Legacy Matters
The news that Heath Ledger was dead at 28 shocked everyone who knew him personally and those who knew him only through his acting. HIs great fame came with particularly in Brokeback Mountain. He was very good at seeming sadly troubled. He said of his character Ennis
"The challenge was to capture the stillness of him. I have kind of semi-frantic, nervous energy. Harnassing that was something I thought I'd have to work out. Shooting in the wilderness, the stillness became like this innate quality
Of course, being a celebrity death, we learn every small detail of how his dead body was discovered in Soho by the housekeeper and a masseuse. Were pills strewn all around? Was it suicide? Was he troubled or happy? Distraught over the breakup of his relationship with Michelle Williams? Despairing over his separation from their 2-year-old daughter Matilda Rose? Most likely it was the mixing of prescription drugs for sleeping and anxiety that lead to the accidental overdose.
All these questions and more will be endlessly asked and debated as our culture's celebrity maw likes nothing better than the sudden death of a talented young star.
But first of all, he was somebody's father, lover, son, brother and friend and for them this is a great tragedy and to them condolences.
Said his grieving father in Perth,
He was a down-to-earth, generous, kind-hearted, life-loving and unselfish individual who was an inspiration to many.
It's very sad to see a young life of such promise cut short.