A Life Worth Celebrating
On January 22, 2008, Hollywood lost one of its most promising and diverse actors to a bitter tragedy. In his Manhattan apartment, Heath Ledger was found dead due to an accidental overdose from prescribed sleeping pills. The world stood still upon hearing the grave news, and the words that seemed to come out of most people’s mouths were: “He was just too young.” Though reflecting on Heath’s relatively brief life and career, we can trace how his 
humble beginnings developed him into a passion driven individual before he was catapulted to fame and stardom. It was a journey that we can all celebrate rather than mourn.
Heath Ledger was born in Perth, Australia on April 04, 1979 to Kim and Sally Ledger. Turbulent times fell upon the family when Heath was only eleven years old. His parents divorced, and so Heath was forced to go back and forth from each parent’s home. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2006 Heath mentioned, “It set me up for this bohemian life I’ve been leading,” “I feel like I’ve been traveling with the same bag since I was 11,” when asked about his take on having divorced parents.
While attending GuilfordGrammar School, Heath found himself with an affinity for the arts and sports. Despite his school’s militaristic atmosphere, where students were trained as Cadets, Heath spent his energies on sports such as cricket, Rules football, and field hockey. Of course, there was also acting. When Heath watched his sister Kate perform with her Shakespearean troupe on stage one night it made such an impression with the young boy that he decided that he too wanted to be a part of what went on the stage. So in addition to plastering his room with abstract art, Heath also participated in theater productions. He took the lead in one production of Peter Pan. It’s said that several of his teachers discouraged him in his pursuit of acting. Heath was infuriated, but, nevertheless, used his frustrations to strengthen his resolve.
Early on in his life, Heath never considered a career in cinema. He was content in watching other people in movies. Gene Kelley was one of his favorites. By teaching himself to dance, like his idol, Heath was granted the opportunity to teach and choreograph sixty of his fellow schoolmates in order to compete at the Rock Eisteddfod National Dance Competition. Coming away with a triumphant victory, it was one of the first instances when Heath’s talent and dedication became known to those around him. Turning sixty testosterone driven young men into graceful and choreographed dancers was definitely not a simple feat. One could only imagine the amount of work Heath had to endure in order to earn the respect to lead his fellow schoolmates.
In 1992 Heath still had no aspirations to be an on-screen actor, though the possibility did cross his mind. It was mainly due to his sister Kate’s talent agent that Heath was suddenly sucked into an on-screen career. He was cast as an extra for the movie Clowning Around, as well as for the Australian television show Shipped to Shore. In 1995 Heath was cast in his first major television role. In the series Sweat, another Australian production, Heath played a gay cyclist; a character which he believed would give him more public attention considering the taboo and the controversy which surrounded the subject of homosexuality in television in Australia. Unfortunately, the show was not a success and was dubbed by critics as “wretched.”
The years that followed proved to be of equal disappointment. Heath participated in a number of flops. But Heath persisted on pursuing his career. At 16 he quit school and went to Sydney with his good friend Trevor DiCarlo. Money became scarce for the young actor, and so was forced to take on any role he could fill. He starred in minor roles in the suspense movie Blackrock, and later had a small part in the children’s movie Paws. Heath even took a job in the long-running Australian soap Home and Away. Despite his seemingly bad luck in landing roles, Heath made important connections that proved to be detrimental to his future success.
His big break eventually came in the form of a television series titled Roar in 1997. Heath played the main role of a Celtic prince whose weekly rival was none other than Longinus, the soldier who speared Jesus Christ. The show might have been cancelled, but it proved to be the last flop Heath would find himself in. Heath’s next starring role was for the Australian movie Two Hands, where he was said to have given “a strong performance.”
Two years after, Heath’s career took a turn for the best as he was cast for a major role in the blockbuster romantic comedy Ten Things I Hate About You, which is a contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Everything was smooth sailing for Heath after that. After starring in a few more hit movies, Heath was nominated, for the first and last time, for best actor at the 2005 Academy Awards due to his unforgettable performance as EnnisDel Mar in Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain.
Owing his success of breaking free from the “Hollywood heartthrob” label to fellow actors and mentors, namely Mel Gibson, Billy Bob Thornton, Geoffrey Rush, Roland Emmerich, and Terry Gilliam, Heath earned his credibility, mainly through their guidance, as one of the most diverse actors in Hollywood in his time. He was truly a force to be reckoned with, much like his portrayal of Batman’s arch nemesis The Joker in the upcoming summer film The Dark Knight. It’s a performance that will truly serve as a final testament to Heath’s illustrious career, and let his unfaltering dedication to his craft shine for many years to come.
