I know it’s been a few weeks since Heath Ledger passed away, but his death at such a young age has been on my mind, and I thought I’d dedicate today’s blog to him. Admittedly, I’m not a huge Heath Ledger fan. His name doesn’t draw me to a movie, but what I’ve read about him, and the few movies I’ve seen him in, I’ve really enjoyed. He seemed like a genuinely nice man with his share of personal problems (don’t we all?), and I’m so saddened by the fact that his life was cut so short because of an accidental overdose.
I really don’t want to fill today’s blog with comments about HOW Heath Ledger died. Rather, I wanted to talk about what I’ll remember Heath Ledger for — and that would be his role as an actor in the movies he made. The first movie I ever saw Heath in was A KNIGHT’S TALE, which I saw with my daughter, who thought that he was very cute in his role as a peasant squire who passes himself off as a Medievil knight in order to compete in a jousting competition. The movie is very tongue-in-cheek, with the setting more of a modern medievil times that is backed by the sound of Queen’s “We Will Rock You”, and the dialogue a mixture of modern-day and medieval. This movie was pure entertainment with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. We enjoyed it so much that we even have it on DVD — and I’m sure that we’ll be watching it soon in memory of Heath Ledger.
Another favorite movie that he starred in was CASANOVA. This was a movie that I originally saw with Julie when I was in Florida and we were trying to kill some time while waiting for Carly’s delayed flight to arrive. Here’s a brief synopsis of the movie: He was the world’s most notorious seducer. A swashbuckler, master of disguise and wit – it was said no woman could resist Casanova’s amorous charms. Until now. For the first time in his life, the legendary Casanova (Heath Ledger) is about to meet his match with an alluring Venetian beauty, Francesca (Sienna Miller), who does the one thing he never thought possible: refuse him. Through a series of clever disguises and scheming ruses, he manages to get ever closer to Francesca. But he is playing the most dangerous game he has ever encountered – one that will risk not only his life and reputation, but his only chance at true passion.
If you haven’t seen this movie, go out and RENT IT NOW!!! Seriously. What a fabulously fun movie! I absolutely adored it, and Heath as well. He was just so charming in his role as Casanova. This is another one I own on DVD because I enjoyed it so much.
I honestly believe that Heath was just beginning to scratch the surface of his career as an actor. I know later this year he’ll be in the next Batman movie, THE DARK KNIGHT, and I’m sure I’ll go and see it, because I’ve heard that he was absolutely fantastic as the role of the joker. I don’t doubt it at all.
So, what do you remember most about Heath Ledger? (Other than what tabloids reported about him 
) Are there any movies that he made that you enjoyed or that have become a favorite?
Janelle Denison finds it hard to believe that it’s been nearly 25 years since she first started writing romance novels. At first, it was a way to pass idle time while her husband worked swing shift, but before long it became an obsession to get published. Luckily, she kept at it (it took her over 5 years to get that first book published!) and is now a Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and USA Today Bestselling author! Now, after selling over 45 plus novels, she finds that her Plotmonkey pals help to keep her stories fresh and unique, and she can’t imagine writing a story without their input. Janelle lives in Oregon with her husband, Don, along with two teenage daughters that keep life interesting.
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My favorite of his movies that I’ve seen is Brokeback Mountain. I also watch The Order, A Knight’s Tale, and 10 Things I Hate About You when they air on tv. What a loss.
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The only Heath Ledger movie I’ve seen was “10 Things I Hate About You”, and though I’m not a huge fan, you could see his charisma right off. It is very sad that he died so young, leaving a child. I think I’ll go and add some of his movies to my Netflix.
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Janelle, you read my mind. Just yesterday I was thinking how surprised I was that none of us had touched on his death in our blog. How bizarre you did today! I saw Brokeback Mountain and I thought he was phenomenal.
My heart really breaks for his family in Australia, and especially Michelle Williams and his daughter Mathilda. So sad.
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The only movie I saw with Heath Ledger was A Knights Tale which I thoroughly enjoyed. When I heard that he had died at the age of 28 I was stunned and saddened. My first thought was of his family and how the news would turn their world upside down. He had his whole life ahead of him, he had a daughter to raise and his career was really starting to heat up. What a terrible thing.
Just after his death was announced I heard on the radio that some radical Baptist church group in Kansas…Arkansas…can’t remember the exact state and no offense to anyone chatting on this blog who lives in either of these states or is a Baptist. But they were planning to picket his funeral because of his role as a homosexual cowboy in Brokeback Mountain.
I was appalled to say the least. I couldn’t believe that anyone would do something so monstrously unfeeling to his family and friends. I won’t even get into a discussion of small minds.
I never heard if they went through with it but I’m hoping either they didn’t or they were stopped.
Anytime a young, promising life is cut short it hurts my heart.
Cher
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Cher- let them picket his funeral, it is in Australia. Should be expensive for them.
My daughter has been in mourning ever since this happened. He is really the first of her generation, big name wise, that she has “lost”. Heather really enjoyed watching Heath (I just noticed the name thing! :wallbash:) and is debating on whether she will go see The Dark Knight or not.
I loved him in 10 Things. We have all his movies. Much potential was lost with his passing. :pray:
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I love 10 Things I Hate About You (especially the scene where he sings on the bleachers) and Brokeback Mountain. He really was an amazing actor. How sad.
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I haven’t seen any of his movies but Son #1 has been waiting for Batman. He’s always been a Batman fan and he said the critics have had nothing but great things to say about his role as the Joker. It’s definitely different – much darker – than the way Jack Nicholson played it.
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The radical Baptist church is the same church that likes to picket the funerals of soldiers that have died in the line of duty.
I’ve seen several of Heath’s movies, but my favorites are The Patriot and 10 Things I Hate About You. I watch 10 Things everytime it is on tv and even own it on dvd. The big thing I will always remember about Heath is how much he loved his little girl. I love the pictures of him carrying her around on his shoulders and when she was really little always pushing her stroller. I hope one day his friends and family can express to his daughter how much her daddy loved her.
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I was on the computer when the scrolling feed came across and announced Heath was dead. This was before the news got a hold of the story. I was shocked. He was one of my favorite male actors.
I bought a Knights Tale then went back and bought the Special Edition when it was available.
I also bought Casanova and The Patriot.
With his Aussie accent and charming smile I couldn’t help myself. Even though I have a nephew his age.
Like you Janelle, I think he was just beginning to scratch the surface of his carreer. He was just a nice guy that didn’t court the media like so many of the other actors. (they drive me crazy).
He was the James Dean of this time, taken too soon.
Hopefully something good will come from his passing.
More awareness from the dangers of accidental overdose from presciption drugs and OTC drugs.
Also, death by combining drugs that different doctors presrcibe.
Warning to all- if you visit different doctors please tell them the different medicines you are already on. Write it down or take the medicine bottles with you.
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The first movie I saw with Heath Ledger was “10 Things”. I didn’t know who he was but my friend’s daughter, who I went with, said he was the next “hottie”. Guess she was right. I’ll definitely have to check out the movies you mentioned.
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Carly — Heath’s death has been on my mind since he died and I just had to say something personally. As I said, I wasn’t a huge fan, but I did like him and his work — and I can’t even imagine what his family is going through. I was so relieved when the toxicology reports came back yesterday that it was an accidental overdose on prescription meds, and not something related to other drugs. There has been so many rumors and so much speculation about what killed him running rampant, and I hope that now everyone just leaves it, and his family, alone.
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What a terrible loss for his family and friends. His daughter is so young tha you can only pray that she will have at least a couple of memories to hold onto as she grows up.
The first time I saw Heath was in “10 Things” and then “A Knights Tale”. I adored him in both movies and remember thinking he was cute. It’s a shame that the world wouldn’t see more of his talent.
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Cher & Liza — I can’t believe that ANYONE would picket a funeral — for any reason whatsoever. How disrespectful!
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I enjoyed Night’s Tale the best but I haven’t seen Brokeback Mtn yet. It’s such a tragedy when a young person dies and this one struck me hard because he seemed to have so much left to give.
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I never did see Brokeback Mountain. I think I’ll be renting it very soon.
Yes, the biggest tragedy in all this is Heath’s daughter, Matilda, and the fact that she will never truly know her daddy. But it seems like she has a wonderful support system in her mother Michelle, and Heath’s family. Especially after reading this statement from Michelle Williams:
“Please respect our need to grieve privately. My heart is broken,” Williams, 27, said in a statement released on Friday by Ledger’s rep, Reuters reports. “I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day.
“His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up with the best memories of him,” Williams’ statement concluded.
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I still can’t believe that Heath is gone. I’m 26 and this is the first time that I’ve had to deal with one of my favorite actors passing away. I loved him in 10 Things I Hate About You and A Knights Tale. And I wasn’t that crazy about Monsters Ball but he had a small role and I thought he did a good job. And I’m sure Brokeback Mountain will become one of my favorites whenever I get around to seeing it.
This has nothing to do with Heath but I wanted to mention that just a couple of days before Heath died, a well known radio personalities 2 yr. old son fell in the pool and drowned. The show is called Rick and Bubba and it was Ricks youngest son, Bronner (aka Cornbread), who passed away. They are located in Alabama but are broadcast in many states so some of you may have heard of them. Rick spoke through the majority of Bronner’s memorial service and if anyone would like to hear it, the video is on rickandbubba.com. The site is a little slow right now b/c so many people are visiting it but they are trying to fix the problem.
My thoughts go out to both of these families as they try to deal with losing a loved one.
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It really is so sad when you think of this little girl, who will be too young to actually remember her daddy
The first movie I saw of his was The Patriot, which my daughter had to watch for school…it was fantastic! I also enjoyed A knights tale, and 10 Things I hate about you, but my favorite was Casanova…it really was so good!
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I loved Ten Things I Hate About You. I can watch that movie over and over again. A Knights Tale is right up there as well.
It breaks my heart for his family and the pain they are going through. Although we will miss his acting, they will miss his living.
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Thanks for posting that statement from Michelle Williams. I am glad that his little girl is surrounded by people who love and care about her.
In regard to the picketing, it was my understanding they were going to picket the memorial service in NY. But then I heard the family is having a private service down under. Either way, I hope it wasn’t done.
Cher
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I have seen a lot of his movies and every role was so different. He played them very well and I believe that he was destined for great things. It’s such a tragedy that his life was cut short at an early age. My heart goes out to his family, especially his little girl.
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My favorite Heath movie is “10 Things I Hate About You.” It was a great teen comedy. I also thought he was great in the remake of “The Four Feathers.”
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I haven’t seen any of his movies (I am sure I have, but I can’t remember). I just remember the pictures I saw of him and his daughter. Some celebrities when they are photographed with their kids, you can tell that they are ‘accessories’, maybe I am wrong, but I don’t think that was the case with him. Hopefully, that makes sense. When I heard the news, I thought of her first (probably because I have young sons, too). So sad.
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Janelle, thanks for giving a tribute to Heath & giving us a chance to say something about his death. It is such a tragedy. I can’t imagine what his family must be going through. Having a child die at such a young age has got to be one of the hardest things to deal with and to have it so public must make it so much harder. I admire how well composed his father has been when he has made a statement. It is so sad that his daughter will grow up not knowing her daddy & having him a part of her life. My heart goes out to all of them.
The only movie I have seen Heath in was Brokeback Mountain. He was very good in his role. I will have to check out some of his other movies. He seems to have been a very talented actor with a long future ahead of him. It is so sad that the Hollywood/entertainment business is so hard on a personal life. This young man apparently had some demons he was trying to deal with. In today’s world of the Internet it is so easy to get prescription drugs without having a prescription. Being able to do that enables people to self-medicate and that is never safe especially if you are mixing drugs.
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I first saw Heath in a tv series called Roar, that aired on the Sci/Fi channel a couple of years ago. He was part of a Celtic tribe on an island that was fighting Roman’s and mystical beings, and though only 13 episodes ever aired, I really enjoyed it. I bought the dvd a couple of years ago at Amazon, so it might still be around if anyone is curious about it.
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I may be one of the few people who has never seen a Heath Ledger, so I can’t discuss
any of his work! I have seen him on various magazine shows, doing interviews and
such. What I remember most is his sweet smile and his involvement with his little
daughter. How sad that she won’t have her Daddy with her. After all these cases
of drug interactions, I had my doctor check all my meds to make sure that I won’t
ever run into that problem. I knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to me, but I
just wanted to be extra safe!
Pat Cochran
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You know, I was thinking of blog topics a few weeks ago, and I had come so close to writing one about “cute boys.” IE: Not handsome, strong movie star men that women our age are supposed to like (George Clooney) but sexy young things that dirty old women like us shouldn’t even be looking at.
Heath Ledger was # 1 on my list. I absolutely adored him. Saw him first in The Patriot and found him not only utterly beautiful to look at, but so charming, so talented, that I knew he was going to go far.
I went on to see just about every movie he’s done. The Patriot is still my favorite, though I really liked Casanova. Wasn’t 100% crazy about The Brothers Grimm, and I guess I’m one of the few people in America who didn’t like Brokeback Mountain. Not because of the gay relationship, but because of the infidelity–I could not get past it and it bothered me so much that I just couldn’t enjoy the movie. That said, his performance was extraordinary.
I really feel broken-hearted by the loss, much as I did when River Phoenix died. Another incredibly talented young artist who had tremendous potential.
The entertainment world has suffered a very sad loss. And his family an incredibly tragic personal one.
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I have never seen a movie with Ledger in it. It is just a shame that his life had to end too soon.
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I didn’t have tv or anything when he died so my mom was just chatting away and she says “oh yeah that guy who plays on brokeback mountain died.” after she told me what all happened I told hubby ( he knows I was like super obsessed HE didn’t believe me.
anyway I have every movie he’s been in but my favorite is The Patriot and in second is 10 things. I believe if this had not happened he would have been so big. :flower4you:
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I also loved A Knight’s Tale. It was silly and hilarious. My other favorite is Ten Things I Hate About You – loosely based upon the Taming of the Shrew. He was very good and it was a fun movie.
I’m sad for his family and I hope the media will soon leave them alone.
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As as actor, I dont think that America really got to know him. At least I dont feel that I did. Movies and the people that star in them almost become a part of our lives, we fall in love with them (lol mostly young girls wishing true love with them). We relate with them and their troubles. And we read about their lives in magazines. Without my daily dose of my favorite tv stars or an occasional movie with my favorite actors, I would have nothing it seems lol. Essentially many of them are just as much a part of my life as their fans are to them. But Heath was never one of those people….yet. I’d seen him in Casanova and possibly one other movie but I’m not sure. I still plan to see a Knights Tale and Broke back Mountain but I just havent gotten around to it yet. And I think that he was one of those up and coming stars who was just touching the surface of what could have been a great career for him. Batman probably will and could have made his career that much better. I’ve also hear he is amazing in the movie. Its just sad that he had to die at such a young age when life was just kick starting for him in the acting sense. And so many bad things are going on right now, like the killings at a Lane Bryant here in Illinois. Just seems like a lot of death is taking place all of a sudden. Its really sad and opens our eyes to see just how harsh life can be sometimes. Makes you take a step back and look at your life and wonder if your doing everything you can to make it the best and enjoying those around you as much as you can…in a blink of an eye it can all be gone.
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I was away from the computer that day…or else on deadline, but when I heard, I was shocked. I just knew it my heart that his death was accidental and it was a tragedy, particularly for his little girl. I pray for his family. I pray for him. I’m sorry I won’t see any more of his films. I will see The Dark Knight because I’m a huge Batman fanatic and I know he’ll be amazing in the role.
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very sad love ten things i hate about u, he was funny
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Leslie this is why I love you!!!
and I hope you decide to go ahead with this blog because I could name a few young hotties 
:happy2:
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ok so I tried to copy and paste Leslie’s comment about us dirty old ladies but it didn’t post for some reason, but that is what I was referring to.
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I loved a knights Tale and The Patriot I loved his smile in a knights tale and my heart breaks for his little girl who wil never know her father only the stories she will be told from family and friends and his movie.but unfortunatley she will never rember the times she spent with him and that is sad. :unlove:
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I’ve only seen Heath Ledger in 10 Things I Hate About You and Brokeback Mountain. I enjoyed both movies immensely and thought his performance in Brokeback was excellent.
My thoughts are with his family and friends, and I know he is watching over his loved ones, especially his young daughter.
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I don’t watch much movies unless they are recommended to me, so I definitely will plan to rent these.
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I love A Knights Tale, 10 things I hate about you and The Patriot.