First Brad Renfro... now Heath Ledger... 2008 Sucks

[ResidentAlien]

Indeed.

RIP both of them.

[Hawkeye]

Turning out to be one crappy year. He won't get to see "Dark Knight" on the big screen. I'm with ya, ResidentAlien. RIP indeed.

[barranca]

That really is a shock, and a damned shame. What a loss.

[trippweeder]

This stinks. It's almost beyond belief.

[metalinvader]

Unreal....It sounds like it may be suicide.The NY times claims that pills were found near his body.

A damn shame...

[Hawkeye]

It was a drug overdose, so it could have been suicide or it could have been accidental. We may never know.

[Eric Solo]

Heath Ledger was found dead today by his housekeeper. It is an apparent drug related death. Shocking. He will be missed. RIP

[Aaron H]

What?!
I'm totally blown away...so sad. :(

[deckard24]

What horrible, horrible news!

[ResidentAlien]

It's being reported that the pills were prescription. It hasn't been said what they were prescribed for though...

[trippweeder]

The Dark Knight will be a very bittersweet experience. A terrible waste.

[oki9Sedo]

This is a big shock, and very sad news. RIP.

[yodazone]

So sad. only 28 and had it all. poor guy.

[Deckard]

This is terrible, shocking news. I look very much forward to The Dark Knight and cannot believe this has happened. Very Sad.

RIP Heath

[Aaron H]

So sad. only 28 and had it all. poor guy.
You can never have it all.

[Adamwankenobi]

I saw this on the IMDb. What a horrible loss. :( Why do all the good ones have to die? Why couldn't it have been someone like Paris Hilton instead?

[AlivePoet]

Definitely among my favourite actors of this generation. Dang. This is very sad.

[Deckard]

From IMDB :

Actor Heath Ledger was found dead at a Manhattan apartment Tuesday afternoon in what appeared to be a possible drug-related death; he was 28. The actor was discovered in one of the SoHo apartment's bedrooms at 3:31 p.m., when a masseuse arrived for a scheduled appointment and the residence's housekeeper went to inform the actor of the masseuse's arrival. He was found unconscious and unresponsive; the New York Times stated that the apartment in question belonged to actress Mary-Kate Olsen, who was not present and was believed to be out of state. An initial police report also cited by the New York Times said that foul play was not suspected and that pills had been found near Ledger's body. A native of Australia, Ledger shot to fame as a teen heartthrob in 10 Things I Hate About You before graduating to more adult roles, most notably his Oscar-nominated turn in Brokeback Mountain. Engaged at one time to Brokeback co-star Michelle Williams, the two had a daughter but had split in recent months. Earlier this year, Ledger wrapped filming on the Batman film The Dark Knight, in which he played The Joker; the film is currently set for release this summer. Further details of the actor's death were not available at press time. --IMDb staff

Mary Kate Olsen?

[Flannery10]

I saw this on the IMDb. What a horrible loss. :( Why do all the good ones have to die? Why couldn't it have been someone like Paris Hilton instead?

Heath Ledger was a great actor and seeing The Dark Knight will always be overshadowed by his death for me, but we should never, wish someone to be dead, even if it's someone like Paris Hilton. That was a terrible thing to say, Adam!:down:

[Deckard]

From Extra.com

Extra" has received the following statement from Alan Horn, President & COO, Warner Bros. and Jeff Robinov, President, Warner Bros. Pictures Group, the studio behind Heath Ledger's upcoming film, "The Dark Knight":

"The studio is stunned and devastated by this tragic news. The entertainment community has lost an enormous talent. Heath was a brilliant actor and an exceptional person. Our hearts go out to his family and friends."

[Hawkeye]

What the heck was he doing in Mary Kate Olsen's apartment, anyway? Bet you she's regretting being out of town.

[San Holo]

Tragic news, but sadly it's all too common news. Talented, young, and rich, with all the world has to offer-all taken away in a blink of the eye-because of drugs. From Marilyn Monroe and Elvis to River Phoenix, down to Kurt Cobain, Chris Farley, and Ledger-the world will miss out on their unfinished works, the art that they will never create. Very sad that these people could not cope with having it all, and let their addictions overtake them. Heath Ledger was a great actor and had so much potential in this life, but the real tragedy in this story is that a little girl now has to grow up without a Daddy.

[Hawkeye]

Aaron, you just hit the nail on the head right there. Props, man.

[Dr. Mulbray]

It´s something terrible! I dont even no what to say!

[Bjorn Heimdall]

Just awful. Rest in Peace, Heath.

[Niteshade007]

Tragic news, but sadly it's all too common news. Talented, young, and rich, with all the world has to offer-all taken away in a blink of the eye-because of drugs. From Marilyn Monroe and Elvis to River Phoenix, down to Kurt Cobain, Chris Farley, and Ledger-the world will miss out on their unfinished works, the art that they will never create. Very sad that these people could not cope with having it all, and let their addictions overtake them.

Very well put, and you are right, sadly this is something that happens to people who have trouble coping.

[Indy's Fist]

Goddamn it man! I just hate to hear this! Fabulous actor and person, what a waste.

I was looking so forward to The Dark Knight. This will make it hard to watch the movie.

[roundshort]

man, i was hoping for a knights tale 2! dang

[Hawkeye]

Check out what this idiot on IGN had to say about it. (Not the guy who wrote the article, the guy named "goshuntoku".) That's just wrong.

http://stars.ign.com/articles/846/846901p1.html

[WhipItGood]

If it helps, to update this sad story with later-breaking reports:

1) The apartment did not belong to M-K Olsen, it's believed to be Ledger's own apartment. The Olsen sisters live in a near but separate building.

2) Early reports about pills being found in the bed near the body were retracted by authorities. Last news I read was that prescription pills were found in a bottle in the bedroom and others in the bathroom, but they were in containers. No word yet on the exact prescriptions.

3) The family of Ledger released a statement that police told them no evidence of suicide was immediately evident, despite news reports. They also say that Ledger may have had pneumonia and was ill at the time of his death. No confirmation if this had any role in his death until results from Wednesday's autopsy are final and released (which could be days or weeks from now).

Intentional, accidental or natural, this is a sad loss of a talented actor with a great career ahead of him. Watching his work in TDK this summer will be an eerie, haunting experience. Peace to him.

[Hawkeye]

A promising young man is dead. So no, it doesn't help.

[Adamwankenobi]

Heath Ledger was a great actor and seeing The Dark Knight will always be overshadowed by his death for me, but we should never, wish someone to be dead, even if it's someone like Paris Hilton. That was a terrible thing to say, Adam!:down:

Oh, I wasn't wishing death exactly. I was stating how I feel that the mortality of two Hollywood actors should have been reversed, based on the fact that Heath Ledger would bring something positive to the world, while Paris Hilton more than likely never will. I would liked to have seen Ledger go on to a successful career, but quite frankly, I couldn't care less what happens to Paris Hilton. Be honest, if she died tomorrow, would you really mourn her loss? I'm not trying to be mean, that's just how I feel.

[IndyFalco]

If heath were here, I'd say:

I can't wait to see you give the performance of a lifetime in the dark knight.
By the way, Knights Tale, even if people didn't like it, I f***ing loved it !!!
You take care of yourself now.


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[Bjorn Heimdall]

Check out what this idiot on IGN had to say about it. (Not the guy who wrote the article, the guy named "goshuntoku".) That's just wrong.

http://stars.ign.com/articles/846/846901p1.html


Try visiting his imdb board, there are mods working fulltime deleting the crap being showeled over him there:down:

[Sankara]

Very sad news. This reminds me to the River P.-Tragedy.

RIP Heath

[fixer79]

Very sad news. This reminds me to the River P.-Tragedy.

RIP Heath

That's exactly what I thought when I heard the news yesterday on tv...
Another promising actor left us way too soon. A very sad day...
May he rest in peace.

[kongisking]

That's exactly what I thought when I heard the news yesterday on tv...
Another promising actor left us way too soon. A very sad day...
May he rest in peace.

I thought it was more like the whole Brandon Lee/Crow movie incident! Frick, this is just unbelievably terrible! Dark Knight is DOOOOOOOOOMED!

Say it with me! Dark Knight is screwed! Dark Knight is screwed! Dark Knight is screwed! NOOOOOOOOOOO! RIP, Mr. Ledger! Ugh, am I depressed!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :dead:

P.S. Sorry folks for that "Heath is DEAD!!!" thread I put up. It was only after I clicked the "post" button that I saw this thread for the first time. My apologies.

Finn, you might as well go to work. *SIIIIIIIIGH!*

[Finn]

P.S. Sorry folks for that "Heath is DEAD!!!" thread I put up. It was only after I clicked the "post" button that I saw this thread for the first time. My apologies.

Finn, you might as well go to work. *SIIIIIIIIGH!* Yeah, sure deal. By the way, investing some XP into enchancing "awareness" attribute shouldn't sound like a bad idea.

RIP Heath. Remember, only the good die young!

[Shazam]

Reminds me of James Dean. My prayers are with his family.

[Flannery10]

Perhaps he will even get nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the Joker. He was a great actor and once again we see that the good guys, die way too early.

As for you Adam, I didn't mean to be harsh, but I was pretty much shocked to hear about Heath Ledger and even though his death is a terrible loss, Paris Hilton is not an evil person, just a pretty stupid person, that's all!

[ResidentAlien]

Perhaps he will even get nominated for Best Supporting Actor for the Joker. He was a great actor and once again we see that the good guys, die way too early.

Bah. I keep hearing that! The movie isn't even out yet and already people are talking about giving him an Academy Award! He doesn't need a pity nod. If his performance is good, that's one thing. We don't even know that it is yet. You don't give someone an award for dying. At least not an award like that.

It's very sad that he died. But enough with this pity crap. If anything it's exploitative of his passing.

[Flannery10]

Bah. I keep hearing that! The movie isn't even out yet and already people are talking about giving him an Academy Award! He doesn't need a pity nod. If his performance is good, that's one thing. We don't even know that it is yet. You don't give someone an award for dying. At least not an award like that.



I didn't mean it like that, but rather that his unusual performance as a villain might give him one, since his acting in the trailer looks rather promising.

[Indy_Chic]

Rest in Peace Heath. You sure are going to be missed terribly. :(

[Dr.Sartorius]

I couldn't believe it when I first heard about it.

Even though he already had a great career, he would have gone on to bigger and greater things.


I hope he gets top billing for The Dark Knight. And I'm sure it will be dedicated to him.
I admit I doubted his casting when I first heard he was going to play the Joker. But after I saw some of the new photos of him in costume and after I saw the trailer - I was convinced. I'm looking forward to seeing him in the movie more than ever now.

http://popculturewilleatitself.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/dark-knight-4.jpg

[No Ticket]

Bah. I keep hearing that! The movie isn't even out yet and already people are talking about giving him an Academy Award! He doesn't need a pity nod. If his performance is good, that's one thing. We don't even know that it is yet. You don't give someone an award for dying. At least not an award like that.

It's very sad that he died. But enough with this pity crap. If anything it's exploitative of his passing.

It's disrespectful to him and his craft. He wouldn't want someone to give "him" the award because he died. That's dumb.

It's very sad. It's too bad the world will never get to see what other great roles he could've gotten. It will definitely be strange seeing The Dark Knight knowing he isn't with us anymore.

I too, am sure they will dedicate the movie to him... and rightfully so. I think the most horrible part of the story is that his little girl doesn't have a daddy anymore and that she will have to be reminded of him over and over through the media and TDK and other things.

[AlivePoet]

As much as I liked Heath as an actor, really, it grieves me to think that we've come to a point in society where we seem to value celebrities' lives more than others. If you heard about a starving mother die in Uganda, you might feel a slight sentiment of sadness, but because you never "knew" her the way you know celebrities through their public presence on screen and in the media, you probably wouldn't feel the same sentiment or loss.

Honestly, thousands die every day. People who could aspire to great things if they had the chance but never did. Heath was fortunate in his lifetime to have a chance. But that doesn't make his death any more of a loss in the bigger picture of the world's framework than anyone else. Social equality has been severely compromised due to publicity and the media. We never really knew Heath except for his on-screen presence; that's really what we're going to miss. We're not going to miss the real man, and wouldn't unless if we knew him personally. This is a great time to remember that actors, as immortalized as they are on film, are as mortal as anyone else in the real world. This is the real world. And there are millions dying now.

Rant wrapped.

[Little Indy]

It was a shock to me. Another shocker is that I just found out today at work he played the Joker in the Dark Knight movie. I had no clue even after seeing the preview. I really liked the Patriot and Knight's Tale. Damn I'll never watch those flicks the same way again.

[Attila the Professor]

As much as I liked Heath as an actor, really, it grieves me to think that we've come to a point in society where we seem to value celebrities' lives more than others. If you heard about a starving mother die in Uganda, you might feel a slight sentiment of sadness, but because you never "knew" her the way you know celebrities through their public presence on screen and in the media, you probably wouldn't feel the same sentiment or loss.

Honestly, thousands die every day. People who could aspire to great things if they had the chance but never did. Heath was fortunate in his lifetime to have a chance. But that doesn't make his death any more of a loss in the bigger picture of the world's framework than anyone else. Social equality has been severely compromised due to publicity and the media. We never really knew Heath except for his on-screen presence; that's really what we're going to miss. We're not going to miss the real man, and wouldn't unless if we knew him personally. This is a great time to remember that actors, as immortalized as they are on film, are as mortal as anyone else in the real world. This is the real world. And there are millions dying now.

Rant wrapped.

This seems partially valid to me though. One of the great problems that came with the Enlightenment was the concept of cosmopolitanism, whereby the value of all is to be considered equal. This is true, perhaps, but we still must surely value those who are close to us more. We might admire the idealist who, say, trades away his mother's life for the life of one hundred villagers somewhere, but I think we also have to say that in some sense their priorities are deeply out of whack. Our first responsibility is and must be to those closest to us, especially when they have served to sustain our own lives.

Our fascination with and concern for celebrities is surely an extension of this, perhaps even one resulting from a confusion of our tribal or animal instincts for preservation of our own genes and societies. There may be something skewed about this, but I'm not prepared to say how much. All human lives have equal value, but the additional benefits (or demerits) to our cultures and societies that they bring vary greatly. A great artist, which Heath Ledger may be or may have become, is one of those, who can help us to articulate who we are and what we value. That is a definite loss.

[Finn]

Gotta give a +1 to the statements of the Poet and the Prof. An untimely death of a celebrity always seems to glorify his or her career and often to a porportions that might feel little... off, once we start really rationalizing with the thought. It's especially getting ridiculous if we name him or her "the best there ever was in his field", like there seems to be happened with guitarist Kurt Cobain, songwright John Lennon (quick, Bono, jump off the roof!) or racecar driver Ayrton Senna just to mention a few examples.

No one's called Ledger the best here however, but at least in my opinion he seems to suddenly get a lot more recognition than just three days ago. Sure, A Knight's Tale was a fun romp and Brokeback Mountain... well, certainly a good movie but didn't exactly help boost Heath's career around here (http://raven.theraider.net/showthread.php?t=9796). Heh. Now, the Dark Knight... keep in mind, we haven't even seen the movie yet! It's going to be an eerie experience for certain, but in the end, just another day, just another role.

Premature loss of a human life is always a waste, but like stated already, even if we do know his name, it's still nothing to make him a saint.

[indifan101]

It just goes to show you even with fame fortune and money you can still be un-happy

[Indy]

sad news :(

[Deckard]

Yea so E.T is showing this video where he appears to be doing coke and speaks about how he "smoked 5 joints a day for years." All in all its in bad taste if you ask me. More general exploitation of a man's death. We all have our problems but what i rly dislike about it is the video is years old.

[Joe Brody]

. . . and Brokeback Mountain... well, certainly a good movie but didn't exactly help boost Heath's career around here (http://raven.theraider.net/showthread.php?t=9796). Heh. Now, the Dark Knight...


. . .another gem (http://raven.theraider.net/showthread.php?t=9345&highlight=brokeback).

[roundshort]

. . .another gem (http://raven.theraider.net/showthread.php?t=9345&highlight=brokeback).


Ahhh the good old days!

[herr gruber]

And to add to the losses, Britain has lost one of it's premier entertainers - TV presenter Jeremy Beadle. R.I.P Jezzer.:hat: