Heath Ledger has been found dead. His body was discovered this afternoon at around 3:30 PM by his housekeeper in his SoHo home. At the age of 28, he is survived by his two-year-old daughter with his former fiancee Michelle Williams. Apparently, the housekeeper had gone into Heath's room to alert him that his masseuse for his massage had arrived and that's when he was found. This information was released by NYPD rep, Paul Browne.
At that point, the New York Fire Dept. received a call in response to a "cardiac arrest call."
As far as it's known, the actor was found "surrounded by pills" and was by himself.
The "Brokeback Mountain" star was set to take on the role of Joker for the latest installment in the Batman movie series, "The Dark Knight."
UPDATE: The Broome Street apartment was mistakenly believed to be owned by Mary-Kate Olsen, who happened to be on the West Coast in California at the time. However, this does not appear to be true. At this point, police do not seem to believe there was foul play involved in his death and it seems to have been ruled accidental.
A police spokeswoman has revealed that the pills are over-the-counter sleeping pills. Reportedly, the actor had experienced substance abuse problems in the past, but had never been in rehab.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation has released the following statement about his death:
"Heath Ledger will forever be remembered for his groundbreaking role as Ennis del Mar in Brokeback Mountain. His powerful portrayal changed hearts and minds in immeasurable ways. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends."
Photos: WENN
Another crack-head down says:
Well, at least he won't ruin the new batman movie! He should have tried to take that shrill muggie gyginhymen with him.
T-Bone says:
Tragic.
Chaz says:
I always thought Gyllenhaal would go first.
OK, that's terrible. Sorry. It's obviously quite sad, although I'd be lying if I said I gave any thought to Ledger when I wasn't watching a movie he was in...this will certainly make marketing for the Batman movie kind of tricky.
DollfaceT says:
What is going on? Can these celebrities not learn from the tragedy that precedes them? Let's hope there are some kids out there whose lives are saved due to the witnessing of this debacle.
shocked says:
this is so sad.
shocked says:
this is so sad.
DollfaceT says:
What is going on? Can these celebrities not learn from the tragedy that precedes them? Let's hope there are some kids out there whose lives are saved due to the witnessing of this debacle.
NO! says:
BULLSHIT BULLSHIT!!! ITS NOT TRUE! THIS CAN'T BE TRUE! HE'S GOT A LITTLE GIRL HE WOULDNT DO THAT! no! HE'S GOT A BABY... HE IS NOT DEAD NO....NOT HEATH NO WAY...NO THIS STORY IS BOGUS!!!!!! i DONT BELIEVE IT.
Drew B says:
I'm shocked. Seriously, my blood ran cold when I saw the bulletin. This is tragic in every way.
T-Bone says:
Seriously, those of you out here who find this funny, or find this something to snark about...FAR more messed up in the head than he ever was. Grow up.
sara says:
i hope it is a fake, but it is all over the news sites too
nyc says:
Sorry to disappoint. The Dark Knight is in post-production.
NO! says:
BULLSHIT BULLSHIT!!! ITS NOT TRUE! THIS CAN'T BE TRUE! HE'S GOT A LITTLE GIRL HE WOULDNT DO THAT! no! HE'S GOT A BABY... HE IS NOT DEAD NO....NOT HEATH NO WAY...NO THIS STORY IS BOGUS!!!!!! i DONT BELIEVE IT.
Jen says:
My god that's tragic - drugs or not Hollyweird sucks up another talent and lets them die alone. Brad Renfro last week. Who's next?
nyc says:
Sorry to disappoint. The Dark Knight is in post-production.
sara says:
i hope it is a fake, but it is all over the news sites too
sexyback says:
Dude, Crack-head, you are messed up. In fact, you're an asshole. This is terribly sad and tragic news.
Chaz says:
This might be a good place to say that NO ONE KNOWS YET how he died, so saying things like "will celebrities ever learn" are being just a little premature.
DollfaceT says:
So true....Britney, Lindsey, Amy Whinehouse, etc. better take note--you are NOT invincible!! Any of us could go at any minute--we should all take account of lives. This is so saddening
dajoro says:
I'm going to be the a-hole who nitpicks the posted article.
A] She was his former fiance, yes. That ended when they got married.
B] He's done with Batman. Well, he was done. He was already filming another movie.
And I'm shocked and saddened.
Jokes on you says:
OH< BUT HE IS DEAD. OD'd in his bed.
Wake up. He was a self-absorbed stoned actor who didn't give two sh1ts about anyone but himself. He wasn't thinking about that little girl while he was sitting in bed popping pills at 3 in the afternoon. Good riddance to bad rubbage.
T-bone...go preach to someone who gives a rats ass.
hairyback...mmmm, bite me.
Jokes on him says:
OH< BUT HE IS DEAD. OD'd in his bed.
Wake up. He was a self-absorbed stoned actor who didn't give two sh1ts about anyone but himself. He wasn't thinking about that little girl while he was doping up. Good riddance to bad rubbage.
T-bone...go preach to someone who gives a rats ass.
hairyback...mmmm, bite me.
elvira says:
yet britney marches on
El says:
That is beyond sad. He had such a fire within him. You could see it in his smile. And he was only 28, too; he'd hardly lived his life.
me says:
you're right the "will celebrities ever learn" is a little premature.
cause they will NEVER learn. they are rewarded for their eccentricities, celebrated when they overcome their addictions and enabled to dive into them again.
fucking hollywood.
blah says:
Wow, I can say I didn't see this one coming at all. This is totally random. I know this is bad, but I was for sure thinking that the next young celebrity to go would be Britney. This is really sad.
ashlee says:
I think this is very sad,He seemed like one of the good guys of Hollywood.
El says:
That is beyond sad. He had such a fire within him. You could see it in his smile. And he was only 28, too; he'd hardly lived his life.
Chaz says:
What about this rumor going around that he was with M-K Olson??
Amber says:
This just breaks my heart.
MAGS says:
He totally didn't kill himself or OD-- for all you know he had a heart murmer.... Everyone has to sensationalize......
MAGS says:
He totally didn't kill himself or OD-- for all you know he had a heart murmer.... Everyone has to sensationalize......
sad for his daughter says:
It's so sad, that poor little girl won't grow up knowing her father.
What El said says:
Oh El...that wasn't fire....he was STONED!
Nanc' says:
I'm a bit surprised. I still remember him from The Patriot and that tv movie with Lynda Carter set in Colonial times. I didn't see it coming.
chrischris says:
So sad , such talent and a cutie
Money fame doesnt by happiness I would never figure him for a druggie but who knows young hollywood wake up
mathilde says:
I didn't believe the head line..I thought it had to be some kind of a joke..I have not seen one movie with Heath Ledger, but I have heard so much about him in the media..This is just tragic and heart breaking.
mathilde says:
I didn't believe the head line..I thought it had to be some kind of a joke..I have not seen one movie with Heath Ledger, but I have heard so much about him in the media..This is just tragic and heart breaking.
misc says:
I'm really shocked! I really like Heath Ledger. I can't believe this happened. It's horrible.
lindsey says:
stevenjaba says:
To Jokes
Making a lot of assumptions, aren't you?
You're a mean person.
Molly says:
Just saw this on Amsterdam late news. I am shocked. I loved him as an actor. Poor bloke and poor family. And, yes, stop prejudging folk, since when did you all become coroners?
lindsey says:
http://www.redlasso.com/ClipPlayer.aspx?id=0d6ba03e-c4a4-472e-bf45-5cac9c600519
superstitious says:
They say bad things happen in threes: Brad R., Heath....who's next?
joan durtz says:
If it was suicide I really feel sorry for his little girl that he left behind. I also don't have much sympathy for people who commit such a selfish act.
I hope it was an accident
WhereSheShops says:
What a tragedy...
So sad. He will be missed. Poor little Matilda.
What A Waste says:
Lindsay? Britney? Amy? Pete? Are any of you "getting" this?? IF drugs did indeed take Heath Ledger off of this earth WAYYY before his time, then maybe it's time to WAKE up and smell the reality here. Drugs kill, period, you self-absorbed, dumber-than-a-box-of-rocks, "celebrities".
peachpie says:
sad, sad news.
thanks for staying on top of it, asl.
FuntKase says:
A] She was his former fiance, yes. That ended when they got married.
They never got married, idiot.
B] He's done with Batman. Well, he was done. He was already filming another movie.
He was not filming another movie, moron. He had been turning down roles.
Don't nitpick when you don't know what your'e talking about. Asshole is right.
Sue says:
so sad.
I agree with T-Bone.
For you peeps who make remarks like the comment from post #1 and the one from 'Jokes on you" has major issues.
I feel for his daughter who will grow up without her dad.
Jules says:
I think we should all stop trying to guess what happened and to judge him...No matter what happened, he doesn't deserve this, and neither does his family. May he rest in peace.
girlygirl says:
Some people use humor to deal with tragedy. Yes, its inappropriate but shock and grief don't necessarily have protocol.
I think its also important to distinguish between accidental od and suicide. Suicide implies he left his daughter on purpose and I find that hard to believe.
Finally, nobody posting here truly knows dick about the details. The relevant thing is that he was talented, a father, and gone too soon. God rest his soul and bless his family and friends.
mike says:
So sad...to see the last picture taken of Heath ( it was taken yesterday), go to WhyFame.com
jason says:
sometimes it pays not to be famous with all the excess!
jason says:
sometimes it pays not to be famous with all the excess!
Des says:
Superstitious you are right they do come in threes and there are so many messed up in the head right now to know who it is. This is really sad and I'm praying for his family. This is unreal!!
girlygirl says:
Suzanne Pleshette
Not a big star of late, but very big when she was on Newhart. She died yesterday or the day before which makes Ledger #3.
Grazia (Italy) says:
Oh my God... I've just read it and I still can't believe!! Heath was very handsome and talented, one of my favourite! Poor Michelle!!
R.I.P. Heath, my prayers tonight are for you!
Grazia (Italy) says:
Oh my God... I've just read it and I still can't believe!! Heath was very handsome and talented, one of my favourite! Poor Michelle!!
R.I.P. Heath, my prayers tonight are for you!
Grazia (Italy) says:
Oh my God... I've just read it and I still can't believe!! Heath was very handsome and talented, one of my favourite! Poor Michelle!!
R.I.P. Heath, my prayers tonight are for you!
carla says:
heath died of complications as he was suffering pneumonia at the time of his death. heartbreaking that he wasnt alone. more heartbreaking for his little girl, michelle and his mum and dad let alone all his admirers of his fantastic body of work. what a nightmare. goodbye mate.
carla says:
heath died of complications as he was suffering pneumonia at the time of his death. heartbreaking that he was alone. more heartbreaking for his little girl, michelle and his mum and dad let alone all his admirers of his fantastic body of work. what a nightmare. goodbye mate.
Sasha says:
I thought it was a joke and ge was not giving interviews cause he hated the media OMG.
Loob says:
I have a little more information: He had pneumonia at the time, and they were NOT illicit drugs. "Representatives of the family said police had advised them his death was entirely accidental."
I don't know, but that's what the Australian newspaper *The Age* is reporting.
fairmaidenvoyage says:
His death is such a waste of talent. Why does it seem to be happening more and more lately with young stars.
Minnie says:
So here comes the acid test for Britney's REAL state of mind. Either a) she's suffering from a pathological desire for attention,
or b) severely mentally ill.
Given that today everyone is so stunned and focussed on this terrible, ghastly tragedy, she will show us her true colours. If she needs attention, she'll pull a HUGE stunt in the next 24 hours.
If she doesn't, we'll know she's seriously ill. God, this is a pretty grim prospect all round for everyone.
fairmaidenvoyage says:
His death is such a waste of talent. Why does it seem to be happening more and more lately with young stars. He will be missed...
Ugh says:
It's sad when anyone dies, but unfortunately they do and this one sounds like an accident. Hopefully it was. Whoever is making jokes about death is as low as they come. This isn't just a celebrity thing. I type autopy reports for a living, I know......how exciting, NOT. And it's amazing at how many accidental overdoses I type.
Ugh says:
It's sad when anyone dies, but unfortunately they do and this one sounds like an accident. Hopefully it was. Whoever is making jokes about death is as low as they come. This isn't just a celebrity thing. I type autopy reports for a living, I know......how exciting, NOT. And it's amazing at how many accidental overdoses I type.
Chaz says:
People have died of severe untreated pneumonia, Jim Henson probably being the most famous case. I'm not saying that's what happened here, but if he did have pneumonia that would be a possibility.
jemmy says:
Funny how these sites say how "tragic" it all is now when in fact they were ripping on Health only a couple of weeks ago.
Stop hating people!
jemmy says:
Umm, that´s Heath
jemmy says:
Umm, that´s Heath
gerard Vandenberg says:
I don't give a FUCK!!
btw: BATMAN IS SAVED!!
Jenn says:
Whatever girlygirl!
People out here making fun aren't doing it
because they're going through the grieving process. They're being A-holes. Quit
defending idiots.
Fruju. says:
Jokes on you:
your basically just an aaverage asshole arent you?
bit jealous maybe cos he was 387452380523 times more talented and succesful then scum like you will ever be.
funny how your own bitterness exposes itself.
heath ledgar was one of the best actors of our time,
and as a young up-and-coming/training actress myself,
this is totally devastating news.
i admired and idolised this man who moved to melbourne at 16 and got there with 60cents in his bank, later becoming an acting legend.
RIP HEATH.
Fruju. says:
Jokes on you:
your basically just an aaverage asshole arent you?
bit jealous maybe cos he was 387452380523 times more talented and succesful then scum like you will ever be.
funny how your own bitterness exposes itself.
heath ledgar was one of the best actors of our time,
and as a young up-and-coming/training actress myself,
this is totally devastating news.
i admired and idolised this man who moved to melbourne at 16 and got there with 60cents in his bank, later becoming an acting legend.
RIP HEATH.
Fruju. says:
Jokes on you:
your basically just an average asshole arent you?
bit jealous maybe cos he was 387452380523 times more talented and succesful then scum like you will ever be.
funny how your own bitterness exposes itself.
heath ledgar was one of the best actors of our time,
and as a young up-and-coming/training actress myself,
this is totally devastating news.
i admired and idolised this man who moved to melbourne at 16 and got there with 60cents in his bank, later becoming an acting legend.
RIP HEATH.
Fruju. says:
Jokes on you:
your basically just an average asshole arent you?
bit jealous maybe cos he was 387452380523 times more talented and succesful then scum like you will ever be.
funny how your own bitterness exposes itself.
heath ledgar was one of the best actors of our time,
and as a young up-and-coming/training actress myself,
this is totally devastating news.
i admired and idolised this man who moved to melbourne at 16 and got there with 60cents in his bank, later becoming an acting legend.
RIP HEATH.
Fruju. says:
Jokes on you:
your basically just an average asshole arent you?
bit jealous maybe cos he was 387452380523 times more talented and succesful then scum like you will ever be.
funny how your own bitterness exposes itself.
you obviously have no idea of the pressures someone like heath would've come uner, being a nobody yourself, and as for assuming he was a druggie, why the hell would you jump to such a conclusion, they were SLEEPING PILLS and it could've been a one of. he's been under a lot of stress you pathetic asshole.
heath ledgar was one of the best actors of our time,
and as a young up-and-coming/training actress myself,
this is totally devastating news.
i admired and idolised this man who moved to melbourne at 16 and got there with 60cents in his bank, later becoming an acting legend.
RIP HEATH.
CelebrityFanChat Raph says:
Shocking news. May he rest in peace
Louise says:
The last photos of Heath Ledger, taken on set in London make him look so different. His hair is darker, his face is sad and "anguished". He truly was not himself and suffering from an addiction, or great depression. He looked thin, and truly unhappy....didn't anyone around him see all this? Could they not have gotten him help? Is all that matters the productions of these two last movies? Why didn't Heath matter more to the people that cared about him???? This is such a tragedy. Also for Michelle and Matilda, whom he truly loved. To see Heath and Michelle together, you can tell they really loved each other deeply. A beautiful family is now ruined.