I have to admit that upon hearing the death of actor Heath Ledger today January 22, 2007, I was shocked beyond words. Of course the way I heard it today was also hard, as I jolted from sleep hearing one of my roomates running down the hall of our dorm screaming, “Heath Ledger died!” I had never sprang out of bed so fast in my life as I quickly looked up on my computer to see the nightmare was true. Heath Ledger had passed away, but of course with Hollywood there were so many rumors that you couldn’t believe anything.
At first I couldn’t imagine that bright young boy who had shone as he danced on the risers of “10 Things I Hate About You” singing “I love you baby,” simply disappearing from this world. I first saw Heath in the comedy/drama “A Knight’s Tale” and simply fell in love with him. I have always respected him for his diverse roles and being able to absolutely capture his characters both heart and soul. I have spent the day in a sadness not only for his death but for the many things he has come to leave behind. Not only does he leave an unfinished film but a two year old daughter who will now never get the chance to fully know her father.
Of course with the media nobody can look at television or read on the web without getting mad. It is truly sad how people can see the death of young man as a chance to say the world is a better place without him. It seems people do not know when to respect when a person has died anymore. People who think he committed suicide are mad because they say what right do actors have to be depressed. Sorry to say but actors aren’t robots, but humans as well, they feel depression, sadness, and anger just as easily. Especially since they have cameras shoved in their faces constantly, its hard not to be frustrated with that. But of course nobody knows for sure what has happened yet so its best not to say anything for sure.
The true shocker for me was seeing that Heath was only 28 years old. For as long as I have idolized Heath I never realized how young he was. For me now it has been hard to believe how such a promising young man could be taken from this world so quickly. The same question I pondered a year ago when a close friend of mine committed suicide at the age of 18. It just goes to show how life is truly precious and how you can not take anything for granted.
Heath Ledger was a promising young actor who still had so much to give. Now all we can do is step back and remember that bright young boy who sang “please let me love you” and made all our hearts warm on the dreariest day. Heath was a wonderful actor, father, and person who was tragically taken from this world much too soon.
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com
Sad, If he lived to 68, he would have had 40 more years, imagine how he could have helped others, let alone his daughter.
I don't see what the big fuss is. People just like him die every day, they're just not famous. I could care less if he died, yes it is sad, but he's like everyone else. If he was a normal 28 year old, you would never hear about this.
Rest in peace
yourfuneralguy
http://www.lowercostfuneral.com
Point well taken, it happens everyday, and it is sad every time it happens.
I think the big deal here is that people could identify with him. People die everyday, but even so, many of those who "knew" Heath Ledger, have never had to deal with loss. When you have someone that people respect and appreciate that passes on and that someone is in the limelight, it affects people on a larger scale. Whereas if I were to die today (and I certainly hope I don't!), the people around me would grieve, millions didn't identify with me or turn to me for entertainment. It would be a big deal for those close to me, but not to millions of people.
And then of course, when you have someone promising that you expect great things from die surrounded by pills you have all sorts of unanswered questions. You see it more publicly with people like Ledger because he was so well known, but the process is the same elsewhere. It's just not done in such a big, public way.
And when you add to those questions controversy about drug abuse in Hollywood and tactics of the media (such as TMZ), it becomes an even bigger deal because it gives people issues to talk about and focus on. And if it works well, something to change for the better. And if it doesn't, merely something else wrong with the world that everyone complains about but not one attempts to fix.
-----
Soar high and laugh on the wind
~Fallon~
"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."- Thoreau
-----
Yes I know it happens every day....why do you think the inclusion of my best friend who died there. And believe it or not my friend, many would say he got a bigger fuss than Heath Ledger. The point I was trying to make that a young life no matter how it has taken is tragic. Yes he was an actor, but to me he was a young man.....I'm sorry if people do not construe it that way then I'm sorry...but this is my opinion, and I am entitled to it.
Cheers,
Megan Gulick
"Sorry to say but actors aren’t robots, but humans as well, they feel depression, sadness, and anger just as easily."
Regarding this statement, it's often easier for actors to evoke these emotions because that's what they do for their jobs. All the emotions displayed on their faces in movies are at least somewhat real, and the more realistic they are the more it shows.
R.I.P Heath Ledger