After the splendid success of the recently released movie Joker, Joaquin Phoenix is getting highly praised all over the world.
His iconic role as Joker in the movie has set a mark of another level in the film industry.
Phoenix has brought an entirely new energy to the character.
However, despite his magnificent role, audience claim to still miss legend Heath Ledger for his incredible performance.
Heath Ledger left such a spark as Joker, which I think no one could or would ever replace.
Now, when everyone is busy talking about the new movie Joker, let’s give a moment to remember the acting legend who died too young.
For those who don’t know much about Heath Ledger aka Heathcliff Andrew Ledger, here’s everything you need to know.
Early Life
Heathcliff Andrew Ledger was born in Perth, Australia on the 4th of April 1979 to Kim and Sally Ledger.
His mother Sally was a teacher who taught French, his father Kim pursued a career in race car driving.
He and his sister, were reportedly named after two main characters in Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights.
Ledger also had two half-sisters: Ashleigh Bell and Olivia Ledger, both of whom were born into his parent’s second marriage.
Heath Ledger pursued his primary education at institutions including Mary’s Mount Primary School and Guildford Grammar School.
Ledger was passionate of playing chess and eventually, he won Western Australia’s Junior Chess Championship at the age of 10.
Unfortunately, when Heath just turned 11 years old, his parents separated
Ledger discontinued his studies to pursue a career in acting when he was hardly 17 years old,
Career
Heath Ledger got two big opportunities in his career in 1997 in the form of ‘Roar’ and ‘Home and Away’.
Roar was a fantasy action adventure series while Home Away was a soap opera targeted at Australian audiences.
Heath Ledger’s role as Toby Ackland in the 1997 thriller ‘Blackrock’ marked his movie debut.
In 1999, in the blockbuster American comedy flick ’10 Things I Hate About You’, Heath played a character named Patrick Verona.
At the same year he also started in the Australian crime flick ‘Two Hands’.
The movie gave him a nomination in the ‘Best Actor’ category.
After many years of off and on, Heath Ledger finally became a part of the Hollywood icon Mel Gibsom starrer, ‘The Patriot’ in 2000.
The same year, Ledger also became a part of the ensemble cast of ‘Monster’s Ball’ as Halle Berry.
During the 2000’s he starred in many films namely ‘A Knight’s Tale, ‘The Order’, The Brothers Grimm’, ‘Casanova’, and many more.
However, his career took a lift when he became a part of film called ‘Brokeback Mountain’, as a gay character directed by Ang Lee.
The movie won him a lot of recognitions and even catapulted him to the status of being one of the most bankable actors of the film world.
Heath Ledger’s next release was the 2006 flick ‘Candy’, which was loosely based on the novel.
The same year he also ventured into direction and filmed a music video for a track of the Australian hip-hop album ‘Cause an Effect’.
Personal Life
Heath Ledger was in love with well-known actress including Naomi Watts, Lisa Jane and Heather Graham.
He started dating actress Michelle Williams while filming for ‘Brokeback Mountain’, in 2004.
The couple gave birth to baby girl Matilda Ros after a year.
Unfortunately, his relationship with Michelle turned sour and they had to split.
Awards and Achievements
Heath Ledger’s role in the movie ‘Candy’ won him a ‘Film Critics Circle of Australia Award’ in the ‘Best Actor’ category.
He won the ‘New York Film Circle Award’ in the ‘Best Actor’ category for ‘Brokeback Mountain’.
Tragic Death
Heath Ledger was found unconscious at his apartment in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan on January 22, 2008,
He was found lying in his bed by his housekeeper, Teresa Solomon, and his masseuse, Diana Wolozin.
According to reports, Wolozin used Ledger’s cell phone to call his friend, Mary-Kate for help.
Hollywood Life reported after his death, the medical examiner found a cocktail of perception drugs in his system.
The toxic mixture is enough to kill just about anyone. Doctors claimed his death as result of accidental overdose.
Ledger left behind his beautiful daughter who was only two years old when he died.
Michelle Williams knew of his drug problems and tried to get him to enter into rehab.
Unfortunately, they broke up because of Ledger’s substance abuse just a short time before his death.
The Dark Knight
Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Joker in maverick filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s flick ‘The Dark Knight’ made a history.
After Ledger died, the film went to become a top-grosser worldwide.
Heath Ledger was posthumously felicitated with the ‘Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor’ and a ‘Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor’ for ‘The Dark Knight’.
Many critics as well as audiences compared his performance with the works of yesteryear greats like Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.
This role as Joker made Ledger immortal in the film industry.
Ledger’s dedication towards his work has earned the respect of the whole film fraternity.
Although he is no more, his performance as Joker is still known for being one of the great acting of all time.
