Damn.
I still can’t believe Heath Ledger is dead.
28 years old. Father of a two year old. Such a promising future ahead of him.
I’ll admit it: I had a fangirl crush on him. When I first heard the news, my chest felt heavy and my throat tightened. This is a sick joke, I thought. He was on my List of 5, after all, and earned his spot on that list from the first moment I ever saw him on the short-lived TV series Roar.
I had noticed that he didn’t look as put-together recently. Ever since his split with Michelle Williams, he seemed to stop taking care of himself. The low-key yet still stylish sense of fashion was replaced by unwashed hair, wrinkled clothing, and a worn-out, troubled expression on his face. Maybe he was depressed over his relationship issues. Maybe his latest roles had taken too much out of him. I can’t say. But the change was noticeable.
We all stop and gawk when a celebrity dies, especially if they’re young. But I guess this one is hitting me hard because he wasn’t one of the usual suspects. He wasn’t a celebrity party-boy, he wasn’t in trouble all the time, and he seemed like an average, quiet, down-to-earth type who just wanted to do his job and be left alone. You didn’t look at him and see another Anna Nicole Smith in the making.
At this time, there’s still no answer as to what happened, but it seems that investigators have centered on two theories, either accidental or intentional overdose on the prescription sleeping pill Ambien. I’d like to think it was accidental, because I find it so hard to wrap my mind around the thought that a man who professed how much he loved being a dad would intentionally leave behind his two year old daughter. And now that daughter will likely never remember those happy times they had together.
It sucks, and I am sad that I will no longer be able to see more from him. I enjoyed his acting and respected the decisions he made in the roles he accepted. But I’m also sad for his family, and seeing this tragedy makes me hug my two girls a little tighter and be thankful for each day I am here for them.
You’ll be missed, Heath.
He was on my Five too. Dangit. 🙁
Such a loss.
I didn’t hear about this! It’s always such a tragedy when someone young dies. I feel for his family, that they can’t grieve the way most people can, in private and without public controversy.
I don’t have a list, but he was definitely one of my favorites, and hubby’s favorite young actors, too.
I was in complete shock when I saw this reported yesterday afternoon.
Such a senseless tragedy. I feel for Michele and their daughter. So awful.
I, like you, hope this was an accident.
I have to agree with you. I enjoyed his work, and I was very saddened when I read of his loss. I especially am sad for Matilda, his little girl. I can only imagine what it will be like for her, as I know my girls LOVE their Daddy like no other person…hopefully Michele can keep his memory alive for her…along with his family.
I was crushed too when I heard about his death. I think it was because no one ever expected a young actor, with a daughter and a promising career would die.
I too hope this was an accident…what a tragedy.
It does suck, Christina. I was shocked when I heard the news. It is tragic when someone dies so young. I felt like I got kicked in the gut when JFK, Jr died….major crush on him.
It is truly a tragedy when someone who had so much talent goes before their time. The fact that he had a young daughter who he obviously adored makes it even more sad and awful. Thank you for writing this tribute.
I hear you. I was unnaturally upset about it when I heard the news.
You wrote exactly how I feel about this sad occurrence. I still find myself thinking about what his family must be going through right now. My heart goes out to michelle and his daughter. So sad…
I’ll just say I’m glad to hear you took him off the list.
I was so shocked as well. It didn’t make sense. It still doesn’t. I just thought he was a wonderful actor on a good path. He wasn’t a train-wreck celebrity by any means. And what scares me is that he died at twenty-eight. I’m twenty-eight and I can’t imagine leaving this world at such a young age.
May Heath rest in peace.