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Born: April 4, 1979 – Died: January 22, 2008
Heath Ledger, a striking young actor whose depth and versatility became the subject of critical acclaim, began life in Perth, Western Australia. Son to Sally Ledger, a French teacher, and Kim Ledger, a mining engineer and car racer, Heath was descended from a mix of Scottish, English, Irish, and Sephardi Jewish ancestry. While he navigated the waters of Hollywood, this Aussie native left an indelible mark on the film industry.
Early Life and Career
Ledger's journey started in a compulsory drama class in junior high—an alternative to cooking that he opted for, little knowing it would set his life's trajectory. Despite a lackluster start in his peers' eyes, Ledger's talent was undeniable. At seventeen, he made the bold move to Sydney, seeking the limelight with less than a dollar in his pocket.
His early acting foray came with a minor role in the movie "Blackrock". However, it was his performance in the television show "Sweat" as a gay cyclist that turned heads, despite the show's brief lifespan. It wasn't until his portrayal of a brooding bad boy in "10 Things I Hate About You" (1999) that Ledger began to emerge as a serious actor.
His breakthrough, however, came with "Brokeback Mountain" (2005), a role that showcased his ability to dive into complex characters, earning him an Oscar nomination. The part that sealed his stardom was the Joker in The Dark Knight (2008), a role that posthumously brought him more than thirty awards, including the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Ledger's personal life was as dynamic as his career, dabbling in music video production and directing, with aspirations to sit in the director's chair for feature films. His untimely passing at the age of 28 shook the industry, but his legacy in the annals of Hollywood remains untarnished, underlined by a captivating talent that defied early typecasting. Heath Ledger's contribution to cinema is not just in the memorable characters he brought to life, but in the standard he set for passionate and transformative acting.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus | Tony |
| 2008 | *The Dark Knight* | Joker |
| 2007 | I'm Not There | Robbie |
| 2006 | Candy: Deleted Scenes | Video |
| 2006 | Candy | Dan |
| 2005 | Casanova | Casanova |
| 2005 | *Brokeback Mountain* | Ennis Del Mar |
| 2005 | The Brothers Grimm | Jacob Grimm |
| 2005 | Lords of Dogtown | Skip |
| 2003 | The Order | Alex Bernier |
| 2003 | Ned Kelly | Ned Kelly |
| 2002 | The Four Feathers | Harry Feversham |
| 2001 | Monster's Ball | Sonny Grotowski |
| 2001 | A Knight's Tale | William Thatcher |
| 2000 | The Patriot | Gabriel Martin |
| 1999 | 10 Things I Hate About You: Outtakes | Video | Patrick Verona |
| 1999 | Two Hands | Jimmy |
| 1999 | 10 Things I Hate About You | Patrick Verona |
| 1997 | Roar (TV Series) | Conor |
| 1997 | Paws | Oberon |
| 1997 | Home and Away (TV Series) | Scott Irwin |
| 1997 | Blackrock | Toby |
| 1996 | Sweat (TV Series) | Snowy Bowles |
| 1993–1994 | Ship to Shore (TV Series) | Cyclist |
| 1992 | Clowning Around (TV Movie) | Orphan Clown (uncredited) |