self-doubt, and the other problems that came with being so talented and idolized for his acting, but not wanting the notoriety that came with it. I was one of those people who was awed by his acting and will miss him very much. I also want to express my condolences to his loved ones.

  • Posted By: Doc HowI @ 11/23/2008 11:42:38 AM

    Heath Ledger is the perfect idol for the young generation obsessed with themselves. A generation lost in drug abuse, unproductive work ethic, and a need to ahve everything handed to them. Their one solution was to elect Obama because of his promise to steal from the productive working folks in society and use that money to support their generation. Short term gains for the young ones, long term failure for this Country. Think of this readers, this generation will someday be the one supporting your social security (or not if they choose to remain unproductive).

  • Posted By: abcdefz @ 01/31/2008 11:39:11 AM

    It'd be great if Warners would put Ledger's short films on the Dark Knight DVD.

  • Posted By: gelsomina503 @ 01/31/2008 9:33:23 AM

    he was a person like any other and like any other we live then die but the world moves on

  • Posted By: symphony @ 01/30/2008 9:05:54 PM

    To herbismetoo: Heath was an artist. dont compare apples with oranges. that is stupid, dude. may be you dont care cause you have never been touched by his work, and its fine. but i have been touched. like all this people who are writing here. so, please, respect us. because some day will die some painter, writer or photographer you love and you are gonna cry like a baby. unless you dont like art.

  • Posted By: herbismetoo @ 01/29/2008 5:40:28 PM

    I hate to say this, but with all the people sleeping and dying in the streets, i have no sympathy for this man at all, so what he's dead, he had a damned good life compared to some folk i know, i work for the urban survivor, and we see the worse of the worse in life, and who really cares about rich folk that kill themselves I don't !

  • Posted By: Norma Jean @ 01/25/2008 1:14:05 AM

    I just wanted to give my condolences to Ledger's loved ones. He was a fabulous actor and such a cutee. He will be missed. Everybody makes mistakes in life, I'm sure he didn't think this would be the outcome! I'll miss'ya.

  • Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 01/24/2008 3:06:54 PM

    Ledger's death is no different than a crack-head dying on the street. He was taking drugs and ended up dead.

    Why should I have pity for this man? He made his choices and died because of them. Boo hoo.

    • Posted By: j_girl27 @ 01/24/2008 5:36:24 PM

      You don't think a 28 year old dying is sad? That in itself is sad. He wasn't a murderer or rapist, he was a man with inner demons and weaknesses. We all have them.

      • Posted By: sjbrock80 @ 01/24/2008 5:43:25 PM

        Yes, we all have inner demons. Most people, probably 99% deal with inner demons by talking to others, maybe doing things to take our minds off of it.

        I understand your point, but I believe anyone who dies of a drug overdose got exactly what they wanted. There are just too many outlets for people, other than accidental suicide, to fix a problematic life.

        All I'm saying is that I cannot sympathize with him because of the way he died. I can, however, sympathize with his daughter and all the other people who loved him. They are left to wonder what they could've done differently. They are left behind to live without someone they loved. That is why I have no sympathy for Ledger.

        • Posted By: j_girl27 @ 01/24/2008 10:17:58 PM

          Not everyone feels comfortable talking about their feelings especially those encompassing weakness or pain. Men are even more prone to bottling things up inside.

          I don't think that this is a case of someone wanting to die. Have you ever taken more than the reccommended dose of Advil or Tylenol because you thought that taking more would make it work even better? I know I have, but it doesnt mean that ultimately I want to die. I just wanted to feel better.

  • Posted By: Scottpetrella @ 01/24/2008 5:32:28 PM

    I just read the latest report from CNN which was simultaniuosly brodcasted in the New York Time databank and should be front page news tomorrow. Apparently the Medical Examiners report was released to the family today. It showed that there was no trace of illegal substances in Heath Ledger's body and there was only a small trace of 2 drugs that were found in his room, thus ruling out overdose. The report goes on to state that "it appears Mr Ledger suffered a mild stroke that rendered him unconcious". They are now reporting that it was complications resulting from the stroke that caused Heath Ledger's death. They have not released any details beyond what I have just shared with you, however I am sure it will be well known with in the hour.
    In today's society where journalism revolves around a jumble of half truths, I think the media has shown alot of class when dealing with this sensitive subject. I have read many reports speculating that "drugs may be a factor" however with each report came a disclaimer stating no evidence could support that theory. I appreciate the respect the media has shown to the family and friends of Heath Ledger and the acknoledgment of his vast accomplishments as an actor.

  • Posted By: Scottpetrella @ 01/24/2008 5:32:47 PM

    I just read the latest report from CNN which was simultaniuosly brodcasted in the New York Time databank and should be front page news tomorrow. Apparently the Medical Examiners report was released to the family today. It showed that there was no trace of illegal substances in Heath Ledger's body and there was only a small trace of 2 drugs that were found in his room, thus ruling out overdose. The report goes on to state that "it appears Mr Ledger suffered a mild stroke that rendered him unconcious". They are now reporting that it was complications resulting from the stroke that caused Heath Ledger's death. They have not released any details beyond what I have just shared with you, however I am sure it will be well known with in the hour.
    In today's society where journalism revolves around a jumble of half truths, I think the media has shown alot of class when dealing with this sensitive subject. I have read many reports speculating that "drugs may be a factor" however with each report came a disclaimer stating no evidence could support that theory. I appreciate the respect the media has shown to the family and friends of Heath Ledger and the acknoledgment of his vast accomplishments as an actor.

  • Posted By: cleoj @ 01/22/2008 7:18:57 PM

    RIP Heath, you will be missed. Others out there - be it depression or drug addiction, please get help... get it now.

    • Posted By: MarshaJ @ 01/22/2008 9:08:33 PM

      Marsha J I completely echo your thoughts. I have fought depression for years and believe that the pressure he was under (as many young actors and actresses are) was relentless. He brought a smile to my face many times while preforming and I thank him for that. He will be remembered for many years to come and we will look at screen roles and think....he would have been great in that! I will pray for him be at peace now and for his family to find comfort in that. I am heart broken for his little daughter and parents - it just never seems fair to lose a loved one.

      • Posted By: fraser1978 @ 01/24/2008 9:47:55 AM

        Look what happens when artists get put on psychiatric drugs - they end up dead. www.cchr.org

    • Posted By: GetReal08 @ 01/22/2008 10:50:26 PM

      Whenever you read about someone so together as Heath Ledger committing suicide, the real culprit inevitably turns out to be psychiatric drugs that are involved. Check out the Black Box warnings. This story is so new they'll never mention that yet. But a few days down the road we'll probably find out in a little 5 or 6 word sentence that he was "under a psychiatrists care" for "depression" and taking psychotropic drugs.

  • Posted By: mike1964 @ 01/24/2008 9:04:12 AM

    "Just about everyone is taking antidepressants or anxiolytics..."?

  • Posted By: leighjamesleigh @ 01/24/2008 8:18:42 AM

    Despite the nutty comments below, Ledger's death was truly ashame; he was young, handsome, talented and magnetic as was obvious by his work. His death should serve as a warning for a common occurrence that is under-reported -- mixing meds. Just about everyone is taking antidepressants or anxiolytics (antianxiety meds), they're basically safe if you take them as prescribed and for a certain period of time. But everyone adds on sleeping pills and over the counter meds on top of that. Mixing meds is dangerous and deadly, people don't know how the meds interact with one another or what their tolerance is until it's too late. Don't mix meds, if a med isn't working for your anxiety or depression, get back to the mental health clinic or your doctor or psychiatrist.

  • Posted By: mike1964 @ 01/24/2008 6:33:31 AM

    I will comment if I choose. The last time I checked, this is still America-you know, free speech and all.

  • Posted By: muy2x @ 01/23/2008 11:07:58 PM

    Then you'll be next because you are stupid. We might find it funny, too. Don't comment at all especially when you barely know the person.

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