# Heath Ledger is dead! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 22, 2008, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575 "2008-01-22T21:49:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/261 "2008-01-23T18:08:02Z")
[QUOTE=want2know] Something I just noticed today: In at least 2 interview clips, Ledger is rubbing his face and chin. Not thoughtfully, but almost compulsively. I know this is total hindsight, but couldn’t that be construed as a sign of some sort of drug addiction? Not passing judgment here, you understand; just curious. [/QUOTE] In one of those clips I noticed the same thing, like he was trying to pull his chin off while he was talking. His hair was really disheveled and he was wearing what looked like long johns and suspenders. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/262 "2008-01-23T18:10:22Z")
[QUOTE=want2know] In at least 2 interview clips, Ledger is rubbing his face and chin. Not thoughtfully, but almost compulsively. I know this is total hindsight, but couldn’t that be construed as a sign of some sort of drug addiction? Not passing judgment here, you understand; just curious. [/quote] I’ve heard a couple of different interviewers making the same observation. They all recalled during various interviews they’d had with him how he was often very twitchy and apparently uncomfortable. The implication seemed to be that they had always just assumed it was just his manner or that he was particularly unhappy being interviewed but that in retrospect it could have been a indication of a drugs or mental problems. > [@](#): > > As regards **Dark Knight** , I think this could serve to boost the box office, being Ledger’s final film role and all. Not that it needed it, but possibly some non-genre fans could now be interested in seeing the movie. And don’t think for a minute that the advertising people won’t exploit the “final role” angle. I don’t think there is much doubt that this will be a HUGE boost for the movie and the studio has got to be quietly counting it’s blessings. Hell, some of these Superhero films have actors under contract for 2 or 3 films, with the latter movies having bigger payouts. He might have been a real bargain in the first film. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/263 "2008-01-23T18:16:11Z")
[QUOTE=Omniscient] I don’t think there is much doubt that this will be a HUGE boost for the movie and the studio has got to be quietly counting it’s blessings. Hell, some of these Superhero films have actors under contract for 2 or 3 films, with the latter movies having bigger payouts. He might have been a real bargain in the first film. [/QUOTE] I wouldn’t have seen it otherwise, but this has more to do with the clips of him as the Joker and how compelling he made it seem, so props to Heath for that. ---
**Author:** ![Walloon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/fbc32d/32.png) [@Walloon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Walloon)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/264 "2008-01-23T18:22:11Z")
[QUOTE=SamuelP.] What does this mean for the Batman movie? I’m sure someone out there is a big enough fan to know what’s happening with the movie right this instant. [/QUOTE] The Batman movie had completed all of its filming and post-production work with Ledger, so at least from that aspect there is no problem. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/265 "2008-01-23T18:25:37Z")
[QUOTE=want2know] In at least 2 interview clips, Ledger is rubbing his face and chin. Not thoughtfully, but almost compulsively. I know this is total hindsight, but couldn’t that be construed as a sign of some sort of drug addiction? Not passing judgment here, you understand; just curious. [/QUOTE] What I’ve noticed in multiple interviews is that he seems very clear and focused, and gives coherent answers to questions, but everything that’s not his face is twitchy and constantly moving. It’s like restless legs, but all over. Which strikes me more as someone with really severe insomnia - usually tweakers on meth or heroin aren’t so well-controlled with their speech, y’know? WhyNot, -also not intending to be judgey, just observational ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/266 "2008-01-23T18:34:09Z")
[QUOTE=WhyNot] usually tweakers on meth or heroin aren’t so well-controlled with their speech, y’know? [/QUOTE] On yes, coming off of, not so much. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/267 "2008-01-23T18:38:15Z")
The latest [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) story says the autopsy was inconclusive; it’ll take another 10 days for the blood analysis to come back. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/268 "2008-01-23T19:12:52Z")
[QUOTE=SkipMagic] On the other hand… **Hippy Hollow** , accusing someone of being a troll is allowed only in the Pit. If you feel someone is trolling, report the post and let a mod handle it. [/QUOTE] My bad… but I meant the last “t” to stand for “threadshitter.” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/269 "2008-01-23T19:15:19Z")
[QUOTE=Omniscient] Do you have any kind of support for this claim? I haven;t heard anything else echoed on any of the news coverage and it’s never been mentioned on any of the Hollywood blogs. In this day and age of TMZ, Superficial and Perez Hilton there’s simply no such thing as a “open secret” in Hollywood, especially as it concerns a popular, young, attractive performer. [/QUOTE] Yeah, I realized after I posted that I’ve got no way to support my claim except for the always vague claim of having friends in the entertainment industry. Big deal, right? I’d say there are still ‘open secrets’ in the industry e.g. celebrities who are ‘out’ to everyone but the general movie going public, big box office celebs who do drugs recreationally but never get addicted (or keep their addictions secret and go to rehab for ‘stress’ or alcohol). ---
**Author:** ![anu-la1979](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@anu-la1979](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anu-la1979)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/270 "2008-01-23T19:22:58Z")
This is really too bad. I’ve always found him so damn charming in every thing he’s ever appeared in and he stole the show in one of my all-time favourite teen movie “10 Things I Hate About You” (second only to Better off Dead). ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/271 "2008-01-23T19:42:38Z")
[QUOTE=Elendil’s Heir] The latest [CNN.com](http://CNN.com) story says the autopsy was inconclusive; it’ll take another 10 days for the blood analysis to come back. [/QUOTE] What? On CSI, they can point their magic sensor gun at a molecule of someone’s blood and ten seconds later they know what caused that person’s death, not to mention their height, weight, hair color, city of birth, and sexual habits. What the hell’s taking so long? ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/272 "2008-01-23T19:47:34Z")
Aussie dopers, what’s the coverage of his death like in Australian media? ---
**Author:** ![Catamount](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/catamount/32/2840_2.png) [@Catamount](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catamount)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/273 "2008-01-23T21:53:34Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] What? On CSI, they can point their magic sensor gun at a molecule of someone’s blood and ten seconds later they know what caused that person’s death, not to mention their height, weight, hair color, city of birth, and sexual habits. What the hell’s taking so long? [/QUOTE] Hodges is on break. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/274 "2008-01-23T23:49:32Z")
And here comes Fred Phelps. ---
**Author:** ![JohnM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/848f3c/32.png) [@JohnM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnM)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/275 "2008-01-23T23:57:19Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] And here comes Fred Phelps. [/QUOTE] Try [this](http://www.godhatesfags.com/written/fliers/20080122_heath-ledger-brokeback-mountain.pdf) link instead. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/276 "2008-01-24T00:02:12Z")
D’oh! Actually meant to link [here.](http://www.kbsd6.com/Global/story.asp?S=7763918) ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/277 "2008-01-24T00:12:57Z")
I suppose that the death of an actor means that there is a spike in the rentals of their films. I guess I’m going to have to wait a while before I see Brokeback Mountain. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/278 "2008-01-24T00:26:16Z")
[QUOTE=alphaboi867] Aussie dopers, what’s the coverage of his death like in Australian media? [/QUOTE] Just as you’d expect: front page coverage: “tragic”, “a light has gone out”, 'loss of a great Australian" etc. Public interest seems to be split between those who are mesmerised/traumatised by the news and those who have just shrugged their shoulders. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/279 "2008-01-24T01:38:24Z")
[QUOTE=Cunctator] Just as you’d expect: front page coverage: “tragic”, “a light has gone out”, 'loss of a great Australian" etc. Public interest seems to be split between those who are mesmerised/traumatised by the news and those who have just shrugged their shoulders. [/QUOTE] I’ve been watching the Australian Open and haven’t heard a mention of it. I actually was wondering if Lleyton Hewitt knew him. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2008, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/280 "2008-01-24T04:21:04Z")
[CNN.com](http://CNN.com) has this collection of anecdotes about him - can’t vouch for their accuracy, but it’s worth a look for his fans: [I-Reporters recall meeting kind, handsome Heath Ledger - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/Movies/01/23/remembering.ledger.irpt/index.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575.md?page=15)