Heath Ledger, Dead at 28

On Tuesday afternoon, January 22, 2008, Heath Ledger was found dead in his SoHo apartment in New York City. He was 28.

I don't really know what to say about someone who I don't even know. I can't say that Heath Ledger was a great friend, or that he was fun to be around. I can't say that he was happy or sad. I can't even say what kinds of food he liked or disliked. I can only say two things about him. One, he was a great actor (one of my top five modern actors). And two, he was not in the news for any real celebrity foolishness.

For an actor of such, relatively, little acting experience, Heath Ledger was exceptional. He mastered the ability to make you like his characters, and to make them seem real. He showed a range that spread from comedy to action / adventure to drama. And he was able to portray each character with a quiet power that other actors of his age and experience sorely lacked. Am I saying this just because he is dead? Hell no. Just watch Brokeback Mountain and you will see. Heath Ledger is able to take his character throughout decades, aging the character as the film goes on, without the use of any real makeup or special effects. He was like an actor of old, like a Henry Fonda or a William Powell; he acted his roles, and acted them well.

In today's Hollywood, Heath Ledger was downright boring. According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Ledger), Heath Ledger had only three "scandals" to his credit. One was a run in with the paparazzi (happens). One was his perceived demeanor during a formal announcement (chalked up to "stage fright"). And one was erroneous information that he relayed that he heard (in truth, the info was only 50 years off the mark). In Hollywood, with that record, Heath Ledger should be put up for sainthood!

So I don't have much to say about the man, but I will say that he was a great actor and, apparently, a gentleman. I pray that his family and friends find the strength to get through this time of loss.

Heath Ledger, may you rest in peace.

Heath Ledger (April 4, 1979 - January 22, 2008)