January 23, 2008

Hollywood Stunned at Heath's Death

Posted by ExtraTV Staff on January 23, 2008 9:10 AM


Friends and colleagues are expressing shock and disbelief at Heath Ledger's untimely and tragic death.

"He's probably my favorite actor," said John Travolta at the G'Day USA event in New York City last night. "It's a tremendous loss. It's sad to be here celebrating Australia when he's gone."

Cate Blanchett, Heath's co-star in "I'm Not There," said she is "shocked and saddened" at the news.

"I deeply respect Heath's work and always admired his continuing development as an artist," Blanchett said in a statement. "My thoughts are with his family and close friends."

Australia's Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said we have lost "one of our nation's finest actors in the prime of his life."

Mel Gibson, Heath's co-star in "The Patriot," said, "I had such great hope for him. He was just taking off and to lose his life at such a young age is a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family."

Hit hardest by the tragedy: Heath's ex, Michelle Williams, the mother of his two-year-old daughter Matilda. She is reportedly "devastated" by the news of his death. She is flying back from Sweden, where she was filming a movie.


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Comments (16)

On 29 Jan 2008, TH wrote:

It is really terrible that someone so young and so talented is gone. I feel for the family…..such a sudden tradgic death and I think that is what is so hard to deal with, especially for the family. May the media let him rest in peace and allow his family to begin the healing process and not have to see reports of what he did right and wrong flashed in their face. My condolences to the family.
 
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On 29 Jan 2008, Saundra Dalgleish wrote:

My heart stopped beating, and I couldn’t get my breath when I first heard about Heath dying. I am so sad. I am so sorry for the pain that his family has to endure right now. I am more saddened by the horrible things being said about him. Daniel Day Lewis touched my heart when he dedicated his SAG award to Heath. He was obviously distraught over his death. Heath was a true and natural talent.His smile was so big and bright,childlike really.The sparkle in his eyes was amazing on the screen. Playful and yet so expressive and sensitive. What a loss for all of us.And Yes we morn his loss because he brought so much to us thru his movies.Mel Gibson was right, Heath was just getting started and had so much more to give. Terry Gilliam said Heath wanted so much to be a director and he would have become a great director.When little Matilda starts searching thru all his dribble about her dad, I hope she will find more positive findings about her dad and not a bunch of lies and conjecture about his untimely death.
I believe Heath was so starved for rest and sleep his body reacted adversely because he was ill and in a weakened state. I have had simular reactions to Ambien and Lunesta. Where they did not keep me asleep and you wake up and your body is screaming for sleep. I do n ot believe he was on illleagal drugs. I just want to say thank you God for the time we all had to enjoy this fine young actor. And YES those of us who make up his true fans will be depressed for a long time. A real sense of loss. Good bye Heath you brought many hours of joy into my life. Matilda, if you ever find this, just know your dad was a GREAT TALENT. He was genuine on the screen. But you were his life and he loved you beyond measure. Go with God Heath. I will miss you and pray for you and your family. God give them peace of mind…….Saundra in Arizona
you are a treasure to Australia
 
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On 28 Jan 2008, anonymous wrote:

Why is it when someone famous dies it is such a big big deal. I have know many who have died from accidental overdose. Too many prescribed RX without knowing the side effects is deadly. Why isn’t their death on the news. Too many doctors prescribed medications without telling the patient the side effects. Maybe too many pharmacists are doing the same thing, also. It is a loss, a human loss. Whether famous or not……..
 
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On 26 Jan 2008, Anonymous wrote:

Heath Ledger was a tremendous actor who’s acting touch many lives. He will be missed. My heart is with his family at this very sad and tragic time. May god give them the strength and courage to heal and get through this. May we remember him not by his death but how he lived and encouraged people.
 
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On 26 Jan 2008, Anonymous wrote:

Heath Ledger’s death is a tragic loss. He will truly be missed but his spirit and legacy will live on forever. My heart goes out to his family and especially his two year old daughter who will grow up without her father and remember him mostly through his movies as she grows up. It is very sad that such a talented young actor had his life come to an end do soon. May he rest in peace.

 
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On 23 Jan 2008, Connie wrote:

All the far-fetched speculation is so pointless, with regard to Michelle or drug abuse or especially the roles he’s chosen to play potentially being the culprit here. Heath was a genuine, sensitive soul who loved acting and held importance solely in his loved one’s. A few lines from an earlier film are surprisingly applicable to Heath, with regard to these two forces in his life: “Your men love you. And if I knew nothing else about you, that would be enough. But, you also tilt, when you could withdraw, and that is knightly too…” Peace be with Heath’s family, Michelle, Matilda, and all of his loved one’s.
 
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On 23 Jan 2008, KARISSA wrote:

THIS IS THE MOST HEART BRAKEING THING THAT HAS HAPPEND IN A LONG TIME I CANT BELIVE THAT HE IS GONE I LOVED HIS ACTING SO SO SO MUCH HE IS GOING TO BE MISSED BY MILIONS AND LIKE IVE SAID BEFORE HE WAS AND IS THE BEST ACTOR IN THIS WORLD
 
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On 23 Jan 2008, Anonymous wrote:

The news of Heath Ledger saddens me. However, the real sad news is this is happening daily and just because he is famous we take notice. In the last few years several people I know have been affected by a young person’s accidental overdose. The problem to me lies with physicians to easily perscribing drugs for everything! Is there financial kick back from these major pharmacutical companies to these physicians. How many more lives have to be taken from before we take notice. My hearts go out to the ones he left behind Heath is at peace.

 
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On 23 Jan 2008, alycia wrote:

i agree.
the way these entertainment shows are
handeling this situation is awful.

they talk about him like he was an
awful person. granted, i didnt know him.
but you never heard anything bad about
this man.

learn to have some respect.


rip heath. youll be greatly missed

 
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On 23 Jan 2008, maria wrote:

iloved him i cant believe hes gone.its true whos next?
 
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On 23 Jan 2008, allan wrote:

i feel so bad for Heath Ledger…..And,,,,what his family must be going through…I pray that he is in heaven with all the past actors who have fallen to young….And,,,i pray for his friend,,,Jake Gillenhal….They were both fantastic in Brokeback Mountain!!!!
 
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On 23 Jan 2008, caddie blood wrote:

The news was a shock to me and it saddens me very much, i didn’t even know who he was and it almost made me cry!
 
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On 23 Jan 2008, Espy wrote:

I have just watched today’s EXTRA and am appalled by the tack they have taken with this awful news.

It is absolutely SICK to imply that Michelle Williams’ separation from Heath Ledger could be any part of the reason that he is no longer with us. EXTRA’s horrible approach to this tragedy as lost it a viewer. GET SOME TACT AND SENSITIVITY.
 
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On 23 Jan 2008, Laura wrote:

I was shocked and saddend by the news. My heart and prayers go out to his family.

 
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On 23 Jan 2008, tan wrote:

whos gonna be next
last week brad renfro, this week heath….. its just unbelivable
 
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On 23 Jan 2008, jessica & jenna wrote:

omg, are you serious?
he was incredibly blessed with his charming smile and dazzling personality. not to mention his amazing looks..

were sad. ]:

we loved him!
 
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