Heath Ledger

Heath Ledger 1979-2008

Heath Ledger died early this week. That’s probably a known fact by now. As far as his work is concerned, he unfortunately didn’t finish his current film before he died. According to police he died in his apartment, naked, apparently overdosing on sleeping pills. Whether accidentally or intentional doesn’t detract from his impact and what he could have done.

Starting his career as a “teen heart-throb” of sorts, he started in comical and romantic throw away films such as Ten Things I Hate About You, a re-make of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Not especially known for doing movies with a lot of substance, late in his life he began to branch out.

One role he will most likely be known for is his role as Ennis del Mar in the film Brokeback Mountain. It was a gutsy move for him as a younger actor, but it solidified his place as a serious American actor. It made him an icon for gay rights, portraying a homosexual romance in a society that frowns upon it.

His newest role was as The Joker in The Dark Knight. As a character that has existed in many incarnations it will be exciting to see Heath Ledger’s final performance. I was looking forward to it anyway because just based on the trailer he seems to have done the character quite effectively.

Really, he was another of those young actors that died before they should have. He was really beginning to be someone who could tackle any role, no matter the controversy. I would have liked to see where he would have gone next. Supposedly, his last movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus was going to be spectacularly odd and dark, involving deals with the devil and such. Unfortunately, his death impeded the fruition of the film and it will most likely never see the light of day.

Regardless of the circumstances surrounding his death, he was a great talent that had not yet reached his peak. Hopefully his two movies, yet to be released, will give us something new that we haven’t yet seen from Heath Ledger. It’s clear that whatever you think about the man, the impact he has had in his life has been greater than most from portraying the comedic leading man to some of the most controversial roles of our time. Heath Ledger’s death was the death of a true actor.

Ian MacKechnie