# 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:** 7
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/121 "2008-01-23T00:05:46Z")
Gosh I liked him and are completely stunned. But right now, I feel incredibly sad for Michelle Williams. I don’t believe I ever read the reasons for their breakup, but could you imagine that she’s going to be devastated to lose the father of her and possibly, someone she was still deeply in love with. RIP to Heath and many good thoughts to his loved ones. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@Miss\_Purl\_McKnittington](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Purl_McKnittington)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/122 "2008-01-23T00:06:05Z")
How awful. “10 Things I Hate About You” was my first date movie. I’d always sort of associated it with that tingly, young love feeling. This is sort of . . . unsettling. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/123 "2008-01-23T00:09:24Z")
Holy crap. I’m just shocked. I had been looking forward to see his portrayal of the Joker. This is going to lend a degree of poignancy to his performance which I hear is great. There are going to be a lot of Monday-morning comparisons to the actor’s life and his role. All death is a loss, but in his case, there is now so much lost potential. ---
**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, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/124 "2008-01-23T00:11:02Z")
**Swallowed My Cellphone** , many people who post here work in the industry, and may have known or worked with Ledger, and may have insight to Heath’s personality. My impression for some time has been that Ledger was depressed. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/125 "2008-01-23T00:19:29Z")
I am very surprised. Being a former user and abuser, I tend to notice when folks are headed down that path, and I never expected Heath Ledger to be on that list. I feel awful for his daughter. And maybe **Walloon** started off on the wrong foot in this thread, but things seem cool now, so let’s not drag it out. Of COURSE someone is going to claim to have “the inside story of the real HL.” It’s the way of the world- there is always someone who wants their 15 minutes of fame on the back of someone else’s tragedy. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/126 "2008-01-23T00:24:34Z")
Whom do I pit? ☹ ---
**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/127 "2008-01-23T00:25:56Z")
He’s one of those great young actors who would’ve shown up on award nights for years to come. You could just tell he was going to stick around. Guy’s like Paul Walker and Chad Michael Murray will eventually fall by the wayside but you could just tell he was one of the young guys who would shoulder the heavy rolls for years to come. While any death is sad, this one is especially depressing for me. Stay healthy Ryan Gosling and Joseph Gordon Levitt… I know it’s embarrassingly selfish, but it’s going to be very tough for me to enjoy **The Dark Knight** now. I used to be so pumped for this movie… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Real\_Thing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@The\_Real\_Thing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Real_Thing)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/128 "2008-01-23T00:28:57Z")
Wow, I left the house about 2 minutes before this thread was posted, so I’m just finding out now. What a shame, it’s going to take awhile before this sinks in. I’m having trouble wrapping my head around it, you know? R.I.P., Heath. ---
**Author:** ![phungi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/phungi/32/395_2.png) [@phungi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phungi)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/129 "2008-01-23T00:29:33Z")
[QUOTE=Washoe] I started a thread about him 2 hours ago on another message board, and within 5 minutes some fundie Christian came along and informed us that this was God’s way of punishing him for portraying a homosexual. :rolleyes: [/QUOTE] [QUOTE=foolsguinea] Whom do I pit? ☹ [/QUOTE] The folks who run [this site](http://www.godhatesfags.com) are always a good start… ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/130 "2008-01-23T00:32:57Z")
[QUOTE=faithfool] Gosh I liked him and are completely stunned. But right now, I feel incredibly sad for Michelle Williams. I don’t believe I ever read the reasons for their breakup, but could you imagine that she’s going to be devastated to lose the father of her and possibly, someone she was still deeply in love with. RIP to Heath and many good thoughts to his loved ones. [/QUOTE] well said **MsFool** … **Walloon** … chill out…this is a memorial thread! :smack: … I had no idea who **Heath Ledger** was before this thread but I do know what gief is…please, wallon, look it up. I felt grief tremendous over loosing my grandpa…jerry garcia…lowell george…susan butcher…and a slead dog that Karen Ramstead lost last year…I would NEVER step on a friend/posters need to express hassle free grief …get it? :dubious: to all the other jokesters…let it be…start a pit thread if you need to 😕 rip **Heath Ledger** and to your friends and family…heartfelt supplications. tsfr ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/131 "2008-01-23T00:34:09Z")
[QUOTE=phungi] The folks who run [this site](http://www.godhatesfags.com) are always a good start… [/QUOTE] Meh, anymore, the Phelps’ have pretty much jumped the shark. They’re a joke. Personally, I’d be _proud_ to have them picket MY funeral. That’s not to say they aren’t vile. ---
**Author:** ![Cyros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a698b9/32.png) [@Cyros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyros)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/132 "2008-01-23T00:34:24Z")
I don’t think there’s been any evidence he was abusing drugs and reports are saying he was surrounded by sleeping pills. I’m not sure how likely his death was accidental. In any case, I find his passing to be such a shame. He was a talented actor, a dedicated father and was only 28 years old. Tragic. ---
**Author:** ![FaerieBeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e95f7d/32.png) [@FaerieBeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FaerieBeth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/133 "2008-01-23T00:34:29Z")
[QUOTE=drm] I know it’s embarrassingly selfish, but it’s going to be very tough for me to enjoy **The Dark Knight** now. I used to be so pumped for this movie… [/QUOTE] I was absolutely stunned when I opened up the CNN homepage and saw this. About the same time I sat down at the computer to read the news, my husband’s cellphone rang. When I actually did shout out, “Oh My god!”, I could hear my husband saying, “Yep, I think she’s just read it”. His coworker (with whom he shares a comic book appreciation) had called him to give the update. As for the upcoming movie, _The Dark Knight_, I wasn’t planning on going to see it at all, as I’m not a comic book kinda girl, but I will most definitely go along to the theater with **Stonebow** , now, to see one of Heath Ledger’s last roles. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/134 "2008-01-23T00:34:40Z")
[QUOTE=foolsguinea] Whom do I pit? ☹ [/QUOTE] Ledger, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![beckwall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/b487fb/32.png) [@beckwall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beckwall)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/135 "2008-01-23T00:37:15Z")
[QUOTE=Delly] When I heard about this first I was convinced it was a mistake, or a bad joke, sadly not. I hope his death was accidental and not suicide as has been rumoured. Such a waste of talent.. [/QUOTE] I know you mean well, but…if life becomes unbearable, as it may have in the case of suicide, then illogical thinking may reveal that it would be a waste to hang around until age 80 or so. It’s certainly not an easy decision to make, especially with a small child involved. But I hope people remember him for his acting chops and not second guess his death. His performance in Brokeback Mountain was incredibly and profoundly touching to me. I will always remember him in better times as a beautiful and soulful man. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/136 "2008-01-23T00:38:44Z")
I think it may depend on your demographic. My wife knew Renfroe, but did not know Ledger. I knew both. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/137 "2008-01-23T00:39:12Z")
[QUOTE=EJsGirl] Ledger, sadly. [/QUOTE] Don’t jump to any conclusions. His family is saying he had pneumonia and the police are saying that all signs appear that it was accidental overdose. ---
**Author:** ![ThisSpaceForRent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thisspaceforrent/32/345_2.png) [@ThisSpaceForRent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThisSpaceForRent)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/138 "2008-01-23T00:40:38Z")
> [@](#): > > but I do know what gief is GREIF is…dang spelling… :smack: sorry, tsfr ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/139 "2008-01-23T00:41:55Z")
[QUOTE=lisacurl] Don’t jump to any conclusions. His family is saying he had pneumonia and the police are saying that all signs appear that it was accidental overdose. [/QUOTE] An accidental overdose of what? Antibiotics? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575/140 "2008-01-23T00:47:23Z")
[QUOTE=ThisSpaceForRent] GREIF is…dang spelling… :smack: sorry, tsfr [/QUOTE] Strike two [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heath-ledger-is-dead/434575.md?page=8)