Heathcliff Andrew Ledger was born in Perth, Australia, April 4th 1979 to proud parents Kim and Sally Ledger. Of both Scottish and Irish descent, Heath and his sister Kate were named after the two main characters in the classic novel Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. Growing up and attending the Guildford Grammar boys School, Heath displayed talent in both sport and drama. In fact he was selected to play on the State U17 squad in field hockey but he opted to pursue acting as a life goal.

Heath in 1995 in a promo shot for the series "Sweat"

Shy by nature his first ever acting role was playing Peter Pan in a local theatre company at the age of ten. By the young of twenty-two he was said to be earning as much as three million per film.

At the age of sixteen he graduated early from high school and went to Sydney to try to make it as an actor. Between 1992 and 1997 he got minor parts in rather unsuccessful Australian TV-shows. In 1998 however he scored the part of Scott Irwin in the hit-series ”Home and Away” which led to bigger things. He was hosting a variety show in Sydney in 1998, when Touchstone Pictures offered him a role in the teen film 10 Things I hate about you, a modernized adaption of Shakespeare’s ’The Taming of the Shrew’.

In the movie we meet Cameron, the new guy at school, who really wants to take out one of the school's most popular sophomores, a girl named Bianca. His only problem is Bianca is only allowed to date if her cranky older sister, Kat (portrayed by Julia Stiles) is. Cameron struggles to find a guy willing to date Kat, and manages to trick a rich boy into paying the scary badass Patrick Verona to take her out. Patrick and Kat fall for each other, but the truth is destined to come out. In the film Heath Ledger melted the hearts of millions of teenage girls.

The film went on to earn more then 50 million dollars in the box office and is still one of the most loved teen films of the last decade.

After 10 things I hate about you Heath was afraid of being labeled as a teenage heartthrob and turned down several teenage-flicks, much to the concern of family and friends. Looking back he once remarked, ”I start to get bored, not with the choices I was making, because I didn't really have a choice. The choices were being made for me -- I was being thrown into projects. So I kind of put the brakes on that. In a sense, I destroyed my career to rebuild it again.” He’s also been quoted as saying, ” If you just be safe about the choices you make, you don't grow.” After a dry spell Heath signed on to star alongside Mel Gibson in the epic drama The Patriot. The film made more then two hundred million dollars world wide and introduced Heath to a whole new audience of movie goers.

Next up was the film A Knight’s Tale for which he earned a three million dollar paycheck. After this he starred in movies like The four feathers, The Brothers Grimm, Lords of Dogtown Ned Kelly – for which he was able to return to his home country Australia. He played iconic character Casanova in the film of the same name. “Since my profession had wound me up, I needed something in my profession to wind me down. I couldn't just go home; I would have gone mad. So I went to Venice, floated around the city, drank wine, ate pasta. I needed to just breathe, relax . . . and got paid for it.”

In 2000 he told Vanity Fair Magazine, "I only do this because I'm having fun. The day I stop having fun, I'll just walk away. I wasn't going to have fun doing a teen movie again.... I don't want to do this for the rest of my life....I don't want to spend the rest of my youth doing this in this industry. There's so much I want to discover."

In 2004 Heath stared shooting Ang Lee's movie Brokeback mountain with Jake Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway and Michelle Williams. The movie about two gay cowboys and their twenty year love affair became a

major blockbuster when it was released in 2005 and Heath recieved an Oscar nomination for it in 2006. Brokeback mountain also proved to be a success in Heath's personal life, that's where he met Michelle Williams. ”She's my soul mate and we couldn't love each other any more than we do already. We're like two peas in a pod,” he once said. The two later got engaged and had a daughter together, Matilda Rose, in Fall of 2005. "Matilda is adorable, and beautifully observant and wise. Michelle an I love her so much. Becoming a father exceeds all my expectations. It's the most remarkable experience I've ever had - it's marvelous." Heath gushed.

Heath proved to be a loving father for Matilda, even taking a year off from acting in 2006 to raise Matilda while Michelle worked. He said this to the Boston Globe: "I'm Mr. Mom,. I get [Michelle] granola and cook her an egg, I clean the dishes, and then I'm cooking lunch. Later, I go out to the market and get fresh produce for dinner. And I love it! I love my new job." And at another point remarked, ” My life right now is, I wouldn't say reduced to food, but my duties in life are that I wake up, cook breakfast, clean the dishes, prepare lunch, clean those dishes, go to the market, get fresh produce, cook

Heath and Michelle in a photo shoot for the ONE.Org Campaign

dinner, clean those dishes and then sleep if I can. And I love it. I actually adore it.” Unfortunately Heath and Michelle split split in 2007.

In a statement on Heath’s death in February Michelle said, "My heart is broken.. I am the mother of the most tender-hearted, high-spirited, beautiful little girl who is the spitting image of her father. All that I can cling to is his presence inside her that reveals itself every day. His family and I watch Matilda as she whispers to trees, hugs animals, and takes steps two at a time, and we know that he is with us still. She will be brought up in the best memories of him."

Heath and Jake in Brokeback Mountain

Heath also remained good friends with his Brokeback Mountain costar Jake Gyllenhaal, Jake is even Matilda's GodFather. Though he has made no statement to the media Jake is said be very upset about Heath's death and has temporarily halted production on his new film Brothers to mourn his friend.

In the afternoon og January 22nd 2008, Heath’s massage therapist found him dead in bed in his apartment in SOHO, New York. The results of his autopsy revealed accidental overdose of prescription drugs.

Prior to his death Heath had completed filming on the Batman film The Dark Knight in which he played the Joker. Heath is currently the youngest person to ever play the iconic comic book character and his performance is said to be phenomenal. Undoubtedly fans will be flocking to the cinema when the film is released in July to see Heath on the movie screens for one of the last times. He said of the role in 2007, ” The Joker, so far, is definitely the most fun I've had with any character. He's just out of control -- no empathy, he's a sociopath, uh, a psychotic, mass-murdering clown. And, uh, I'm just thoroughly, thoroughly enjoying it. It's just exceeded any expectations I had of what the experience would be like.”

At the time of his death Heath was filming the movie The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. The film tells the story of a man who travels into three alternate relaities and due to the nature of the story the film makers have found a way to still release the film. The scenes he had filmed will remain present while Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell will play interpretations of Ledger's character in the three alternate realities.

Flowers outside Heath Ledgers NYC Apartment

We have lost a shinning star, a mother has lost his son and most importantly a little girl has lost her doting father. Hundreds of fans have paid their last respects outside his New York apartment as well as memorial services has been held in both New York and Los Angeles before his body was brought back to Perth, Australia for its final rest.

His last completed movie The dark knight where he played the role of ”The joker”, Batman's worst enemy with a sick clown-like appearance, The dark knight» is premiering worldwide in july 2008.

R.I.P Heath Ledger...

Fan Comments:

"Heath Ledger was absolutely gorgeous both inside and out. He truely was one of the greatest actors of this generation. His death is devastating and my heart goes out to his family and friends. Especially his little daughter, Matilda. Heath always gave stunning performances in every role he took on, his talent was so special. Especially in Brokeback Mountain, the emotion he showed was breathtaking. Heath always came across as a kind hearted, intelligent man and after every interview he did you would just fall in love with him even more. Even though he is gone, his movies and memories will forever live on and he will never be forgotten as one of the most talented actors to grace or screens." - Rebecca

"He was a very dedicated actor and acted in movies that had 'Heart' like him. He will be sadly missed ;(" - Hillary Ann

"Heath was a great young actor who put his soul into his caracter its a big los for family friends and fans" - chantal kraaijeveld

"I will always remember you. You were a great actor. I'll see you in your last movie." - Melinda

"He was a really great actor and had so match Talent in him, I will always reamber him I think alot of people will. Rest In peace Heath Ledger" - Kelli

"I love him! Its so sad..." - Joanna

"Heath Ledger was the a real actor doing an amaizing job with his passion. I'm sad we won't be honoured ofhis presence of our big screens anymore..." - Maxime

"Heath Ledger was a talented actor in Hollywood, my thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in theie time of need." - Tiera

"I loved Heith because he made every part of his look as if it is the perfect one for him,also he always managed to make people love his char and that is something very important.I believe he will stay in the hearts of his fans for many years to come! RIP Heith!" - Reny Ivanova

"You were not only a fine actor, but a handsome young man in his prime. The world of acting is sad to see you go, along with the millions of fans." - Aisha Mahmud

"Heath Ledger was one of the greatest actors everand his way to deliver lines will never be matched. Therefore we will all miss him dearly." - Ashleigh

"Heath was such an amazing actor. He did movies ranging from 10 Things I hate About You, to Brothers Grimm, to Brokeback Mountain, Candy, and his last, The Dark Knight. His skills to BE the character was flawless and his talent could have only grown bigger. I'll miss him because he was the face of the Hollywood I wanted to watch." - Len

"I was never a huge Heath Ledger fan, but I enjoyed watching him in movies. I thought he was supremely talented and my heart goes out to his friends and family." - Brittany

"I'll miss Heath, cause he was a brilliant actor, a great person & a lovely father to his daughter. May he rest in pease. God bless his family!" - Judy

"I loved Heath because he was a great actor! It's so sad that we won't see him anymore, but I love you Heath and best wishes to his family!" - Becky

"This loss is heartbreaking as well as Heath being a talented actor. He was a great person and doting father,its tragic that he's daughter will grow up without him by her side." - Kaila

"I am gonna miss heath ledger because he was such an amazing actor. As soon as I saw 10 things I hate about you I was hooked. He was incredibly hot, everyone agrees i'm sure. He was so young and it sucks soo much that there will be no more Ledger action to come. Make sure y'all watch Batman when it comes out. R.I.P Heath x x" - Emma-Sherrill

Fun Heath Facts:

He was the co-founder of record label Music Masses Co with singer Ben Harper, and directed Harper's video for the song 'Morning Yearning'.

Great Heath Fansites Heath Heathens

Heath Ledger Wallpapers From Portrait Wallpapers

Heath Ledger Films Which is your favorite? The Dark Knight I'm Not There Candy Casanova Brokeback Mountain The Brothers Grimm Lords of Dogtown The Order Ned Kelly The Four Feathers Monster's Ball A Knight's Tale The Patriot Two Hands 10 Things I Hate About You Current Results